Such a thing as "too cool"?

[Jest3r]

So my SpeedFan says that my average core temp is around 15-20C. I'm wondering if there are any disadvantages to having your CPU too cool?

I guess I should really learn to overclock, lol.

 

[Rubycon]

If you're not using out of the ordinary cooling (phase-change, chilled water, etc.) then you cannot be too low - outside of living in Fairbanks AK and computing in the doghouse!

With chillers, too low of a temp can cause condensation to form - where parts fall below the dewpoint or frost point. This is not good because it's no different than dripping water in your computer!

15-20C on air means your room is REALLY cold - most likely this is an erroneous reading as it's impossible to have a CPU core temperature below ambient with standard air cooling. Most chassis insides are a few degrees above ambient and core idle temperatures will be at least 5-8 degrees above that under ideal conditions.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

speedfan is wrong and inaccurate in reading the Q6600 temps, use coretemp.

if u MUST use speedfan +15 to each core's temperature to get an 'estimate" of your temps are, they will often show that each core is at the same temperature but they rarely are.

 

[Toadster]

-1042 Kelvin would be just cold enough

 

[betasub]

Fonzie says you can never be too cool

 

[DerwenArtos12]

There really is no such thing as too cool, though there are certain situations where getting a proc too cold has caused certain processors to get odd errors or even freeze up(literally?) but, I really haven't seen any issues going as low as -50C, errors start to come up with multiple phase change units which guys have run as low as about -170C with tripple systems. I'm actually working on a chilled liquid system that will run alcohol, I'm currently aiming for 0C load. That should get me in the area of 3.2-3.3ghz, make my A64 last me a couple months longer. Then it'll get it's really workout on a 9450 around christmas, maybe something special on black friday.

 

[MarcVenice]

Derwen, why do you spend inordinate amounts of money on high-end cooling, and then run a crappy cpu ? You should own a qx9650 or at least a e8400 or something like that, and run it at 4.5ghz or higher

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Derwen, why do you spend inordinate amounts of money on high-end cooling, and then run a crappy cpu ? You should own a qx9650 or at least a e8400 or something like that, and run it at 4.5ghz or higher

Actually, the whole chiller is only going to cost me about $150. $40 for an Apogee GT, $40 for a pond pump, the AC unit cost $35, windshield washer fluid I had just sitting out in my shed, ~$10 for the cooler to drop the evap in, ~$5 on tubing, ~$10 in insulation and misc parts and $10 cause I'm sure I'll need it at some point.

EDIT:
And even foregoig the incredibly low budget, it's just fun this way. Why am I spending ~$70 to make a seasonic S12-600 modular instead of must buying a modular power supply? It's fun!

 

[MarcVenice]

You're saying you are going to achieve subzero temps by just spending 150$ ? How much time will you be spending rigging it all together ?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
You're saying you are going to achieve subzero temps by just spending 150$ ? How much time will you be spending rigging it all together ?

I've spent about 2 hours so far and have another ~3 hours ahead of me. Generally these rigs go from about $200-300 but, I got a few great deals and I'm skimping on the block and pump a little. I may go up to a $50 pump that outputs about half again more and I may still get talked into a nicer waterblock but, I doubt it. You'll almost never get a decent window AC unit for $35 either, just got lucky on that part.

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: Toadster
-1042 Kelvin would be just cold enough

FAIL.

0 Kelvin is known as absolute zero. It is the point where atoms stop vibrating. Saying -anything kelvin is just crazy talk.

 

[nerp]

OC/cooling/etc projects really shouldn't be measured in time spent or dollar amounts. There are people who spend 20 hours a week turning wood in the garage and they never sell anything or even use much of the stuff they create. But, it makes them happy.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: nerp
OC/cooling/etc projects really shouldn't be measured in time spent or dollar amounts. There are people who spend 20 hours a week turning wood in the garage and they never sell anything or even use much of the stuff they create. But, it makes them happy.

you get a big 'ol QFT for that!:thumbsup: