I'm upgrading my computer later this summer but I got sidetracked a little bit and went into water cooling. I ended up buying a DangerDen water cooling setup

DangerDen MAZE4-1 CPU block
DangerDen MAZE4 GPU Block
XremeII radiator
2x Evercool 120mm fans (to place over the Xtreme II radiator)
Eheim 1250 317 GPH pump
Dual 5 1/2" bay reservoir
4oz Zerex Coolant

AND

a 226W Potted Peltier w/ pre-cut neoprene
Imax = 24 Amps
Qmax = 226.1 Watts
Vmax = 15.2 Volts

For condensation I have the kit that DD provided which includes

==all the pre-cut neoprene specifically cut for the 476 and for the MAZE4-1
==dielectric grease
==Conformal Coating

Im assuming that that will be enough for the peltiers because I live in a cold place with humidity that only goes up to about 21%

Right now all the equipment is in the mail, and I would like to order a second 226W peltier unit for my FX5 video card. I know my software but I don't know anything about wattage, current, resistance or any of the "hard" stuff. What power supply would power both peltiers and be stable? Could I just buy a 500w power supply like the one in my computer currently or should I buy a PSU like the Mean Well one sold by DD? The pump is self-powered and everything else is currently on my primary PSU so I would only need to power the two 226w peltiers.

First question...why? I can appreciate an answer of "just because", but not that you are looking for performance. Pelt cooling is a pain to maintain, and with two 226W pelts you will need two power supplies to run them. Each one of them will pull 15 to 20 Amps so having just one would mean you have to run a real powerful PSU.

I'd recommend that if you want to cool with a TEC, you run a 100W pelt on the GPU and get 2 PSU's; one for the computer and one just to power the pelts.

What is your condensation control plan?

I'm helping a friend build a massive water chiller using 4 180W pelts. You might consider building your own power supply, you could try the schematic here: http://www.overclockers.com/tips1054/ But, I'd definitely work on cleaning it up a little if you want it to directly cool the CPU/GPU. I wouldn't trust the fluctuations which would occur in the circut he presents for direct cooling.

edit: typos.... ugh..... they following me

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita First question...why? I can appreciate an answer of "just because", but not that you are looking for performance. Pelt cooling is a pain to maintain, and with two 226W pelts you will need two power supplies to run them. Each one of them will pull 15 to 20 Amps so having just one would mean you have to run a real powerful PSU. I'd recommend that if you want to cool with a TEC, you run a 100W pelt on the GPU and get 2 PSU's; one for the computer and one just to power the pelts. What is your condensation control plan?

About condensation- I have the standard kit coming from DD. It comes with all the stuff mentioned in the edited initial post. I also have a silicon sealant.

Meanwells are solid PSUs. Would they be able to power both 226w pelts or a 226 and a 100w Pelt? If I was to go 226-100 what PSU would you reccomend?

Quote: Originally Posted by CRE I'm helping a friend build a massive water chiller using 4 180W pelts. You might consider building your own power supply, you could try the schematic here: http://www.overclockers.com/tips1054/ But, I'd definitely work on cleaning it up a little if you want it to directly cool the CPU/GPU. I wouldn't trust the fluctuations which would occur in the circut he presents for direct cooling. edit: typos.... ugh..... they following me

Waaaaay over my head. I'm a software guy who knows NOTHING about electronics.

Bump: I edited the initial post.

Quote: Originally Posted by raviadso Waaaaay over my head. I'm a software guy who knows NOTHING about electronics.

First of all, if what you said above is true, then I'd suggest you take a BIG step back and do a lot more research.

A power requirement of 326W is huge. At 12v your power supply will have to push 27.167 amps.... and that's not just peak. Some pelts don't operate very well at 12v (most actually) meaning you'll see a loss in the cooling potential, so try to dig up the specified voltages, most work best with anything from 14v to 24v. Of course the higher the voltage the lower the amperage needed. The way to calculate the wattage supplied is Voltage * Amperage = Wattage.

Yes, Meanwell PSU's are well known for their reliability, but, they're also expensive, especially when you're looking at a unit which'll provide 350W or more... about $300+ from what my search turned up (I'm sure you could find one for less... I only looked at a few sites). The Meanwell which DangerDen offers http://www.dangerden.com/mall/Pelts/psu.asp only provides 300W, although you could use two of them which'd still be cheaper at $118.35 ea and give you a considerable amount of overhead.

I personally would either use two of those units or get a single unit rated at 375W or higher to ensure the pelts run effeciently and to avoid the possibility of over taxing the PSU from constant usage at the top of its rated output.

A good, albeit dated, source of info regarding peltiers is Gideon Tech's A Guide to Peltiers. http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/218/1

Quote: Originally Posted by CRE A good, albeit dated, source of info regarding peltiers is Gideon Tech's A Guide to Peltiers. http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/218/1

There is some good information on Gideon but most of the water cooling stuff is ancient. They are using 60 watt peltiers and the processor chart only goes up to 1ghz.

CRE's speaks truth. I won't go any further than that except to say I am writing an article on this very subject as we speak.

Guys like CRE and lcpiper have the knowledge, heed their advice.

Quote: Originally Posted by raviadso There is some good information on Gideon but most of the water cooling stuff is ancient. They are using 60 watt peltiers and the processor chart only goes up to 1ghz.

True, I did say it was dated material. But , the principle's te same and the equations still hold. You just need to know the specs of your components.

For P4's look here: http://processorfinder.intel.com/scr...ALL&CorSpd=ALL

For AMD look here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...82_739,00.html

For your GPU see the manufacturer's website.


BA- A writeup on this is a great idea! If I can help in anyway just lemme know.

Quote: Originally Posted by CRE True, I did say it was dated material. But , the principle's te same and the equations still hold. You just need to know the specs of your components. For P4's look here: http://processorfinder.intel.com/scr...ALL&CorSpd=ALL For AMD look here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...82_739,00.html For your GPU see the manufacturer's website.

Great link! Thank you.