Can a system be... too cold?

[da na]

Yes I know that low temps can damage hardware, but how practical is this? How likely is it that this actually happens in a real life scenario?

[Guest]

This really only becomes a problem with LN2 (and other methods of sub-ambient) overclocking...

[minibois]

Sub ambient temperatures can result in condensation which can damage your hardware, but that is not something that a normal PC user will encounter, as sub ambient temperatures require specific coolers.

[Eigenvektor]

Extreme overclocker using LN2 or a researcher at the North-/Southpole?

[Master Disaster]

AFAIK low temps don't really damage hardware, what causes the damage is condensation forming around the hot components in the cold air.

[nightmarevoid]

I believe anything below ambient is dangerous because it will allow condensation to form. Unless you have very low humidity in your area, This is probably around 10 degrees C

[NattyKathy]

like others have said, there's condensation danger if the temperature of the computer components drops below ambient. If the ambient temperature itself is low the main danger would be to fan (and pump, if installed) bearings. If the ambient temperature is so low that the computer itself goes below 0*C there is potential for damage to lithium battery cells and some electrolytic capacitors. Extremely cold ambient temperatures (like in the order of perhaps -20C or below) could potentially pose a risk of coolant freezing in liquid cooled systems if the computer is turned off and not producing heat/circulating fluid but that's such extreme conditions I've never heard of it happening. 

[whm1974]

Before SSDs become cheaper and more common placed, Hard Drives would break in really cold places.

[Bitter]

Some flash memory dislike being very cold and slow down/stop working.

[Moonzy]

Assuming realistic ambient temperature, nothing

 

Unless your PC is colder than ambient (you bring it in from a cold place to a warmer place) then condensation can form

 

But, I'm not too sure how data can remain in HDD and SSD under extreme cold temperature like -40c ambient

Damage, no. Data loss, maybe(?)

 

Rubber insulation on your wires may also harden and crack, risking shorts, same goes for cheap thermal paste(?)