Liquid Cooling Photos

[Sun Baked]

I agree with just about the entire post, but, on this point - as a minor thing - I do think that, in addition to the pump system, there are two smaller heat pipes - at least that's what it looks like to me, attached to the heat sinks (not to the radiator). It looks like they are separate and not liquid cooled.

Of course, the pictures provided, while wonderful, aren't complete enough for me to be certain.

There are two cooling zones, the Power Supply and the CPUs.

They both used heatpipes in the previous version and were two distinct units.

The heat-pipe running through the huge set of stamped/stacked plates was replaced by the LCS, the Power Supply's voltage regulators are still cooled by the remaining heat-pipe.

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The daughtercards didn't change, only the massive stack of plates over the CPU.

 

[icon4x]

Condensation

Uh, not for home users? Seems like trouble to me. More crap that can break and cause problems.

This will be great in humid climates when condensation starts to form on the copper tubing.

 

[jsw]

Uh, not for home users? Seems like trouble to me. More crap that can break and cause problems.

This will be great in humid climates when condensation starts to form on the copper tubing.

The pipes will never be below ambient temperature, so why would there be condensation? Or are you referring to something other than the LCS in the G5?

Nothing is refrigerated, just cooled by air flow.

 

[pjkelnhofer]

Uh, not for home users? Seems like trouble to me. More crap that can break and cause problems.

This will be great in humid climates when condensation starts to form on the copper tubing.

Condensation occurs when humid warmer air comes in contact with a cooler surface, since the LCS will be the hottest thing in the computer box condesation will not take place. This is not a refridgeration unit, it is simply a way to move heat away from the processor.

 

[michaelal]

how would this thing last over time... this seems like something that could break easily and maybe ruin your entire computer.... 3 years in

This really bothers me too! What happens when all the rubber seals start to get old? Do you end up with a big mess and does the computer self-destruct because of too much heat? Don't really know, just asking.

 

[pjkelnhofer]

This really bothers me too! What happens when all the rubber seals start to get old? Do you end up with a big mess and does the computer self-destruct because of too much heat? Don't really know, just asking.

I think that the Dual 2.5 GHz G5 will be obsolete before you have to worry about the seals drying out.

 

[ifjake]

liquid cooling makes me kinda nervous. so i'll wait till apple gets really good at it. so is it the clock cycles that make heat? i remember reading this a while back and being incredibly intrigued.

 

[BanditBill]

Oilfield Computers and moisture

I would check the inside for leaks periodically, but it wouldn't be a big concern to me. I do oilfield torque control in Canada. I transport computers in the back of a pick-up at -30C. Winch them up onto a rig floor. Put them in a +20C doghouse (office on rig) and power them up immediately. (A perfect recipe for humidity).

I've left non water resistant systems in the rain (by accident) without putting the lid on the transport box. The box got filled with 2"+ of rain. We let the system dry out and no problems.

Look at your car and the heat and pressure on a rad hose. Hoses are made for various pressure, temperature and fluid types.

If it's not leaking new and out of the box you will likely never, ever have a problem.

Bill

 

[BanditBill]

more...

just thought I'd mention that I've been using these computers for more than 5 years and some of the units are more than 15 years old.

Bill

 

[pinkeye00]

G4 Dual 867 Watercooling Hack

You know something. I hacked in a water system to the Dual 867 G4 I had last year! This is nothing really strange. Its rather simply to put the kit in with a similiar setup.

Apple, hasn't done anything crazy here. The water techniques are 10 years old! IBM has a setup similiar to this in hiding for even longer than that for its big-blue projects.

Oh well. I'll see if I can't get the new owner to send me some pictures.

- john

 

[wdlove]

liquid cooling makes me kinda nervous. so i'll wait till apple gets really good at it. so is it the clock cycles that make heat? i remember reading this a while back and being incredibly intrigued.

I don't see any reason to be nervous about the liquid cooling. Apple has thoroughly tested this prior to release. The backup is AppleCare.

 

[edgarj]

Actual photo of LCS on Gizmodo

I'm not sure if this is already floating around on another thread, but Gizmodo posted these today (they were on TechSeekers, but removed at Apple's request).

http://www.gizmodo.com/