Mineral Oil Computer

[Erlex]

I am sure most of you all have seen the Pugent Systems' oil computer. http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well, about six months ago I built one and it has been running fine ever since. Here are some pictures of the final assembly. I hope you enjoy; feel free to ask questions pertaining to details. (I do not feel like typing all of the specs out now)



http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img33/4528/img7656.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/img132/9489/img7665.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://imgcash5.imageshack.us/img39/7569/img7688.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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[Black Six]

That looks pretty sweet. How has it been running?

[vskid]

Specs? How hot does it get? Are those radiators on the back? How loud is it? Any tips for someone wanting to build one?
Looks pretty sweet. I've wanted to build one since I first read about them, but I've never had a system that was fast enough to get hot enough to justify it.

[Erlex]

It has been running fine. Really no problems as far as hardware goes other than when I went to overclock the thing I pushed it too far to boot once. The only thing I could do to fix that was reset the CMOS. Take a guess where the jumper was... Yeah... Sticking my arm down into warm oil felt really weird I have to say.
I am having some problems with the tank though. I am starting to see some cracks along the base and its leaking a bit of oil, hopefully I can just plug them up.

To be honest my hardware really isn't fast enough to fully justify oil cooling either. But it seemed like a lot of fun, and I thought the final product would look cool so I went for it anyway. I am running an AMD Athlon 64 FX 2.8 GHz processor overclocked to 3.3 GHz, and two GeForce 7900 GT graphic cards overclocked about 30%. I am sure I could push it further, but I had some issues pushing it much further (the jumper incident). The hottest it gets even after some hardcore zombie ownage on l4d is around 52C. And that's after several hours of playing. It idles at just above room temperature.

Those are indeed radiators on the back. There is a pump immersed in the oil that pumps the hot oil out of the tank, feeds it through those two radiators, and dumps the cool oil right in front of the intake of the CPU fan. All of the fans are still running by the way.

All I can say as far as tips go is relocate the motherboard battery and CMOS jumper to a place where you can reach them, and make sure your tank isn't faulty.

[XCVG]

Awesome rig! And those parts were once considered very powerful, unfortunately times have changed.

All I can say as far as tips go is relocate the motherboard battery and CMOS jumper to a place where you can reach them, and make sure your tank isn't faulty.

I wouldn't solder to a computer mobo, too many layers, high chance of wreckage. Plus they're expensive. Could just wire up some cables though, it's a standard pinheader.

I am having some problems with the tank though. I am starting to see some cracks along the base and its leaking a bit of oil, hopefully I can just plug them up.

I hope you do fix it up, because leaking coolant (be it water, oil, or Star Trek-esque plasma) is Not A Good Thing. Perhaps some Mighty Putty might(y) do the job. (OMG BAD PUN!!!!!111!!11!)

[vskid]

All I can say as far as tips go is relocate the motherboard battery and CMOS jumper to a place where you can reach them, and make sure your tank isn't faulty.

I wouldn't solder to a computer mobo, too many layers, high chance of wreckage. Plus they're expensive. Could just wire up some cables though, it's a standard pinheader.

Tell that to people who replace leaking capacitors on their motherboards. I'm sure the manufacturers would like to know, too, so they can stop soldering parts to the motherboards.

Sucks about the leak, I would put the tank into a bucket big enough to hold all the oil in case of catastrophic failure. Have you ever tried running it without the pump on to see how much the radiators help?

[Atari Dogs]

It does look cool, especially with the blue light. Part computer, part aquarium, part lava lamp. If you could just add the lava.

[Skyone]

Thinking about doing this because of my room's ability to retain such heat during the summer...

[XCVG]

Tell that to people who replace leaking capacitors on their motherboards. I'm sure the manufacturers would like to know, too, so they can stop soldering parts to the motherboards.

I never said it was impossible, I meant it would be risky. I don't know a lot of people who replace capacitors. And the manufacturers use a way different process for soldering.

The leakage-containment idea is good though. Rig a kill switch too.

[Skyone]

I never said it was impossible, I meant it would be risky. I don't know a lot of people who replace capacitors. And the manufacturers use a way different process for soldering.

Heat is heat, man.