SPECIALBLEND218 has a new review up on another interesting CPU cooler that leverages the power of the TEC. The CoolIT Systems Freezone CPU cooler is an interesting cooling solution that leverages the power water cooling as well as TECs AND comes in an easy-to-install package.

Check it out here.

Awesome job on the review Todd. Looks like CoolIT has a pretty nice product on their hands, well yours that is...

I hate to interject here, but I thought that review was amature and incomplete. There are six TEC's? Where are they? How are they integrated into the system to help the cooling? What is the fluid they are using? And most importantly, knowing how much draw a TEC has on a power supply, how much draw does this system require? What kind of power supply is needed to support it? What does no maintenance mean? I can install it and never worry about it again?

There are people who will read this review who are running old CPU's with old gear. The impression given by this review is that anybody can buy it and never worry about heat again. That isn't the case. Please correct and post an addendum.

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita I hate to interject here, but I thought that review was amature and incomplete. There are six TEC's? Where are they? How are they integrated into the system to help the cooling? What is the fluid they are using? And most importantly, knowing how much draw a TEC has on a power supply, how much draw does this system require? What kind of power supply is needed to support it? What does no maintenance mean? I can install it and never worry about it again?

I had many of the same questions and I dug around and found them. To anyone that's wondering.

The coolant is just regular low concentration polyproplene glycol mix. They claim it doesn't need to be changed since it's an air tight system.

They also make the following (absurd IMHO) claim to it's power usage on their website.

Quote: Originally Posted by CoolIT Systems While the TECs do use power under heavy load, the system reduces power consumption at the die level due to lower operating temperatures.

It actually uses 56watts off the 12 volt line peak.

The rest of the questions though - I haven't been able to figure them out yet.

Good info IA, but should have been included in any professional review. When you get the gear as payment, it becomes professional.

EDIT: 56W????

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita EDIT: 56W????

Yep, 56 watts peak. I was thinking about it several months ago, and I called BS automatically on their FAQ and emailed them directly. It took two rounds with them back then to get that info. My guess each of the pelts are about 5-7 watt units, the controller turns more on as needed. But between the price tag and the unit's size (remember I use mATX) - I nix'd the plan.

I felt that the review was missing some important information, i mean i use a dilluted glycol in my system, however its airtight but i still gotta flush and change fluid.... Thier claims are hype and not well supported...

Not to cause a staff bash here, but I have to agree...the review was a bit thin. The first read through I was looking for where the TECs were. Spesh, it always makes for a better review when you do some homework above and beyond what the manufacturer claims, but considering this was your first...I think you did very well. It's apparent you did the lab work, and it surprises me that if indeed the CoolIt uses 56W how much overhead there is left in the average PSU that the extra power draw didn't show a loss or cause any issues.

Their claim of less power usage at the die level does carry a bovine fecal aroma. Until I see figures proving a signifigant wattage savings on the PSU, it sounds like spending $100 to save a dime.

56W is achievable using certain methods Im betting the pelts are Controlled with PWM (Pulse width Modification- Basically a train of Pulses). When Using This method, Current used is Reduced By (Some Number- I do know PWM uses Less Current, But How much I wouldnt know- It depends on the App). However, There is the Other Possiblity that Its a SMPS PSU (a Switch Mode Power Supply) which uses Less current than PWM. Even If they were low Wattages Pelts, Each pelt would still need A lot of current, Unless they were Specially manufactured.

Did the Pelts Plug into the Board? Where Did it say 56W, Did I miss something?

Where are 6 Pelts? OH I remember where, They Are Inside the Big Unit thingy..Youd expect them to be on the waterblock, but one would notice there isnt any wires running to it. I think you should have pointed out this (Maybe take it apart and show us where they are, and How they are connected Thermally?)

However, This review Does Prove that Cooling water with Pelts DOES work...(If they cool water, Or maybe they cool the rad somehow..Im still curious to see how they are actually integrated into the unit..)

Quote: Originally Posted by Nerdz Did the Pelts Plug into the Board? Where Did it say 56W, Did I miss something?

You missed the part where I said I've emailed CoolIT Systems a few months ago with those questions and that's the answer I finally beat out of them. Also back in 2002 or so lcpiper did a proof of concept on pelts as water coolers instead of directly placed on the die (computer specific) but we all know pelts work well water chilling, because it's been done for decades.

It’s always safe to say there is no FREE cooling. With every thing there is a risk or a downside.....
I am sure everyone here knows the downside to pelt cooling......

With most current cpus being churned out today....Unless you have an amazing board with unlimited FSB....you can reach the boards limits by using air coolers....Today’s chips are more efficient and use a hell of allot less voltage....

This kit like all pelt kits I have seen just doesn’t hold ground IMHO....

Maybe some new testing...but could we weigh the benefits versus the downsides...and I am sure you will find this no more then a big novelty item.

Even water-cooling is fading out on current and next gen processors......

The air coolers are so damn good anymore it’s hard to want to take risks like that unless you’re going for NOISE solutions.

Just my two cents...

Get that NOCTUA HSF before you waste your money on this....
Digi

Digi is 100% correct. Pelts have been around for many, many years and if there was any value in using them over other methods, they would be much more common. I used a TEC in a system several years ago just to see how well it worked, and it was way too much hassle compared to the benefits.

Low powered TECs are easily overwhelmed by the CPU and become and insulator, it takes at least 180W or better to be effective. Then you have to ensure that you are cooling the TEC properly or again, you end up with a heat blanket instead of a cooler.

lcpiper's Pelt Chiller worked quite well, but if I remember correctly he used a 172W (or something near that) and it required two very good heatsinks and fans to keep the hot side cool enough for the cool side to work.

A Noctua is much more simple and probably will provide better performance at all voltage levels.

56 watts seems really low.... I struggled to get 16c with my 120watt design a while ago before i moved on to something else

http://forums.pcapex.com/extreme_coo..._revisted.html

Instead of a normal TEC setup were the water cools the hot side while the cold side is on the CPU. The cold side meets the water and the hot side is cooled by the black radiator in the middle. There is 6 TECÂ’s total (3 on the bottom, 3 on the top). The TECÂ’s are in series of 3. So they don't have 12v into each but 4v into each TEC.

I'm sorry I couldn't get online earlier but I have run into a train wreck. I was visiting the family and flying back my second plane broke so I was stranded at the airport for longer then I wanted. I get back home and fire up the computer and let it run as normal. Head to class and come back to a black screen. I look at my computer to see my video card drenched from condensation with a CPU temp of 2c and ambient of 24c, assuming this is at load too because I run folding at home but couldn't tell if the computer restarted or if it was still running and the video went out. This bothers me because I was running it at the factory settings. Which during the testing the cooler never got anywhere near these temps.

I have pictures, but I need to get the camera cable back from my friend and upload the pictures of the condensation leak. I still feel this cooler can take what ever CPU can be thrown at it. But this fluke condensation error is a major issue. It ran fine for well over a week, but out of no where this happens.

IÂ’ll try to answer everyoneÂ’s questions in a bit, but I need a nap, IÂ’ve been up for about 36 hours straight, and I have finals this week.

edit:
Iateronmly, I'm glad to see you got some information out of them, I sent them two emails over a two weeks ago and haven't gotten response yet.

Here are some pictures from the incident. I guess the TCM didn't work as it should is the only guess I have to what happened.

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Quote: Originally Posted by SPECIALBLEND218 Here are some pictures from the incident. I guess the TCM didn't work as it should is the only guess I have to what happened.

Wow, Are you going to lower the score because of this? Was any other hardware damaged?

well the very idea behind a TEC is to go sub ambient and when you go sub ambient... You get condensation... sucky deal that happened... hopefully coolit will work with you on it.

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro well the very idea behind a TEC is to go sub ambient and when you go sub ambient... You get condensation... sucky deal that happened... hopefully coolit will work with you on it.

Quote: Originally Posted by CoolIT Systems Because of the extreme cooling capacity the Freezone product provides, there is a TCM (Thermal Control Module) built into the system to protect against over-cooling and condensation. The TCM regulates the amount of power that is applied to the TECs and exhaust fan. The TCM will automatically vary system level output to adjust for changes in both ambient temperature and CPU load. This complies with Energy Star standards.

I thenk sumethin dudn't werk write...

yep and given the fact thier product failed and killed your VGA i bet, i would be contacting them...

Quote: Originally Posted by SPECIALBLEND218 I thenk sumethin dudn't werk write...

Sorry to hear bout that special blend. Why does the liquid look greenish in that one picture?