Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Liquid cooling in future iMac?

MacApple21

MacApple21

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2009
93
0
Denmark
I was contemplating about what Apple might come up with for the next iMac, when I remembered an old article about Apple seeking patent for a liquid cooling system for MacBooks

link:https://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/0...uid-notebook-cooling-systems-for-cooler-laps/

I can't stop thinking about it, I know liquid cooling is mainly meant for overclockers and extremists alike, but to me it would make sense to design such system in order for Apple to be able to cool the iMac and MacBooks more effectively. Consequently enabling Apple to fit components with higher TDP (perhaps even desktop components :eek: )
Think about for a second - Think different :apple:

Advantages:
-More effective cooling
-Even quieter (the iMac is quiet I know)
-Apple could continue with their almost anorectic design ideals, allowing hotter components with higher TDP
I also think it would consume less power than fans do.

Disadvantages:
-A little more expensive
-possible "safety" issues (fluid might leak)

I don't know how big an advantage liquid cooling would be compared to air cooling. What are your thoughts about this?
 
It would be cool but if you take a look at other big manufacturers like Dell and Acer, you see that they don't sell liquid cooling either. So I can't see Apple selling computer with one. It's quite risky and expensive, think about the cost if there's a small hole in pipe and liquid streams to components... Also, is it possible and recommended to put liquid cooling in so narrowly packed computer?
 
Also, you would have to top up the liquid cooling every so often. It's not exactly consumer friendly...
 
Hellhammer said:
It would be cool but if you take a look at other big manufacturers like Dell and Acer, you see that they don't sell liquid cooling either. So I can't see Apple selling computer with one. It's quite risky and expensive, think about the cost if there's a small hole in pipe and liquid streams to components... Also, is it possible and recommended to put liquid cooling in so narrowly packed computer?
Click to expand...

It would cause quite a bit of damage but the liquid used would probably be non-conductive, so that is not a risk.
 
I doubt we'll see another liquid cooled Apple computer for a while. Not after the G5 effort.
 
Read this and tell me you still want liquid cooling in the iMac. :eek:

043.jpg
 
Maybe Apple can use oil cooling; that way they can seal the computer up, so the only way to upgrade is to go back to the store where they charge an exorbitant price for labor.
 
Although it would fit into Apple's game plan . . . a more expensive device that's less reliable or prone to failure right after Apple Care expires . . . :D
 
mrsir2009 said:
I think there should be a different model of the Mac Pro with liquid cooling so you can have it if you want
Click to expand...

Why? Mac Pro runs cool with normal cooling. Unless Apple starts to sell overclocked components in Mac Pro, liquid cooling would be waste
 
That is a nasty scenario

OllyW said:
Read this and tell me you still want liquid cooling in the iMac. :eek:

043.jpg
Click to expand...

We certainly wouldn't want that kind of malfunctions, but I have a couple of "Overclocker" friends, they have liquid cooled systems, and have had them for years without any problems.
So my question is, why couldn't it be done, is liquid cooling universally troublesome, or has somebody cracked the code.
Come on it has to be possible :confused:
 
MacApple21 said:
We certainly wouldn't want that kind of malfunctions, but I have a couple of "Overclocker" friends, they have liquid cooled systems, and have had them for years without any problems.
So my question is, why couldn't it be done, is liquid cooling universally troublesome, or has somebody cracked the code.
Come on it has to be possible :confused:
Click to expand...

We didn't say it's impossible, but it's risky and not consumer friendly and fights against Apple's policy. Also, it's would need so much testing and designing so basically it wouldn't be worth it plus average consumer has no idea what is liquid cooling
 
Yeah you're probably right

Hellhammer said:
We didn't say it's impossible, but it's risky and not consumer friendly and fights against Apple's policy. Also, it's would need so much testing and designing so basically it wouldn't be worth it plus average consumer has no idea what is liquid cooling
Click to expand...

I see your point, but who knows? Apple have certainly thought about it in MacBooks, considering their patent.

We'll just have to wait and see ;)
 
The new trend in consumer electronics at the moment is to make everything more efficient, therefore use less power and consequently run cooler.

This also allows things to run faster yet remain smaller and slimmer, as an elaborate cooling system would take up a lot of internal space in something as compact as an imac.

Thats without even going into the risks of liquid cooled systems. :eek:
 
I just had a sense of impending doom reading this. Just think about it logically water and electric. This is a marriage made in hell. This idea doesn't excite me, it scares me.
 
sk8mash said:
Also, you would have to top up the liquid cooling every so often. It's not exactly consumer friendly...
Click to expand...
Untrue a sealed water loop does not require topping up.
Mintin8 said:
It would cause quite a bit of damage but the liquid used would probably be non-conductive, so that is not a risk.
Click to expand...
because of overclockers like myself there are now many fluids you can purchase like fluid-xp that are safe if a leak does happen but a well built system does not leak. Things have moved on some what.
alphaod said:
Maybe Apple can use oil cooling; that way they can seal the computer up, so the only way to upgrade is to go back to the store where they charge an exorbitant price for labor.
Click to expand...
oil cooling isn't effective at all. Putting the heat in isn't an issue getting it out is the issue. Water or as close to water as you can have like fluid-xp as I've mentioned is the most effective heat transfer medium.

Let's put it this way I have a water cooled system running in an octo setup with sli gpu setup that is watercooled with a triple thermochill rad that is near silent. Offen it's quieter than my mini.

Apple could put a liquid cooling system in the problem is the big boys in the watercooling world that make generic cooling solutions that apple would go for are noisy and inneffective.

Gav
 
Gav2k said:
because of overclockers like myself there are now many fluids you can purchase like fluid-xp that are safe if a leak does happen but a well built system does not leak. Things have moved on some what.
Click to expand...

The thing that made the leaking on the Power Mac G5 even worse was the power supply was positioned at the bottom of the case, directly below the processors. In hindsight, it wasn't one of Apple's most sensible layouts. :rolleyes:
 
Gav2k said:
Untrue a sealed water loop does not require topping up.

because of overclockers like myself there are now many fluids you can purchase like fluid-xp that are safe if a leak does happen but a well built system does not leak. Things have moved on some what.
.....

Apple could put a liquid cooling system in the problem is the big boys in the watercooling world that make generic cooling solutions that apple would go for are noisy and inneffective.
Gav
Click to expand...
Exactly my thoughts. Why would a well built system leak, it can be made properly.
We can still hope that Apple would invent their own system - and make it properly!
 
MacApple21 said:
Exactly my thoughts. Why would a well built system leak, it can be made properly.
We can still hope that Apple would invent their own system - and make it properly!
Click to expand...

Well build = lots of designing = high quality parts = high price

When Apple makes thousands of iMacs everyday, there are always defective ones...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back