Chiller Condensation Proofing Motherboard and Video Card

[Jordan]

I have some pics of a job I did for a gentleman on his DFI nF3 mobo and 9800pro video card. He made a chiller and wanted me to vmod his stuff and condensation proof it.

I figured I'd upload some photos at least for the community as I remember how much I read up on the subject and was hard pressed for decent photos of the process. I don't much have the time to explain it all in great detail as I'd like to, but if you need more info then I've provided, by all means post and I'll help you out.

Main idea is trying to keep the air from touching cold areas because it will then condensate and form water. Trust me, I've lost A LOT of equipment even WITH good insulation. DON'T SKIMP ON IT!!

Everything I use pulls right up except the clear nail polish. The only liquid electrical tape that pulls up and is rubbery is the stuff I linked to. The 3M stuff I've tried and it is NOT good for this application.

Put the nail polish around the socket on the PCB to seal out moisture on ICs, mosfets, SMDs, and other components. Make sure if it is a bare core processor (this goes for video cards) to use it on the whole chip EXCEPT the core.

Do vMods before condensation proofing.

Cover everything with the elastomer foam after the butyl or cork wrap as much as possible for increased insulation.

Rub some dielectric grease in the socket to keep tiny air pockets from forming in the socket and creating moisture. This is a must with an sub-ambient cooling IMO. You can get some Radioshack electronics cleaners spray can clean it out very easily too. Don't put too much in the socket or the pins won't make good contact. Just the right amount is perfect. You will get the feel for it after once or twice.

Materials
Liquid Electrical Tape (Red stuff)
Butyl Rubber Pipe Wrap (White stuff)
Cork Elastomer Pipe Wrap (about the same as the butyl but harder to work with)
Elastomer Foam Pipe Wrap (Black foam)
Neoprene (3rd to last pic has a small "L-shaped" piece)
Clear Nail Polish (cheapest you can find from any store)
Dielectric grease (find at the auto parts store)

Pics

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DSC00258.JPG Don't lay the neoprene like it is in this pic! You need to make a continuous gasket all the way around to make a good seal.

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[flclisgreat]

did you forget the center of the socket?


edit: i think your saposed to do the whole back of the board to

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by flclisgreat

did you forget the center of the socket?


edit: i think your saposed to do the whole back of the board to

Nah, I just took the picture before I did the center.

You don't have to do the whole back of the board, no.