This document is available for public use for the installation of a peltier cooling system.

Some of the materials and processes used in these instructions may be hazardous if used/followed improperly and you will not hold GruntvillE.com. responsible for any damages that may result.

If you disagree with the above statement please do not continue. If you agree with this statement simply get started with the below steps.

The purpose of these instructions is to provide a guide for the installation of a peltier based liquid cooled system. The guide will show you how to prevent condensation that can occur with this type of system and other helpful tips. Before you start the installation of the ioFreeze please do the following:

1. Read the instructions vary carefully a few times before you do anything else. Study and place close attention to each step to prevent damage to your PC.
2. Verify that you have all of the "correct" materials. It may be easy to mistake one item for another. The RTV silicon for example, there are many types of silicon, make sure you have the correct kind.
3. During each step take a moment to step back and make sure you completed it correctly. It's hard to check your work after you've completed a number of steps, so make sure you do it correctly the first time.
   

1. Motherboard. In this case a ASUS A7V266-E
2. CPU. In this case a Athlon XP 1800 +
3. Neoprene bundle of varying thickness
4. Conformal coating
5. RTV silicon adhesive sealant
6. Dielectric grease
7. 1 piece of printer paper
8. Copper waterblock with 156W peltier and nylon mounting hardware
9. Peltier power supply
10. Radiator/fan assembly
11. Water pump
12. 1/2 gallon Distilled Water
13. Water Wetter
14. 3/8 inch ID (inside diameter) Hose
15. Hose clamps
16. 1 Nylon hose "T"
17. 1 Nylon hose "elbow"
18. Sharp scissors
19. Exacto knife
20. Sharpy marker

You'll notice no reservoir is used in this guide. A feed line is sufficient for storing extra fluid, less likely to cause leaks or spills, and takes up less room. It would be easy to incorporate one if you desire.

Coat the bottom of the motherboard directly below the CPU socket covering all of the socket pins and all of the area under the socket with conformal coating. Allow to dry and repeat if any of the pins are not completely covered. This will prevent any condensation on the back of the motherboard. Some people will put a layer of neoprene between the motherboard and the case directly under the CPU. I found this not to be necessary.

Coat the whole area in the center of the CPU socket with conformal coating and allow to dry. One coating is plenty.

IMPORTANT: While the coating is drying move the socket lever up and down periodically to prevent the socket from getting glued open or shut from the coating.

Install the CPU (unlocked of course) and cut two strips of neoprene that run along the sides of the CPU socket on top of the four mounting holes. Try to make this a snug fit to keep the neoprene in place for the steps that follow.

Flip the motherboard over and mark the mounting holes on the neoprene with the Sharpy marker.

Remove the two neoprene strips and poke a small screw driver or something equivalent threw the neoprene where the holes are marked.

If the peltier is not mounted between the water block and cold plate already, go ahead and mount it. Make sure and use thermal grease. After mounting, verify that the cold side of the peltier is on the cold plate and the hot side on the water block. You can do this by simply applying power to the peltier. If you do have the sides reversed you can swamp the polarity of the input volage to correct it.

Pot the water block gaps where the peltier sits with RTV silicon adhesive. Run a bead of RTV completely around the gap. Ice can build up if this gap is not filled and will push its way out from the gap until the surrounding insulation is bulging. This will cause water run off when the system is turned off.

A very thin layer of silicon spread completely over the cold block except where the CPU die makes contact will also help with ice build up and condensation tremendously. Please make sure your CPU die makes direct contact with the bare copper on the cold plate.

Insulate the top of the Athlon XP CPU by putting dielectric grease over the entire surface of the top side of the CPU except for where the die is. The layer should be slightly below (paper thickness) the height of the die. Then cut a piece of paper out that's the same size as the processor with a hole cut out where the die will fit through. Place the paper over the layer of grease to keep the grease intact during installation and removal. Make sure that the paper is not obstructing the top of the die in any way. If you try insulating the top of the XP processor with neoprene it will be too thick and prevent the cold block from making proper (if any) contact with the die.

If your CPU is a P4, 1/16" thick neoprene will work just fine. The die is higher and there are no top mounted components to worry about.

Now pack dielectric grease in the pin holes of the CPU socket and install the CPU back into the motherboard.

Thread the four nylon rods into the bottom of the cold block and push the two strips of neoprene onto them. Make sure you put the correct strip on the correct side.

Put a thin layer of thermal grease on top of the CPU die and place the water block onto the motherboard pushing the nylon rods through the mounting holes. Double check that the neoprene is snug with the CPU socket.

Fasten the block to the motherboard as shown. Leave the springs a little shy of being fully compressed. When done make sure that your CPU is making good contact with the cold plate. I can not express the importance of this step enough.

STEP 12

Cut the extra length off of the nylon rods.

Cut out more neoprene and fit it snugly around the exposed area of the water block. Keep it in place with some tie wraps or silicon adhesive.

Mount the radiator fan assembly in the bottom 5 1/4" drive bay. Keep a bay space open above and below the assembly to ensure proper air flow. We switched from using the all copper radiator/fan assembly to a 4" x 8-1/2" Low Pressure Drop Radiator/2 delta fan assembly. This assembly has better cooling ability and is quieter (even with two fans!).

Mount the peltier power supply and pump to the bottom of the PC case and connect the hose as shown. Although a different radiator is shown here the connections should be the same.