Adequate to Extreme PC Cooling Methods - Your Own Phase Change Unit
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If you decide to build your own phase change unit then I'd like to emphasize the crucial importance of the attributes of the capillary tube. There are two variables that you must not neglect: its diameter and its length! These factors regulate the efficiency of your phase change unit as a cooling system. They determine the coldness of the liquid that changes its phase as soon as it arrives in the evaporator, and then sucks up the heat.
What if you don't want to build your own? Designing and building a unit like this isn't a piece of cake; it requires hard work, time, research and experience. Fortunately, there are more than a few excellent units shining on the market. These perfectly engineered products offer mind-blowing cooling efficiency, upgrade flexibility, superior user and control features, safety and relative ease of management.
However, be prepared to shell out a relatively high amount of money. High quality and reliable products do not come cheap! If you cannot afford one then rethink your needs. Do you really need it? Are you an enthusiast, cooling freak or extreme overclocker looking for more headroom? If yes, then you'd better start saving up some money and surprise yourself with a beauty like this. You will be amazed…
Before we finish this section, I'd like to recommend two of the most popular, reliable and best-bang-for-the-buck products currently on the market. The first one I want to recommend is AseTek VapoChill LightSpeed. At the time of writing this article, it costs US$849.99. However, it sports amazing features and capabilities. Check out AseTek's main page for more information.
(AseTek VapoChill LS - photo courtesy of AseTek.)
Another bleeding edge phase change unit is the Prometeia Mach II GT. Right now it costs US$899.99. For more details about this product, check out the manufacturer's website here. It is built by ECT - Extreme Cooling Technology.
(Prometeia Mach II GT - photo courtesy of ECT.)
Now let's talk about the downsides of phase-change cooling systems. First, there is the power consumption. They need to be plugged in constantly, whenever your system is on. They can almost double your overall computer's power consumption. While paying a bit more for your electricity bill might be acceptable, there's another con. It's an ecological one.
The extended use of these refrigeration units may further global warning due to the damage caused by the substances they use. These substances may cause ozone depletion. Second, as we discussed previously, their power usage is also an ecological issue. They are not energy efficient. All in all, it is up to you to decide if you care or not about the "well-being" of our world.
The last downside is its price. Both of the above two aftermarket units are US$800+. That's marvelously huge compared to other air or even water-cooling alternatives.
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