How to setup motherboard for LN2/Dry Ice

[Drdeath]

Here is a simple guide to help you set up your motherboard for LN2 or Dry Ice. Many are afraid but it is simple as pie. Follow the easy steps and you cannot go wrong:


First, you need a Pot. There are not too many manufacturers but if you search the internet, there are some people who sell custom Pots for LN2 or Dry Ice(Dice). Our Pot is from Koolance.

Here is the Pot and the parts. The Pot needs to be lined with pipe insulation and the bottom level needs to be glued to the Pot(Later we will show why).






Also needed is shop towels. As you see, the shop towel is cut to the size of the socket and holes punched through for the rods. Here we see both socket 1155 and AM3+. There is the insulation for the top of the Pot.





Next, you will need some dry eraser(Artists Eraser). It is re-usable as you see the clump at the bottom. The Dry Eraser is like play dough and used to pack the socket to eliminate and condensation.






Finally, you need denatured alchohol for Dry Ice. Ln2 uses Liquid Nitrogen.


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When installing the backplate. Put a layer of sghop towel between the backplate and the motherbooard. Just incase any condensation ocuurs, the shop towel will absorb it.







Ok, let's start packing the socket on our Gigaybyte motherboard.





The dry eraser needs to be pulled apart and twisted crunched, whatever and slowly pack the socket. I use a pencil to gently push the dry eraser around the capacitors.






Slowly build the pack to the socket.




And, Bingo. Job done. Make sure the dry eraser does not go higher than the processor because the Pot needs to contact it.





Time to install the Pot.

Most Pots will have a hole near the botton so you can insert a Digital Thermometer to see real time the tempuratures.





The probe inserts into the hole with a little thermapaste.








Install the shop towel we cut earlier and apply thermalpaste. I use Ceramic thermalpaste. We get the Pot to -65 Celsius so there is no need for expensive thermalpaste.








Next, install the posts.




Then the Pot.





And then the cover. Screw the handscews tight and the insultation will put pressue on the Pot to contact the processor.





1 Slab, about 5 pounds will be plenty of Dry Ice. It costs about $10-$14 depending on the weight.







Make sure you crush the Dry Ice into small chunks. Not powder but smaller the better.




Easy and simple. I will post some actual photo's next time I do a LN2 or dry ice run. A few tips:

Slowly bring the temperatures down. Add a little, get your screen saver ready. Add more, and slowly more.


Never try a second LN2 or Dry Ice run immedialely after. Once you power down the system for good, DO NOT TURN IT BACK ON. Condensation will form in the socket borking the motherboard. When on the LN2 or DICE run, you can power off and on but don't wait too long to power up. When your finished, power the system off and let it set for a few hours. Then it is safe to remove the Pot. Take the processor out and let it sit for 24 hours as any condensation will surely kill the motherboard.


Hope this was helpful!

[Drdeath]

Reserved 1

[Drdeath]

Reserved 2

[Cyberburnout]

this is something I am eager to learn more about. Thanks in advance!

[Solara2xb]

Thanks Jimbo, Can't wait to see your finished log.
I've been looking at doing this so this will be a great way to learn.

[JamesLT3]

Thanks a lot Jim,this is awesome! Ive always been cusious how dice was used as a solid but now i see you use denatured alcohol. Whats the mix ratio? How much does a pot like yours run?

[alan1476]

Then comes "Frozen CPU".

[Drdeath]

There is no mix ratio. You just pour in enough to go over the bottom holes(1 inch or so), then add dry ice slowly.