Alternative Cooling methods for overclocking

Im going to try and build a budget minded freon cooling system for my computer (i say try because i may run out of tax refund cash before finishing it right away but i will get it done.) as you can guess my reasons for this would be to make a 24/7 reliable alternative cooling system that will let me run near 4.0GHz CPU, anyways my computer is:
Thermaltake Armor+ Case
AMD Phenom II X4 955 (3.79 max so far, couldn't hit 3.8 with stock cooling)
ASUS M4A78T-E mobo
4GB OCZ AMD Black Edition DDR3 1600 (stable to 1800 so far, again need more cooling)
MSI ATI Radeon HD 4890 Cyclone (haven't tested max yet)
X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro Sound Card
(along with 1500 gigs of SATA 3.0GB/s and 2 ASUS SATA DVD Combos)
Current power supply WAS 680watts but it's getting up in years (near 5) and on the way out. i will replace it with a new one soon, looking at the new XFX line look like exceptional quality from a parts view( also taking recommendations).

i've looked at several refrigerant compressors from small windows units A/Cs but they are still a little big for the application. I COULD use one but it would require removing my HDD rack from the computer and relocating the drives to under the mobo tray. or making the compressor external which i would prefer not to do.

My condenser will be external mount and i've already figured out how i will make it if i can't find one to buy that is the right size (looking for 100mm square). then i will fab a drain tray that goes to a hose which will have a bottle behind the tower to hold liquid. i will also install a thermal switch so the compressor only turns on at like 7C and off at about 3C (try to adjust just above dew point, probably would have to also raise temps a bit too) and take measurements from the CPU

Sorry for long post but what i would like help with is finding a compressor suited for the job. does anybody know of a small freon compressor i can use that runs preferably on R134a so it's legal and is also not to large.

 

Sounds like fun, post up some pictures and details if you do it. You might want to ask a mod to move your post over to the Cooling and Modding section. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30 Might get better help there.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried using a better aftermarket heatsink and fan for better cooling? Or even water cooling might be cheaper, and use a little less power. Not trying to discourage you at all. I use to water cool my computers, got good results, but with the better heatsinks out these days, air cooling is very effective, if you use the right stuff. (lots cheaper aslo.)

:cool

 

Yeah i wasn't sure what section to post under, but iv'e been there done that, better air and water system would be good during winter but in the summer my room gets so hot it'd be about as useful as a stock fan and heat sink. water systems are only as effective as the air around them. I wouldn't be able to meet my goals for speed with a air or water system. the real hard part is just finding a compressor, the rest is easy i can make a condenser, get some copper piping and parts from radio shack to make a analog temp controller or a digital one with logic gates if i want to get fancy. cooling blocks will get a little complicated but should be to hard. so anyone know of a place to get a small compressor?

 

Well, I am an idiot when it comes to the magic freon gods, I do not question how they work. :-D Maybe you could scavenge one off of a dorm room fridge, or one of those small wine chiller boxes. My wine fridge is adjustable, I have it at around 60F, but can make it warmer or colder.

Not sure how your room is setup, but wouldn't a small window A/C unit be more efficient, and more comfortable for you? Keep us posted on what you do. I have always wanted to use some dry ice and do some insane benching.

 

well i've decided to make a metal case the same foot print as my case about a foot tall and then use that to house the system, also going to incorporate a aquarium pump and water tank to build a water cooling system for the GPU, NB, RAM, and SB(maybe) use the same design cue from a pc case (removeable sides, and a power plug from a PSU so it's removable) anyone with experience with anything like this feel free to chime in.

 

This sounds rather interesting. You definitely want to use r134a as you can easily acquire the refrigerant at you local wally world. Freon actually cools better but you have to be licensed in order to buy it (or know someone who has a few cans left over from the 80's stashed in their garage).

I cant really think of any small compressors. Might be best to gut a mini fridge and take all the cooling system components from it and try to incorporate them into your design.

I do hope you post photos. Good luck.