Sub Zero Overclocking Motherboard Preparation

The difference between prepping for condensation and insulation

Condensation

• the process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state
• atmospheric moisture that has condensed because of cold

Thermal Insulation

• To separate, detach, or isolate
• To separate a body or material from others, to prevent the transfer of heat

thermal insulation on a Kingpin LN2 pot. Image courtesy of Kingpincooling

So we can see that the preparation needed for sub zero is made up of two components. One to keep moister off the electronics and the other to keep the cold from components that might not operate correctly if too cold.

Motherboard preparation step one – Condensation

The Rampage IV Extreme

Since the source of the extreme cold is going to be located on top of the CPU which is latched into the socket it is the immediate area around the socket that we need to focus on first. There are a couple of ways to prevent condensation from damaging or killing your motherboard.

Remember that condensation damage is user damage and not a valid reason to institute a RMA claim. You overclock your motherboard and CPU using LN2 or any other extreme cooling solution at your own risk. That being said there are ways to prevent that unfortunate eventuality.

Coatings

There are many different kinds of coatings that have been used over the years. One of the very first coatings that were used was nail varnish. The entire socket area was painted with nail varnish. The idea being that since nail varnish was not conductive, very important for obvious reasons, and easily accessible. If not blagged from mothers or sisters then easily bought at the local stores. And added bonus for using nail varnish was the ease of removal by simply applying some acetone based nail varnish removal liquid. Downside is that the nail varnish can crack and split when under extreme cold.

clear nail varnish

Others borrowed from allied industries such as the electronic engineering industry and used Conformal coating material as applied to electronic circuitry to act as protection against moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes that, if uncoated (non-protected), could result in damage or failure of the electronics to function. The similarities in application are quite close and they work very well, cost of course is a consideration. Another consideration as to why conformal coatings have not gained the popularity of other methods was the difficulty of removing the conformal coating after the sub zero session had ended.  Many differrent brand names and types to choose from. Simply search for conformal coatings in your country if you want to try this type of coating.

PC101

Normal varnish – Varnish will work depending on the kind and type, the easy test is to paint a section of any surface with the varnish and then freeze that surface using LN2 and testing for conductivity once the surface is frozen. Some varnishes have proven to be conductive when frozen and as such has not been very popular with extreme benchers.  Certain types can crack when subjected to long periods of sub zero temperature.

floor varnish

Other coatings have been tried including artist liquid latex membranes that is mixed and applied with a brush. I have not tried this method but have used liquid rubber which is very similar and works well.

Liquid latex

But one coating is the one that in my view is the best available. Liquid Electrical Tape – used primarily in the maritime industry the liquid electrical tape is guaranteed not to be conductive and is easily applied to any PCB type surface. Removal is not too difficult if you have applied a thick enough coating. You can acquire the Liquid Electrical Tape in a couple of colours but the most common colour is black. Cost is a factor as the coating is rather expensive.

liquid tape

Not everyone wants to paint their motherboard which may have cost them $500 with a coating. The alternative is to use solid type or semi solid materials to provide the condensation protection that is required.