When does condensation start to form with...

[Blind_GI]

Air cooling?

What I really mean is what CPU and system temperature will start to produce condensation? So far I have gotten my System Temps down to 5c and my CPU down to 18.5c with all stock coolers (I had my comp sucking in 28f air from outside) and did not have any condensatio. Here is a screenshot of my temps so far:

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/1003/And1drew413/3D_Mark_01_-_21682.JPG

Anyhow my BIOS temps are obviously different from these temps, when Winbond read 18.5c for my CPU my BIOS read 26c and something like 12c for my system. So would I have to reach 0c before I start seing condensation from my air cooling (32f/0c is freezing obviously)? Should I be alright up to 1c or 2c for my system temp and CPU temp (I won't get it this low but with my MCX478 I hope to reach 7c through winbond)?

-Blind_GI :cool:

[afireinside]

:|
You have to have a temp below ambiant to get condensation...

[charlie]

condensation comes from the meeting of cool air and warm, moist air. If there IS no warm moist air....For example if your rig is up on the window sill with the window open, the entire inside of the case will be like 6C...but the metal on the case that faces the inside of the room may be 25C and moist if yer' sis is taking a shower down the hall...so the condensation would form on the metal of the case facing the inside of the house. I used to do that when I lived up north!

C

[Blind_GI]

Man im a moron aren't I :mad: :(

I just never understood how condensation was formed, and never took the time to learn/lissen :(

Ok so if the ambient temp outside was 28f and my room temp was 55f but my case was practically outside (but still in the room) then I would be safe up to -2c or somethign along those lines? As long as my CPU/Sys was warmer then -2c then I would be fine right?


Alright Charlie I think I got that down, so I don't really have anything to worry about right? And I keep all moisture out when I do this and wair for a dry day outside ;)

Man could you believe im 17 and still don't (well do now) know how condensation was formed :stick: Dam I am stupid :cry:

[will_perdikakis]

Well, neither of those two are entirely correct.

Condensation occurs when something gets below the dew point of the ambience...

Cold dry air, has a very low dew point.

To calculate dew point, you need to at least know ambient temperature and humidity.

[charlie]

Originally posted by will_perdikakis
Well, neither of those two are entirely correct.

Condensation occurs when something gets below the dew point of the ambience...

Cold dry air, has a very low dew point.

To calculate dew point, you need to at least know ambient temperature and humidity.

Of course, but I was keepin it simple! :D

[Blind_GI]

See Will is confusing little old me now ;)

Damet now im confused on what the Ambeint temp is... :( Is it my case temp or my room temp or the outside temp :confused:

[Gary Lloyd]

Simpler yet: Wrap a little wet toilet paper around your temperature sensor and wave it around in the air. The coldest temperature it gets to is your dewpoint. Condensation will form on any surface that is at or below this temperature.

But then, that is your current dewpoint. It could change tomorrow.

As a rule, any surface that feels cool can use some more insulation. Any surface that feels cold needs more insulation. Any surface that frosts is screaming for insulation.

Insulation is our friend. :D

[will_perdikakis]

I love Gary Lloyd.

[Formann]

Insu-what? :D

http://privat.bluezone.no/forman/images/DSC00085-S.JPG

[afireinside]

You sir, are INSANE! What temp ambiant and water?

[Sovereignty]

Now THAT is some condensation.

Thanks for that tip on finding the dew point Gary. Never knew about that.

[r4z]

You're crazy!

[Formann]

Originally posted by afireinside
You sir, are INSANE! What temp ambiant and water?

Heatexchanger is placed outside, where the temp is apr. -13c .. Watertemps are ~0c .. I run my HE-fans on 5v or else my water freezes up on me. I really should inuslate and put some antifrezze in my water.. but im a bit to lazy. Normally the humidity is low, so i dont get TOO much condensation.


I have already gotten some black-screens, and then its hairdryer time :D The GFX seems to endure water.. tho the screen goes black until its dry again.

[Sovereignty]

Man you could have a decent sized drink from the outside of that tubing. Must be nice having temps that low though :)

[Formann]

Originally posted by Sovereignty
Must be nice having temps that low though :)

Indeed it is.. gets my 9800Pro benchable @ 512core umodded. Shim still in place too.. contact is not to great. Hope to do 520 without shim.

[Karnivore]

Originally posted by Formann
I have already gotten some black-screens, and then its hairdryer time :D The GFX seems to endure water.. tho the screen goes black until its dry again.


One of these times it isn't going to come back:eek:

[sKiTz0]

Originally posted by Blind_GI

then I would be safe up to -2c or somethign along those lines? As long as my CPU/Sys was warmer then -2c then I would be fine right?

basically, the only way youre going to get condensation on a surface is if that surface is colder than air that is hitting/coming into contact with it. Usually needs a decent difference for any signifigant amount. Im not sure where your logic is as far as your safe point. Basically, your safe point is nothing on your computer that is signifigantly colder than the air around it should go uninsulated. With air cooling, this is all but a non factor. Charlie did provide a scenario where it could have some effect.. that is your motherboard tray (assuming its in a case) is cooled by the air from outside.. but warm, moist air from a shower nearby contacts the tray. The moisture in this air would indeed condense on the colder tray. Another possible example is if you have your heatsink/motherboard down to low temperatures ~0C or so, and you were to move close to it and breathe on it, your breath would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20C. You would be able to observe the condensation form right before your eyes, but its such a minute amount that it would evaporate quickly. The same concept is what forms the fog on glass in winter that you can blow on and write with. The only time I would be concerned with condensation in your situation would be if you closed the window and left the cpu running, and you have a well heated house. The abrupt rush of warm air *could* form condensation on some parts of the mobo that arent very hot could retain a cool temperature for some minutes, possibly shorting something. Realistically, you have little to worry about. If you want to be on the safe side, turn the computer off before shutting your window, and give it a couple of minutes to make sure any trace of moisture is gone.

[Stang_Man]

to get condensation when air cooling... that's like, impossible??

[afireinside]

Air cooled pelt ;)

[Blind_GI]

Ok I think I get it all now ;) Man should have paid attention a few years ago in 9th Grade Science (we learned about this then lol).

Anyhow now that this is all settled up im going to go for another extreme (meaning below freezing outside air) air cooled bench as soon as the temps drop below 20f outside.

Right now I have way to much Thermal Paste on my CPU, thats why my temps go nuts when under load. If my Idel temp is 20c, then my load temp would be 45c or 50c! That means way to much Thermal paste, and I think thats whats limiting my OC now (its getting to hot under load). I can get into windows at like 3.8 with no probs, but once I start intensive programs my temps rise alot and everything goes to he11 ;)

[will_perdikakis]

Originally posted by sKiTz0
basically, the only way youre going to get condensation on a surface is if that surface is colder than air that is hitting/coming into contact with it. Usually needs a decent difference for any signifigant amount. Im not sure where your logic is as far as your safe point. Basically, your safe point is nothing on your computer that is signifigantly colder than the air around it should go uninsulated. With air cooling, this is all but a non factor. Charlie did provide a scenario where it could have some effect.. that is your motherboard tray (assuming its in a case) is cooled by the air from outside.. but warm, moist air from a shower nearby contacts the tray. The moisture in this air would indeed condense on the colder tray. Another possible example is if you have your heatsink/motherboard down to low temperatures ~0C or so, and you were to move close to it and breathe on it, your breath would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20C. You would be able to observe the condensation form right before your eyes, but its such a minute amount that it would evaporate quickly. The same concept is what forms the fog on glass in winter that you can blow on and write with. The only time I would be concerned with condensation in your situation would be if you closed the window and left the cpu running, and you have a well heated house. The abrupt rush of warm air *could* form condensation on some parts of the mobo that arent very hot could retain a cool temperature for some minutes, possibly shorting something. Realistically, you have little to worry about. If you want to be on the safe side, turn the computer off before shutting your window, and give it a couple of minutes to make sure any trace of moisture is gone. Did you read any of the rest of the thread?

BTW ambient temperature could be very near dew point. How would you explain dewey grass in the AM?