EVGA’s Roboclocker Makes AIO LN2 Cooling A Reality

News
By Derek Forrest
published

EVGA developed the world’s first all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler that uses liquid nitrogen (LN2) for extreme overclocking. Meet the Roboclocker.

Developed with world record overclocker Vince Lucido (also known as KINGPIN), the Roboclocker cools the CPU and GPU with LN2 that’s automatically fed from large tanks with a long hose. The excess gas (as the LN2 heats up, it phases to a gas) is automatically exhausted from an insulated pipe at the top of the chassis. Sensors that detect the temperatures of the CPU and GPU route to a controller that keeps them at almost any temperature you want (KINGPIN stated that he has been able to get as low as -106C).

LN2 cooling is not a new phenomenon, and extreme overclockers have been using the sub-zero substance as a relatively inexpensive method of achieving clock rate glory for quite some time. However, the process is tedious and a labor intensive endeavor, as you have to constantly add LN2 to the open styrofoam pots that encase the components. This is the first public attempt any company made to create an automatic system that applies bursts of LN2 to the components as needed.

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EVGA stated that KINGPIN plans to continue development of the Roboclocker, but that it definitely won’t be hitting the market as a retail product any time soon. However, there is hope that we’ll be able to bring extreme overclocking home in the distant future.

“This is the next step,” said Vince Lucido. “LN2 cooling for the masses.”

Derek Forrest
Derek Forrest
Derek Forrest is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He writes hardware news and reviews gaming desktops and laptops.
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11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • danthemanoz
    Finally! A decent cooling solution... LOL :p
    Reply
  • jossrik
    I like it, but aren't all the names taken, like frozen, chill, ice, sub-zero, etc, etc.
    Reply
  • Synynyster
    Psh No RBG lighting ill pass
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    Just in time to ensure proper cooling of AMD's FX-9xxx series of CPUs! :sarcastic:
    Reply
  • triley
    21035962 said:
    Just in time to ensure proper cooling of AMD's FX-9xxx series of CPUs! :sarcastic:

    That's the joke you went with, Intel could have gotten an even higher Cinebench score with their new 28 core i9 using this.
    Reply
  • stdragon
    Finally, an extreme solution! I love it!

    WARNING!!! - Be careful around nitrogen. The gas itself is harmless. It's the fact it displaces oxygen in a room that can cause you to pass out and physically injure yourself from a fall. At worst, too much and you might not ever wake up again! Unlike holding your breath where the buildup of CO2 makes you want to breath for more air, breathing nitrogen goes unnoticed until you pass out.

    So yeah, use this in a well ventilated area or preferably outside.
    Reply
  • ehmkec
    If any of the surfaces get below the 'dewpoint' temperature then moisture will start to come out of the air. I'm sure this is considered - else your case starts to resemble an old fridge freezer caked with ice. Or a nice fog with rain.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    Well if they design all the components with multiple thermal protection layers from reaction of ambient room and case temp (and humidity), any condensation and/or O2 sucking will be a non-issue. Of course doing this would make the tubes and fittings larger. This is probably what they are working on the most and why a consumer AIO version won't be released anytime soon.

    Regarding getting light headed around NO2 (aka laughing gas dentists use), as a licensed pilot, we are trained to recognize the effects of hypoxia from a lack of oxygen. If you start getting fuzzy headed and can't think clearly, you put on the standby O2 mask like yesterday. Warning labels should be on any NO2 consumer AIO product of this happening, especially in smaller rooms with not much ventilation. As CO2 is heavier than either O2 or NO2, buying a CO2 detector and placing it in a low position near where are you sitting would help give an early warning, but it's not fool proof.
    Reply
  • TJ Hooker
    21036987 said:
    Regarding getting light headed around NO2 (aka laughing gas dentists use)
    (Liquid) nitrogen is N2, not N2O (nitrous oxide, AKA laughing gas). Hence the acronym LN2 for liquid nitrogen (cooling).
    Reply
  • BulkZerker
    "Just in time to ensure proper cooling of AMD's FX-9xxx series of CPUs! :sarcastic:"

    Shame it isn't powerful enough for covefe lake.
    Reply