Viability of Vapochill/Phase cooling on FAH boxen

[marty9876]

Greetings to the Xtreme Stanford Folding Team!
:banana:

I've got a question about the above title and figured I'd come ask the folks who are the best at it. Would it be realistic to use a Vapochill setup on a heavily overclocked system for 24/7 operation under FAH?

My basic thinking is take a QX6700 or what not, quad core chip, pair it with some high end RAM/big old PSU and motherboard matching. Cool the box way down, overclock the heck out if it and run the SMP client under nix.

Price aside, the objective would really be quickest WU return times instead of max PPD/$ box. That aside, running the SMP client on a ~ 4.2 GZh quad box should net ~ 4500PPD.

Let me know your thoughts if you could.

Thanks,
Marty

:woot:

[SparkyJJO]

Basically, the faster the CPU is run at, the more points you can get. Use whatever means necessary (air, water, phase) to get to that max stable speed to get those max points :D

If I had a phase unit that could get me some insane clocks to get even more points, I sure as heck would do it :toast:

Just as a note, I know absolutely NOTHING about phase, what size unit you need for what speed of CPU, etc......

[[XC] moddolicous]

You would have to do a FANTASTIC job on insulation. Also, I'm not sure a stock vapochill could handle a QX6700 @ 4.2. There are a few guys on WCG that run a vapochilll/ Mach 24/7, but not on a quad core.

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

if you're looking for performance-per-dollar, then phase cooling probably won't make too much sense, between the high pricetag of the initial investment and the long-term powerbill impacts.

[marty9876]

This "project" has nothing to do with anything logical. Just an all out attempt on seeing how quick a WU can be turned basically. PPD not the objective.

Performance per dollar thrown completely out the window.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

You'd probably have to get the Vapochill modded or retuned for that high of a heat load. Jinu117 was testing out some Vapos on Kentsfields, and it seems they aren't designed for that kind of heat load at all.

[uclajd]

Although Jin could likely mod a Vapo to handle a quad's heatload. Having been in his workshop, I think he can do it. :p:

You'd probably have to get the Vapochill modded or retuned for that high of a heat load. Jinu117 was testing out some Vapos on Kentsfields, and it seems they aren't designed for that kind of heat load at all.

[WindForce]

My main rig in sig is with stock Vapo, crunching 24/7 for Rosetta then WCG and lately F@H. It's been crunching at this pace for +-18 monthes now.
First, i heard of mean insulation issues with the kensfields/conroes and the vapo, and second, you cannot run an insane overclock 24/7 ( last time i did it my trusty hairdryer did some overtime trying to dry out the mess, since the rig just got bsod, but vapo kept cooling it ). Depending on the chip, i guess you could go 30 to 50% if you wish to leave it 24/7.
...and it's true, electricity bill is prohibitive for vapo...

[[XC] moddolicous]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=130922
Perfect thread with what you are looking for (well, pretty close at least).

[[XC] gomeler]

I am an avid phase builder and user and I would only suggest phasecooling a kentsfield if
1) You don't care about your powerbill
2) You understand that you could potentially fry everything
3) You are willing to deal with the noise and heat
To cool a 4.2GHz kentsfield you are looking at a 1/3-1/2 HP compressor that'll easily suck 400 watts from the wall. These 400 watts will get dumped into your room along with the 250 watts the kentsfield will be dumping so be prepared for that. I've run my e6400 at 4.2 GHz @ 1.525 volts for 2 weeks and I didn't have a single problem so while there are a lot of things against it, it is a viable solution. You just need to weigh how much the additional ~400-500 MHz is worth and if the heavy investment in the unit and the operating costs are worth it. Also realize that not all kentsfields are capable of hitting insane clocks, some peak very low no matter how many volts you pump through em. The article that moddolicious linked to voices the concerns we have been having over the heat output of a kentsfield so it should also help you reach a decision. I would suggest going with a custom build from a builder within mailing distance as they can tune the system to a specific load. Best of luck and if you go phase, welcome to the sub-ambient club :)

[MrDeeds]

First, i heard of mean insulation issues with the kensfields/conroes and the vapo, and second, you cannot run an insane overclock 24/7 ( last time i did it my trusty hairdryer did some overtime trying to dry out the mess, since the rig just got bsod, but vapo kept cooling it ). Depending on the chip, i guess you could go 30 to 50% if you wish to leave it 24/7.
...and it's true, electricity bill is prohibitive for vapo...

Many people run phase 24/7 without issues and if your computer bsods and reboots or shuts down your controller is supposed to turn the compressor off. Gomeler is correct in stating that a kentsfield is going to pull major juice and that is a concern but it really depends on your immediate area and power rates in your state. I havent found that using phase is incredibly inefficient as some think. I personally think its ineffiecient to have to buy a big typhoon, scythe infinity, or tuniq tower every couple months trying to cool my cpu down an additonal couple degrees when your still pretty much running in place.

[marty9876]

Ok with potential of loosing entire rig- check
Draw an un-natural amout of power from the wall- check
:slapass: - check

Thanks for the input. All in all, does not sound like a good match right now. Heat produced by QX6700 is greater than a pre canned phase solution can currently deal with. The larger model of Vapochill could work with it (right on the boarder) but no longer available (?).

Ahh, off to the next great FAH idea!

:woot: