Another Peltier question

[Paradox]

Throughout some news posts I read somewhere that peltiers could freeze CPUs, and thats why CPUs shouldn't be idle... Could someone explain this?

[Brian R.]

The problem is not freezing the cpu, it is water vapor condensing on the cpu and the water freezing. If the cpu is idle, it does not produce enough heat to keep the system warm enough to prevent ice formation. The entire cpu/peltier assembly should be prevented from contacting the air with a insulating foam coating (or something equivalent). This will prevent water and ice build-up. The peltier may condense water from the air even when the cpu is operational. In some parts of the US in the summer, water will condense on any surface that isn't room temperature or above. On the other hand, in southern Arizona or Nevada or such, don't run your computer on the one or two days when it rains, and you don't even need to inslulate your peltier.

[Paradox]

Thanks, So, if the peltiers are properly insulated, there wouldn't be a problem?

[Brian R.]

Yes, you need to insulate any cold spot from contact with room air. It doesn't have to be air tight (that's probably impossible), just don't allow air flowing through your computer to have access to the surface.

[Paradox]

Thanks again!