Watercooling Advice

[jiggiwiddit]

I've posted this pic in my project work log but thought I'd post here for extra feedback.

This is my first attempt at water cooling. I want two separate cooling loops so that I can have two different colors of liquid in the case.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj67/jiggiwiddit/loops.jpg

I have ordered This Block (http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product_info.php/info/p5302_Alphacool-NexXxoS-GP-N9800-NVidia-9800GTX.html) for the graphics card. And This CPU Block (http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/OCZ-HydroFlow-HF-MK1-CPU-Block-775-1366-AM2-AM3_1327.html)

I also want to ask. Which is better? Barb or compression fittings? I like the tidy look of compressions but I'm willing to sacrifice looks if barbs with spring clips are more reliable regarding leaks.

Any advice/feedback is gratefully received :)

[diluzio91]

from what i've been reading, if you have the right sized tubing for the fitting compression are much more reliable. And they are purrrrrty

[SXRguyinMA]

my system had all compression fittings, and I rearranged it over the years, sometimes used new tubing where needed, and use old tubing where I could, and never once had a leak with any of the fittings :up:

[Trace]

I've never had a leak with barb fittings either so. I've basically stopped leak testing before installing. >1hr I figure I'm safe.
First install however, I leaktested 24hrs+

[x88x]

I think as long as you don't have tight corners right out of the fittings and use quality tubing it really doesn't matter anymore. I've used barbs for both of my loops, the only place where I use clamps is on the pump, and I've never had any leaks. Well, ok, I had one, but that was because I was an idiot...no teflon tape on the threads on the fittings at the absolute bottom of my loop... :facepalm:

[jiggiwiddit]

many thanks guys, think I'll go for compressions as they do look 'purrrrty'
cheers :up: :)

[Spawn-Inc]

for the sake of saving you alot of cleaning time, ditch any plans of dyes or coloured liquids, and opt for coloured tubing instead.

many dyes tend to clog up for your blocks overtime and can be a pain to clean up afterwords.

[jiggiwiddit]

Thanks for the info spawn :up: I'd like as little maintenance as possible but I need the reservoirs to be colored to get the effect I'm after. I might have a look for colored plexi tube as I haven't ordered it yet.

[x88x]

If you get colored fluid, like Feser 1's stuff, you won't have to worry about sediments/etc.

[Spawn-Inc]

If you get colored fluid, like Feser 1's stuff, you won't have to worry about sediments/etc.

they are one of the worst from what i've read. i have used there dyes (red and blue) and the red stained like crazy and had a bit of build up in my gpu block after 6 months. the blue lightly dyed my tubing but had more build up in my cpu block, again 6 months in. also feser looses it's colour fairly quickly.

i stopped following the thread, but 3 months in there was no breakdown or loss of colouring.
so if i HAD to use dye, then i would go with that.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=230290&highlight=water+dye&page=29


another thought for your res would be to buying some coloured cellophane and wrap it, or even see if there is some auto tint in the colour you want.

[x88x]

Were you using the dye (http://www.dangerden.com/store/feser-uv-water-dye.html) or the colored fluid (http://www.dangerden.com/store/non-conductive-formulas/)? They sell both and they're chemically different. I've been using the colored fluid for about 9 months now, and while it did stain my tubing, I've had absolutely no buildup in any of my blocks or pump.

[Spawn-Inc]

i used the dyes, but i also read several reports about the coolants doing the same. especially their black coolant. it would be a clear liquid and little dots of black.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=226632&highlight=feser+dye+separating

[x88x]

Wow, that's pretty bad...so yeah, no dye mixes. :P

I actually use the black coolant though, and it's a solid black, not clear with dots. In my old case it stayed around 60-70C most of the time and I never had any issues other than the coloring of the tubing.

IDK, use what you like; just saying...

[Spawn-Inc]

ya, there is always exceptions to everything so if it's been working for you that long keep on truckin.

some people even have good luck with thermaltake :)

[jiggiwiddit]

another thought for your res would be to buying some coloured cellophane and wrap it, or even see if there is some auto tint in the colour you want.

I like this idea Spawn. One of the reservoirs will be cylinder shaped and 'lying on its side' and I've found light green tint plexi that can form the flat face that I want colored. The other res is an upright cylinder and I've e-mailed a sign making company that uses transparent red self-adhesive film. :up:

[jiggiwiddit]

Were you using the dye (http://www.dangerden.com/store/feser-uv-water-dye.html) or the colored fluid (http://www.dangerden.com/store/non-conductive-formulas/)? They sell both and they're chemically different. I've been using the colored fluid for about 9 months now, and while it did stain my tubing, I've had absolutely no buildup in any of my blocks or pump.

Thanks for input x88x, I'm thinking that I can change my cooling plan to one loop and get the effect I want for less cost. :)

[SXRguyinMA]

ya, there is always exceptions to everything so if it's been working for you that long keep on truckin.

some people even have good luck with thermaltake :)

like me :D

I had one pump fail, but it was replaced with their newer P500 unit and I never had a single issue after that

[Spawn-Inc]

like me :D

I had one pump fail, but it was replaced with their newer P500 unit and I never had a single issue after that

lol your the one person i was thinking of when i was typing that :)

[SXRguyinMA]

yea I figured so :P