How to cool your PC for under $20

DJShamrock · Apr 22, 2007, 01:25 AM

All you need is a PC, some tubing and an air conditioner. LOL. I still am getting some blue wraps to clean it up. I basically went to Lowes and got some flex tubing in the plumbing (yes plumbing) department. My machine already had a lit fan on the side of it, liquid cooling it it, and about 4 other fans.

The parts cost me $15 the duct tape was free since I had it.

My specs...
Vista Ultimate 64 Edition
AMD FX-60 dual core OC'ed to 2.76 ghz. Asus A8R-MVP Mobo. ATI X1900XTX single card cats 7.4 with overdrive turned off. No soundcard, I went through 2 X-FI's and they were crashing my machine so I got onboard until a week or so. I want the Azuntech Meridian.

This is from the temp guage on the top of my pc. It used to be around CPU 33 degrees Celsius, HDD 30 degrees Celcious, and system 33 degrees Celsius.

The air conditioner is still cooling my house fine.

I will run some benchmarks soon.

Lowfat · Apr 22, 2007, 02:30 AM

I've always wanted to do that in the Winter from the window, but never got around to it.

DJShamrock · Apr 22, 2007, 02:33 AM

My main concern was condensation. But usually air conditioners take condensation out of the air, that's why you see water dripping out of the back of them. So I think this may be better. If it's hot and humid (I live in TN) its going to blow condensation into the box anyways.

CDsDontBurn · Apr 22, 2007, 07:09 AM

that's freakin' cool!

but yea, my concern is the condensation. any way you can do a mod for that as well? like a drip chamber or some kind of condensation filtration system.

DJShamrock · Apr 22, 2007, 07:38 AM

Most condensation happens outside the AC unit. I don't think cold ac air will hurt the PC. It is venting in and out. If my window starts fogging up, then I will stop. If anything the condensation would be on the outside of my case if the case inside is colder than it is outside. I did some googling about this.

I also did this on a PC that was over heating at work before and it ran fine for years.

CDsDontBurn · Apr 22, 2007, 07:43 AM

that's freakin' awesome man. i'd do that if i could, but i have central air. the vents begin to leak after some time due to the condensation build-up.

DJShamrock · Apr 22, 2007, 06:32 PM

I guess they did someting similar at HARDOCP and they said sondensation wasn't a problem.
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=820425

DJShamrock · Apr 22, 2007, 08:26 PM

I could only find 1 video benchmark tool that would work with Vista. Codecreatures (made in 2003) 3DMark06 wouldn't load to some Open AL issue.

Test setup.

I need a better benchmark utility. Any suggestions? 3dmark05-06 won't work cause I am using onboard sound with no vista drivers. I am getting a soundcard next week.

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2007, 12:47 AM

OmegaRED · Apr 23, 2007, 01:36 AM

I wouldn't be able to stand the noise from an air conditioner right beside the PC.

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2007, 04:17 AM

Oh and I use noise isolator headphones (pic of them above) for gaming and music production, so the sound of the AC is 0%. If I turn off the AC I use my 5.1 sound fine and the PC is still at a stable 30 c. But I live in TN so I will have the AC going. It's cooling my room and my PC!

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2007, 05:51 AM

before AC2PC Mod

after AC2PC Mod.

DJShamrock · Jul 8, 2007, 01:40 AM

Well it's been going for over 2 months with no problems. I bought these little sticker they put in cell phone that turn color of their is water on the phone. You cell phone should have one in it where the battery is. The decals stickers are in 5 spots inside my machine and I have had no condensation, temps without AC on are 33 celsius for the processor (with coolermaster cooling). With the AC turned on not only is my office cooled, but my machine runs at 12 degrees celsius. I live in hot ass TN.

The only thing I have done different is unhooked the hose from my pc so I can take the cover off. The fan takes in the cold air.

Above are my current temps, with my ac on low. If I turn it on high and put on headphones I can't hear it. If I tuen it off the temps stay about 35 c.

**kris23** · Jul 8, 2007, 07:06 AM

you are the sickness man...... awesome mod

ChaosMinionX · Jul 8, 2007, 09:08 PM

I wouldnt be too worried about condensation since its passing through an fan and filter the moisture has more than likely evaporated....If your worried about it, put a coffee filter or something on the end of your pipe to catch any moisture that could be in the air, none the less nice mod

OmegaRED · Jul 8, 2007, 11:46 PM

Now that summer is here and my Opty was running at 72C the other day I'm jealous of this mod

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 25, 2007, 06:31 PM

Ahahaha that's awesome. Though running one of those things in addition to my central air would kill me for power bills.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 26, 2007, 03:27 AM

it wouldn't have to. you would just need to place your PC close to one of the vents, and attach a tube like the one the OP has done, and run it to your PC......and VIOLA!!!!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 27, 2007, 03:08 AM

Air co's pull some mosture out but not much...

depends on the air temp and humidity, if the humdity rose really high for a while
you might have a seriuos problem. other wise you should be ok but its one of those
i look at and go naaaa .... not going there

H3X4D3C1M4L · Aug 30, 2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

Air co's pull some mosture out but not much...

depends on the air temp and humidity, if the humdity rose really high for a while
you might have a seriuos problem. other wise you should be ok but its one of those
i look at and go naaaa .... not going there

You know what they say man... if its too extreme you're too old

DJShamrock · Aug 30, 2007, 09:16 PM

No moisture in my machine and it's been months. Their is moisture on the tube sometimes. It gets cold and the warm air causes condensation, but I have a moisture detector stckers that turn blue when their is moisture (they use them in cell phones) and it's still white. And it's been 6 months!

My gaming/Recording Studio in all it's glory.

If you email me at djshamrock@gmail.com I will send you a dirct download link to my latest Mickstape. DJ Shamrock: The Mick's Master (I'm from NY so it is basically NY style hip hop remixed)

Zardon · Sep 2, 2007, 02:52 PM

nice one. my friend has done this for 4 years. he has moisture in the air but he uses a filter on the end of the unit to catch it. never caused a problem.

DJShamrock · Nov 4, 2007, 03:53 AM

Well I am just learning about this overclocking thing. I managed to get these scores with my "AC2PC" mod. My x1900xtx and Crossfire cards Rivatuned to 715 core / 864 mem. My FX-60 has a hard time getting past 2.90 ghz. Is this a good score?

ChaosMinionX · Nov 4, 2007, 06:42 AM

Its certainly not bad for that setup

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2008, 12:11 AM

Spring is here and I just put the AC back in. Still working like a charm.

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2008, 12:16 AM

Oh I rebuilt my machine. Pulling 20k 3dmarks now in 05.

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2008, 12:22 AM

Oh yeah condensation develops on the tube gping to the machine but not in the machine. The warmer air condenses and turns to water. No condensation has ever been in my machine. I have 3 fans blowing out (back top and front) and 2 fans blowing in (bottom of case and side where cool air is coming in).

I still have the condensation buildup stickers inside the PC and they are still white so no condensation inside for over a year. Some times condensation builds on the outside of the case but rarely. Only if it is hot in my office.

matthew_davao · Apr 23, 2008, 02:44 AM

Too dangerous to do in the tropics.

DJShamrock · Apr 23, 2008, 02:56 AM

Holy shit it's been one year today since I posted this.

**kris23** · Apr 23, 2008, 06:19 AM

lol

Apr 22, 2007, 01:25 AM	#1
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	How to cool your PC for under $20 All you need is a PC, some tubing and an air conditioner. LOL. I still am getting some blue wraps to clean it up. I basically went to Lowes and got some flex tubing in the plumbing (yes plumbing) department. My machine already had a lit fan on the side of it, liquid cooling it it, and about 4 other fans. The parts cost me $15 the duct tape was free since I had it. My specs... Vista Ultimate 64 Edition AMD FX-60 dual core OC'ed to 2.76 ghz. Asus A8R-MVP Mobo. ATI X1900XTX single card cats 7.4 with overdrive turned off. No soundcard, I went through 2 X-FI's and they were crashing my machine so I got onboard until a week or so. I want the Azuntech Meridian. This is from the temp guage on the top of my pc. It used to be around CPU 33 degrees Celsius, HDD 30 degrees Celcious, and system 33 degrees Celsius. The air conditioner is still cooling my house fine. I will run some benchmarks soon. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 22, 2007, 02:30 AM	#2
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	I've always wanted to do that in the Winter from the window, but never got around to it. __________________

Apr 22, 2007, 02:33 AM	Thread Starter #3
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	My main concern was condensation. But usually air conditioners take condensation out of the air, that's why you see water dripping out of the back of them. So I think this may be better. If it's hot and humid (I live in TN) its going to blow condensation into the box anyways. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 22, 2007, 07:09 AM	#4
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,794 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	that's freakin' cool! but yea, my concern is the condensation. any way you can do a mod for that as well? like a drip chamber or some kind of condensation filtration system. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Apr 22, 2007, 07:38 AM	Thread Starter #5
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Most condensation happens outside the AC unit. I don't think cold ac air will hurt the PC. It is venting in and out. If my window starts fogging up, then I will stop. If anything the condensation would be on the outside of my case if the case inside is colder than it is outside. I did some googling about this. I also did this on a PC that was over heating at work before and it ran fine for years. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 22, 2007, 07:43 AM	#6
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,794 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	that's freakin' awesome man. i'd do that if i could, but i have central air. the vents begin to leak after some time due to the condensation build-up. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Apr 22, 2007, 06:32 PM	Thread Starter #7
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	I guess they did someting similar at HARDOCP and they said sondensation wasn't a problem. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=820425 __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 22, 2007, 08:26 PM	Thread Starter #8
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	I could only find 1 video benchmark tool that would work with Vista. Codecreatures (made in 2003) 3DMark06 wouldn't load to some Open AL issue. Test setup. I need a better benchmark utility. Any suggestions? 3dmark05-06 won't work cause I am using onboard sound with no vista drivers. I am getting a soundcard next week. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix Last edited by DJShamrock; Apr 22, 2007 at 09:08 PM.

Apr 23, 2007, 12:47 AM	Thread Starter #9
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	__________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2007, 01:36 AM	#10
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,688 Rep Power: 173 System Specs	I wouldn't be able to stand the noise from an air conditioner right beside the PC. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Apr 23, 2007, 04:17 AM	Thread Starter #11
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Oh and I use noise isolator headphones (pic of them above) for gaming and music production, so the sound of the AC is 0%. If I turn off the AC I use my 5.1 sound fine and the PC is still at a stable 30 c. But I live in TN so I will have the AC going. It's cooling my room and my PC! __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2007, 05:51 AM	Thread Starter #12
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	before AC2PC Mod after AC2PC Mod. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Jul 8, 2007, 01:40 AM	Thread Starter #13
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Well it's been going for over 2 months with no problems. I bought these little sticker they put in cell phone that turn color of their is water on the phone. You cell phone should have one in it where the battery is. The decals stickers are in 5 spots inside my machine and I have had no condensation, temps without AC on are 33 celsius for the processor (with coolermaster cooling). With the AC turned on not only is my office cooled, but my machine runs at 12 degrees celsius. I live in hot ass TN. The only thing I have done different is unhooked the hose from my pc so I can take the cover off. The fan takes in the cold air. Above are my current temps, with my ac on low. If I turn it on high and put on headphones I can't hear it. If I tuen it off the temps stay about 35 c. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Jul 8, 2007, 07:06 AM	#14
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	you are the sickness man...... awesome mod __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jul 8, 2007, 09:08 PM	#15
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	I wouldnt be too worried about condensation since its passing through an fan and filter the moisture has more than likely evaporated....If your worried about it, put a coffee filter or something on the end of your pipe to catch any moisture that could be in the air, none the less nice mod __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Jul 8, 2007, 11:46 PM	#16
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,688 Rep Power: 173 System Specs	Now that summer is here and my Opty was running at 72C the other day I'm jealous of this mod __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Jul 25, 2007, 06:31 PM	#17
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Ahahaha that's awesome. Though running one of those things in addition to my central air would kill me for power bills.

Jul 26, 2007, 03:27 AM	#18
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,794 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	it wouldn't have to. you would just need to place your PC close to one of the vents, and attach a tube like the one the OP has done, and run it to your PC......and VIOLA!!!! __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 27, 2007, 03:08 AM	#19
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Air co's pull some mosture out but not much... depends on the air temp and humidity, if the humdity rose really high for a while you might have a seriuos problem. other wise you should be ok but its one of those i look at and go naaaa .... not going there __________________

Aug 30, 2007, 09:16 PM	Thread Starter #21
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	No moisture in my machine and it's been months. Their is moisture on the tube sometimes. It gets cold and the warm air causes condensation, but I have a moisture detector stckers that turn blue when their is moisture (they use them in cell phones) and it's still white. And it's been 6 months! My gaming/Recording Studio in all it's glory. If you email me at djshamrock@gmail.com I will send you a dirct download link to my latest Mickstape. DJ Shamrock: The Mick's Master (I'm from NY so it is basically NY style hip hop remixed) __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix Last edited by DJShamrock; Aug 31, 2007 at 04:48 AM.

Sep 2, 2007, 02:52 PM	#22
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	nice one. my friend has done this for 4 years. he has moisture in the air but he uses a filter on the end of the unit to catch it. never caused a problem.

Nov 4, 2007, 03:53 AM	Thread Starter #23
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Well I am just learning about this overclocking thing. I managed to get these scores with my "AC2PC" mod. My x1900xtx and Crossfire cards Rivatuned to 715 core / 864 mem. My FX-60 has a hard time getting past 2.90 ghz. Is this a good score? __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Nov 4, 2007, 06:42 AM	#24
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	Its certainly not bad for that setup __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Apr 23, 2008, 12:11 AM	Thread Starter #25
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Spring is here and I just put the AC back in. Still working like a charm. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2008, 12:16 AM	Thread Starter #26
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Oh I rebuilt my machine. Pulling 20k 3dmarks now in 05. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2008, 12:22 AM	Thread Starter #27
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Oh yeah condensation develops on the tube gping to the machine but not in the machine. The warmer air condenses and turns to water. No condensation has ever been in my machine. I have 3 fans blowing out (back top and front) and 2 fans blowing in (bottom of case and side where cool air is coming in). I still have the condensation buildup stickers inside the PC and they are still white so no condensation inside for over a year. Some times condensation builds on the outside of the case but rarely. Only if it is hot in my office. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2008, 02:44 AM	#28
matthew_davao DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	Too dangerous to do in the tropics. __________________

Apr 23, 2008, 02:56 AM	Thread Starter #29
DJShamrock DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tennessee but from NY Posts: 206 Rep Power: 37 System Specs	Holy shit it's been one year today since I posted this. __________________ My rap group. http://www.myspace.com/waxingpoetix

Apr 23, 2008, 06:19 AM	#30
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	lol __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!