What Happens if you Water Cool an Air Cooler?
In a recent YouTube video titled "What Happens if you Water Cool an Air Cooler?" by Linus Tech Tips, the exploration of unconventional cooling methods takes center stage. This video dives into the intricacies of whether water cooling can be effectively applied to an air cooler setup while showcasing innovative engineering from ANC Tech.
Overview of the Concept
The video begins with Linus and his team examining a unique motherboard designed with industrial applications in mind, specifically for environments prone to dust, such as manufacturing floors. Unlike traditional designs, this motherboard features a CPU socket positioned on the back. This design choice aims to create a passive cooling solution that minimizes air intake for better dust resistance.
The Engineering Challenge
Linus highlights the engineering efforts of ANC Tech, which emerged from EDAC, a company specializing in high-tech inspection equipment. ANC Tech sought to create a motherboard that maintains thermal stability without requiring excessive fan use, making it suitable for industrial environments. The video showcases the complex assembly process, including the use of large heatsinks necessary for passive cooling, which additional cooling features are omitted to save costs.
Testing the Limits
Assembling the system, Linus humorously struggles with the unique design quirks, particularly the unwieldy heatsink that requires ample case space. Despite the challenges, he tests the setup with a standard CPU. Throughout the video, Linus and his crew monitor CPU temperatures using stress tests, noting that while the temperatures initially rise when pushed to the limit, the passive cooling system manages to stabilize under active conditions when submerged in water.
Dramatic Water Cooling Experiment
The climax of the video involves a whimsical and risky experiment where Linus decides to submerge part of the hardware in water to see how it would affect the cooling efficiency. As they pour water over the assembly, significant temperature drops are observed, driving points home with humor and excitement.
Final Thoughts
The experiment is not without its flaws. Despite achieving impressive cooling results, concerns are raised about the practicality and safety of using such a setup in everyday scenarios. Linus hints at future products aimed at gamers that will incorporate robust cooling solutions, perhaps making these engineering feats more accessible.
Engage with Us!
What are your thoughts on unconventional cooling systems? Have you tried creative setups in your builds? Share your experiences in the comments below! If you find these methods intriguing, check out related threads in the Water Cooler for discussions on PC cooling methods and hardware tips. Feel free to drop any questions or thoughts you have regarding high-performance PC cooling!