Condensation on my GPU TEC Cooling

[Goyo]

I have a R9800XT cooling by TEC (172W pelt at 18V). MCW50-T

Took the necessary precautions against the condensation:

Read here OCTools CONDENSATION PREVENTION:Socket Style.

I use a dielectric grease around the GPU Core, and just a thick layer of Dow Corning Conformal Coating (1-2577) on the backside:


When the MCW50-T used the 80W pelt, no problem at all, then finally switch it to 172W pelt, either without problem. I could use my Rig normally, no shorting or whatsoever.

Today, dismount the MotherBoard and the VidCard too and... I found a little pubbles of water at the backside

Now here is my question...

What do you recomend?

- Add more Dow Corning Conformal Coating (RTV) on the exist layer

- Put a thick neoprene gasket on the backside.

What is better?

Any advise?

Thanks in advance

Greetings.

[afireinside]

neoprene

[S_I_N]

neoprene thickness = insulation dow corning is just a water barrier it stops the water from getting where it dont belong. Adding more dow will just make the dow thicker not stop water. What ya can do is reapply the dow and then slap the neoprene on it and let them set together thereby making it act as an adhesive.

[megahurtz-oc]

174 tec doesnt get that cold. is the water coming from your cpu water block?either you have some cold water going to it or there is a leak. water is not from the gpu.

[sandman]

You need some neoprene. It's coming from the pelt.

Pick up a peice of 1/2" or thicker neoprene. You can use a couple layers of 1/3" or something too.

[Goyo]

Thank u for your advice and answers

Originally posted by megahurtz-oc
174 tec doesnt get that cold. is the water coming from your cpu water block?either you have some cold water going to it or there is a leak. water is not from the gpu.

The WaterBlock doesn't leaks, I'm very sure about that, because passes the 24hrs test. The water that I found, doesn't have Zerex Coolant, smell and taste - yugh! -.

I have a two pieces of neoprene 1/2" (thick) already; just need to know or decide, their size.

Previously, I cut a piece taking the base of the block as reference:





S_I_N and sandman, What do you think? maybe longer?, thick?

Another thing is... the neoprene is to thick, the mounting screws hardly stand out.

[S_I_N]

that should work fine. slap that puppy on a seal around the edges with either ur dow or some dieletric grease.

And yes a 172watt tec gets that cold all you have to do is get below ambient to get sweat.

[megahurtz-oc]

i ran a 172 watt tec on my gpu for a while and was pumping -25c fluid through the block my gpu gets colder without the pelt and yes the pelt worked fine.

[S_I_N]

true -25 water on a pelt is rudundant you passed the point of diminishing return. I had a similar issue as well. All I'm saying is that in order for condensation to form you have to drop below ambient and dew point. The man said he had no leaks. so the only other place it could come from was condensation or a passing by pet doing a nono on it which I'm sure would of shorted out the computer. Since his card as he stated had dow on the back already that prevented him from losing his vc due to what could only be condensation. My 172 watter on my 9800xt made my core drop from 67 to 35 so if is using a cooler running card then most likely he got below ambient temps.

[Garrett]

Anyone ever tried hooking the - wire of the TEC up to the -12v of the PSU, thus giving the TEC 24v?
(this might be a stupid question, never tried anything honestly with the -12v line )

[ThommY]

Are you running that 172W @ 18v tec from your system psu or a separate one?

[Jabo]

-12 line is useless for such purposes - not nuff amps there = fried PSU if attempted.

Your water is condensate forming due to surface temp of your vid card going below dew point temp.


Apply as much insulation as possible-it will improve your overall temps of GPU.
People tend to froget that with sub-ambient cooling the most important part is insulation of cooled element. Otherwise you are cooling case air and not your GPU . The only barrier is practicality of such an approach i.e. ram is one barrier and going too thick is hardly manageable. specific sizes depend on your skills and access to materials

[Marvin]

i would use a clamp, like i do.

[kayl]

Marvin do you use conformal coating as well under that neoprene , or just dielectric grease.


also does anyones card ever warp with the water blocks on them

[Jabo]

loosen down your nuts mate (no pun intended, I swear ). I once tightened them so hard that dielectric grease was being pushed to the other side through all tiny unused mounting holes!
YOu are riskind craking your core/pcb and what not and/or bad contact between gpu and block

[Marvin]

Originally posted by kayl
Marvin do you use conformal coating as well under that neoprene , or just dielectric grease.


also does anyones card ever warp with the water blocks on them

yes kayl, i did.
just for sure that would not swear...

[UnderWare1213]

Originally posted by kayl
also does anyones card ever warp with the water blocks on them

That happens when I overtighten my block.

[Apocalipsis]

I use a backplate to press the neoprene.

[saaya]

good idear... but i think plexi would be better as it weights less and cant short anything.

UnderWare1213
if you overtighten the block the gpu might crack or the pcb might. this will mean you will end up with a dead card or it will give you weird random errors as some traces can get short cuts.