Computer in a Refrigerator

30th August 2003, 18:19

I am kinda tapped for money right now and I have one of those little college Fridges lying around in my garage. I was wondering if I could put my componets in there to cool it? And i wouldnt have to go downstairs to get a soda.

30th August 2003, 18:22

no you can't place a computer in it, condensation would kill it in no time

31st August 2003, 07:08

There are already some topics about refridgerators.
I think it should be possible to put your radiator from your watercooling in it, but I'm nog sure.

31st August 2003, 12:48

The condensation thing is SOOO wrong.
Go to fridge and look at beercans, see and condens on them ???
Not untill you take them out.

Condens will only appear on the cooling surface. The PC parts aren't the things that are being cooled actively. All you have to do is to prevent the condens created on the evaporator of the fridge to fall onto you precious.
Make sure the box is airtight, use some silicone to close up the hole you use for cables (don't use the door for this it's much harder too close). This way, all the moisture tht COULD be created is that what's in the box.
Third, use silica gel. Go and buy a certain volume of this stuff, and put it somewhere out of your way. This stuff soaks up moisture faster then it can condens. And even if some would condens, the resulting dry air could make it to evaporate again.

The real problem however: The cooling capacity of your fridge is most likely not enough to cool down the heat your PC creates.
These days, a PC can easily heat up a small to medium sized room to a nice warm level. There is no way an unmodded fridge can do this. You'd need a more effective external radiator, actively cooled. Something like a prommy/vapo. But probably a bit bigger (ALL the heat of your system is in there, not just the CPU).
And the internal "radiator" could use some help too. preferably a small rad an fan combo (size of a BIX).
Compressor shouldn't be the problem. It will however be running much more then it would without and heat being produced inside (probably even 24/7) And these things weren't made to be silent running, just to be running as little as possible...

It's doable, just not practical.

21st October 2003, 21:50

it's possible. there was a belgian guy who did it some time ago. He used somekind of spray to prevent condensation.

his mobo was in the fridge with cables going out for all the rest. (HD, Writer, PSU, ...))

30th August 2003, 18:19	#1
area51mafia Posts: n/a	Computer in a Refrigerator I am kinda tapped for money right now and I have one of those little college Fridges lying around in my garage. I was wondering if I could put my componets in there to cool it? And i wouldnt have to go downstairs to get a soda.

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30th August 2003, 18:22	#2
TeuS Posts: n/a	no you can't place a computer in it, condensation would kill it in no time

31st August 2003, 07:08	#3
Vulk Posts: n/a	There are already some topics about refridgerators. I think it should be possible to put your radiator from your watercooling in it, but I'm nog sure.

31st August 2003, 12:48	#4
FreeStyler Posts: n/a	The condensation thing is SOOO wrong. Go to fridge and look at beercans, see and condens on them ??? Not untill you take them out. Condens will only appear on the cooling surface. The PC parts aren't the things that are being cooled actively. All you have to do is to prevent the condens created on the evaporator of the fridge to fall onto you precious. Make sure the box is airtight, use some silicone to close up the hole you use for cables (don't use the door for this it's much harder too close). This way, all the moisture tht COULD be created is that what's in the box. Third, use silica gel. Go and buy a certain volume of this stuff, and put it somewhere out of your way. This stuff soaks up moisture faster then it can condens. And even if some would condens, the resulting dry air could make it to evaporate again. The real problem however: The cooling capacity of your fridge is most likely not enough to cool down the heat your PC creates. These days, a PC can easily heat up a small to medium sized room to a nice warm level. There is no way an unmodded fridge can do this. You'd need a more effective external radiator, actively cooled. Something like a prommy/vapo. But probably a bit bigger (ALL the heat of your system is in there, not just the CPU). And the internal "radiator" could use some help too. preferably a small rad an fan combo (size of a BIX). Compressor shouldn't be the problem. It will however be running much more then it would without and heat being produced inside (probably even 24/7) And these things weren't made to be silent running, just to be running as little as possible... It's doable, just not practical.

21st October 2003, 21:50	#5
JaNeBa Posts: n/a	it's possible. there was a belgian guy who did it some time ago. He used somekind of spray to prevent condensation. his mobo was in the fridge with cables going out for all the rest. (HD, Writer, PSU, ...))