Is it necessary to put a peltier on a water cooling system?

[DoeBoy]

I was looking at getting the 1st waterkit with pump on the dangerden website and am getting it fitted with 1/2 tubing but I noticed it included a peltier... I dont know much about peltiers at all and why I would need one.. could one of you guys explain this to me?

[ck42]

In short, the answer is No. You don't HAVE to have a Peltier.

Peltiers, or TECs as I prefer to call them, are active cooling devices. They are typically 12Volt devices powered from your computer PSU or a dedicated PSU.

The TEC is able to make one side of itself very cold but also generates heat on its opposite side. The hot side needs to be cooled off. So, in a water cooled system, you really aren't cooling the cpu with the water block anymore but rather the hot side of the TEC. The cooler you can keep the hot side, then the colder the cold side can get. It's this 'cold side' that actually cools your cpu now.

For first timers tho, adding a TEC adds a whole new level of complexity.

Also, just about everyone seems to think that you would need at a minimum a 172W TEC for a Tbird (vs a Duron). The 172W TEC is a 24V model and subsequently requires a 24V PSU...so, you'd have to buy one and find a place to put it. Of course, you could also go with two parallel 80W or 120W TECs or something like that.

Here's a great FAQ for many other questions: http://www.tellurex.com/resource/txfaq.htm

Otherwise, I'd suggest going to the procooling.com chat room for real time answers since there is SO much more to this than I have mentioned. Many people in the chat room have personal experiences with TECs also.

[GuyBFF]

Danger Den doesn't really promote any discounts in there kits, so I'd just go and purchase what you need seperately without the peltier (TEC).
They are a good idea, but will bring the CPU below room temperature, which will then require protection from condensation.
Unless your prepared I'd skip the part for now.

I'd suggest:
Danger Den Maze 2 with 1/2" fittings-$42 (already has mount built in, so about same price as others once you add mount, arguably cools best)

Pet Smart Danner Mag-Drive 350-$43

For Rads depends what fits well
D-Tek Cooler Core-$43 (newcomer heater core just like Big Momma with 1/2" fittings)
Case Etc Overclock-Watercool Big Momma-$50 (about as good as it gets, costs $5 to get it modified to 1/2" barbs)
BE Cooling Aquacube-$55 (fits 1/2" and cools beter than Danger Den Cube, fits in small cases, 120mm fan mount)


-7' of 1/2" ID Braided PVC hose-$7 (doesn't kink or compress as easy as clear vinyl)
-One Barbed T-Fitting 1/2"x1/2"x1/2"-$1
-One Brass 1/2" Barb to Male 1/2" NPT-$1 (for Mag-Drive)
-One Brass 1/2" Barb to Female 1/2"NPT-$1(for Mag-Drive)
-Ten 1/2" Stainless Hose Clamps-$5 (fit 3/4" OD)

Total $142 - $155 (will cool better than any of the kits and about the price of the cheapest)

Use Arctic Silver II when mounting water block, Teflon Tape on the Brass Barbs, plug the fill tube and add about 3oz of Glycol Antifreeze, and 1oz Water Wetter per 1/2g.
Use a single 120mm fan preferable sucking and if possible mounted 1" away on the heater core style rads with a shroud (tape and cardboard will work)