Pouring Oil on Troubled Computers
May 12, 2005
In 1991, pioneer of Brit Art Damien Hirst shocked the art world when he exhibited a dissected shark in a tank of formaldehyde.
14 years later, Markus Leonhardt has electrified the world of computer geeks with a similar installation. He's placed his motherboard in a fish tank and drowned it in oil.
A liquid cooling legend
His radical approach to liquid cooling -- used to counter heat generated by the processor -- is certainly one way of reducing noise within his computer. He's been using this system for over a year and maintains it works perfectly.
It's good news for noise-sensitive PC users. Never again will you need to waste money getting an expert to install a costly liquid cooling kit for you. Markus hasn't specified what kind of oil he uses, but says that filling the tank set him back a mere 30 euros.
Geeky...and reeky
But before you throw out your tropical fish, take Markus' advice: store the aquarium under your desk rather than next to the keyboard and mouse -- or the capillary effect of the cables will cause seepage.
Perhaps you shouldn't try this at home. Another problem could be rancid oil -- smelly, corrosive, and bad for moving parts. The technique also depends on excessive power consumption.
Markus freely admits that lifting the lid on the aquarium can get ugly.
But unlike Damien Hirst's controversial shark (pictured above), at least no one gets hurt.