Thermaltake SubZero4G TEC for P4

Manufacturer: Thermaltake Technology
Supplied by: Thermaltake Technology
Price: $149

By Dean Barker (3/31/2003)

 

Introduction

Peltiers (TEC units) have been known and used by computer enthusiast for a number of years.  Previously, when using a Peltier, you needed to keep your CPU under somewhat of a load to keep temperatures from dropping too low.  Yes, too low can be a problem in non-air cooled units because with a Peltier, too low could mean near freezing and cause condensation to develop.  (Water and PC internal components don't get along face to face.)  Let me take a second and explain the basic principles behind a Peltier or otherwise known as TEC (Thermo-Electric Cooling.)

The slang for a Thermo-Electric Cooler is 'Peltier."  This comes from a French physicist named Jean Peltier in the 1830's.  What he discovered and what has been improved upon in efficiency over the years, is referred to as the Peltier Effect.  This is electrical current flowing through two dissimilar conductors.  The two conductors are put in a circuit of electricity where the negative pole (or negative flow of electrons) is connected to one of the conductors and the positive pole (positive flow of electrons) to the other.  When power is applied, the flow of electrons makes a circle of sorts from negative to positive.  See the chart below.

This transfer of energy from Conductor A to Conductor B produces heat as the electrons and electricity flow move out of Conductor A to Conductor B.  If this thermal energy is dealt with and dissipated efficiently then the transfer remains one way (heat).  'B' won't get so hot as to overwhelm 'A'.  As heat is drawn from Conductor A to Conductor B, as you guessed, Conductor A is now pretty cold.  A cold plate is utilize to keep the temperature even across that surface.  This is somewhat similar to the physics inside your refrigerator

Now you are walking on a thin line; too little cooling to Conductor B and the heat builds up and begins to overwhelm Conductor A.  If you are too efficient with dealing with the heat then the cold side, Conductor A can drop to or below freezing and you get condensation (and that is bad in a computer.)  Granted this is a very simplistic explanation of TEC devices but it is intended to give you an idea of the process not prepare you for your NASA rocket science exams.

 

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