Heat pipes & cold??

[[XC] Hicks121]

Do heat pipes not function correctly when it is subzero air temps? My rig is in the shed & it is -8c out. The temps on the cpu are 57c(full load) average for my 4 cores. It seems strange that they are that high.

Am I assuming right about the pipes not liking the cold???

Thanks
Hicks

[cegras]

Shouldn't be the case. If the base of the heatpipe where the working liquid is vaporized is above whatever vaporizing temperature (let's say .. 20C) then the liquid should still vapourize and head up the pipe to be cooled.

[xlink]

Shouldn't be the case. If the base of the heatpipe where the working liquid is vaporized is above whatever vaporizing temperature (let's say .. 20C) then the liquid should still vapourize and head up the pipe to be cooled.

it takes a bit for that to happen should the contents be frozen

[cegras]

Contents shouldn't be frozen provided he didn't power down his computer.

If he did, it's possible that the liquid inside froze, but after a few minutes the 'problem' should rectify itself.

[RyderOCZ]

I don't know 100%, so take this with a grain of salt.

If the heatpipe is too cold, then whatever is in a heatpipe cannot change state, therefore will not release the energy that it is designed for, this would kill efficiency and its quite possible this is why you see the high temps.

I do not know where I read it (hmm think UnG post in the last couple of days) but someone said they don't like the cold.

EDIT: Here we go...possible explanation by Alexio: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171283

[[XC] Hicks121]

Thanks RyderOCZ for the link. Yup I think im just going to bring into the house & put it into my coldbox in the basement.