New Trend in PC Cooling: Immersing Components in Dielectric Liquid

by Tom Misch
in News, PC
on 5 June 2024

Innovations in PC cooling technology have taken a fascinating turn at this year’s Computex. While traditional methods involve the use of heatsinks and fans to dissipate heat generated by high-speed hardware, a new trend has emerged — immersing components in dielectric liquid. This unique approach to cooling not only brings a fresh aesthetic appeal to PC setups but also offers impressive performance benefits.

One notable example can be found at the ASRock booth, where a PC is submerged in what appears to be a fish tank. Upon closer inspection, the liquid is revealed to be a dielectric coolant, specifically a “perfluorocarbon coolant,” instead of conductive water. This collaboration between Intel, ASRock, Thermaltake, and Taimax has resulted in a highly efficient system that allows for wild overclocking and sustained high speeds without thermal throttling.

By immersing the components in the dielectric liquid, heat is effectively transferred into a cool bath, ensuring optimal operating temperatures. This method eliminates the need for bulky heatsinks and loud fans, presenting a more elegant and visually appealing solution for cooling high-performance PCs. Imagine showcasing your PC at a dinner party with a mesmerizing tank of bubbling liquid in the background.

Additionally, another eye-catching cooling solution was spotted at the Seasonic booth. A massive radiator, placed outside the case, was adorned with high-powered fans. This “go big” approach offers exceptional cooling capabilities and further demonstrates the industry’s willingness to explore unconventional methods.

While traditionalists might remain skeptical of these innovative cooling techniques, the immersion of components in dielectric liquid presents a promising alternative. Not only does it provide efficient heat dissipation, but it also adds a unique aesthetic element to PC builds. As the quest for optimal cooling continues, it will be interesting to see how this trend develops and whether it becomes a mainstream choice for PC enthusiasts.

Additional facts:
– Dielectric liquids are non-conductive fluids that do not conduct electricity, making them safe for immersing electronic components.
– The dielectric liquid used in PC cooling is typically a perfluorocarbon coolant, which has excellent thermal conductivity properties.
– Immersion cooling has been used in other industries, such as data centers, to effectively cool high-performance systems.
– The concept of immersion cooling in PCs has been around for several years but has recently gained more attention and popularity.

Key questions:
1. How does immersion cooling work?
– Immersion cooling involves submerging the electronic components, such as the CPU and GPU, in a dielectric liquid. The heat generated by the components is transferred to the liquid, which dissipates the heat more efficiently than traditional cooling methods.

2. What are the advantages of immersing components in dielectric liquid?
– Immersion cooling offers improved heat dissipation, allowing for higher performance and potentially higher overclocking capabilities.
– It eliminates the need for bulky heatsinks and fans, reducing noise levels and creating a cleaner aesthetic for PC setups.
– The dielectric liquid acts as a protective barrier, preventing dust and other contaminants from reaching the components.

3. Are there any disadvantages or challenges associated with immersion cooling?
– Immersion cooling requires specialized equipment and compatibility with dielectric liquids, which may increase the cost of implementation.
– Maintenance and cleaning of the liquid and components can be more complicated compared to traditional cooling methods.
– There may be concerns about the longevity and reliability of immersed components, although studies have shown that they can operate reliably for extended periods.

Key controversies or challenges:
– One potential challenge is the limited availability of compatible PC components specifically designed for immersion cooling. Currently, there is a relatively small number of products that are certified for immersion or liquid submersion applications.
– There may be concerns about the long-term impact of the dielectric liquid on the environment, especially if it is not properly disposed of or recycled.

Advantages of immersion cooling:
– Improved heat dissipation and higher performance capabilities.
– Reduced noise levels and a more aesthetic PC setup.
– Protection against dust and contaminants.

Disadvantages of immersion cooling:
– Increased implementation cost.
– Complex maintenance and cleaning processes.
– Limited availability of compatible PC components.

The source of the article is from the blog be3.sk