Watercooling

[crazzyyredneck]

I just built a new PC and it runs great but i would like to try out watercooling, ive never used it before and ive actually never seen it be used in person. ive been looking at different kits at www.xoxide.com, ebay, and other sites but not sure what i want or what i need. i know that i want to cool the CPU, memory, and my video card. alot of the kits that ive seen only do the CPU or the video card or whatever. Any suggestions?

[Silenced_Coyote]

You don't have to buy a kit. Just buy the stuff you need and want to cool.

[crazzyyredneck]

what all am i going to need. sorry if im sounding stupid but im clueless about watercooling.

[Silenced_Coyote]

Here is an introduction to water cooling article from Tech ARP:
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=376&pgno=0

[crazzyyredneck]

ok cool thank you.:)

[nil8]

I wrote this up in another thread, I'll copy it here.

"Watercooling isn't that hard. It helps immensely to be comfortable working on computers and doing some more advanced work. If you don't have this, don't worry. It's what this community is here for.

You can buy your parts separately, just make sure you have the same size tubing going from 1 part to another. There are 2 different sized tubes that are commonly used(1/2" and 3/8"). Most kits use 3/8".

Everything is compatible as long as it has the same tube sizes. Going from a 1/2" fitting on one piece to a 3/8" fitting can be done, but it's tedious and not going to give the correct visual appeal of water tubing and causes more possible leak points.

Your basic watercooling system consists of your waterblock(s), pump, radiator. I highly suggest a reservoir for filling/bleeding the system.

Another thing is to make your reservoir the high point of your system, so the air will bleed quicker and easier.

I've built a couple of WC rigs. The best loop I've found is pump->reservoir->cpu block->gpu block->radiator->pump. Other guys might have different opinions or ideas, this is mine. Take it with a grain of salt.

Most of all, be patient. The computer I'm typing on right now is watercooled and I rebuilt the water loop at least a dozen times to fix issues. Be patient, take care of your equipment and occasionally monitor your system for problems.

Another suggestion I have is the Criticool powerplant. I've found it to be insanely useful for troubleshooting problems without having the computer on. The other upside is that when you hit the power button on your box, your pump turns on too. The only other options are leave it on 24/7 or plug it in every time you use your computer. If you forget it once, the water will heat up and can cause failure. The type of tubing used in wc setups isn't designed for boiling heat.

Soft tubing and high gph/lph pumps cause problems. The tubes can't take the pressure and start to close in on themselves. Use harder tubing on the pump intake. Most DIY stores have hard tubing in their plumbing section. It's meant for refrigerators or to move water.

If your fittings are threaded, buy some teflon tape and use it. A couple of wraps of your fittings threaded ends will do. It helps keep things watertight and is necessary due to small gaps caused by manufacturing. Hardware stores will have it.

Cable ties moving in opposite directions on the same fitting normally will keep it watertight. A pair of needle nose pliers and a little pressure will normally stop would-be leaks as long as your tubing is cut flush. Cable ties can be found anywhere and a few hundred small ones shouldn't cost more than 5 bucks.

I would also suggest keeping a couple extra seals around just in case. Better safe than sorry. Also, paper towels or some other way of catching fluid. Draining systems can get messy.

A little tip on draining: As soon as you remove a tube from a closed loop, you have 2 parts leaking fluid. This is no good. You have to be quick about this, but using your thumb as a watertight seal works well. The air will displace through the tube and your thumb will keep the water in place in whatever part of the system you just pulled the tube from."

I hope this helps.

I've personally had a couple of broken seals, a reservoir that wasn't level, a lot of tubing leaks, twists in my tubes and times when I've lost my patience.

Give yourself plenty of space to work and make sure you have something to clean up the mess with. You will make a mess the first time you drain your system to fix something.

[crazzyyredneck]

what are the chances of a leak happening? and can different radiatior brands be mixed with different pump/resivor brands?

[nil8]

Leaks happen. When you first set your system up you do something called bleeding. This is a fancy way of saying that you connect your wc loop and test it for leaks before you turn on your pc.

They can as long as they meet the same tube diameter.

[Spawn-Inc]

Another suggestion I have is the Criticool powerplant. I've found it to be insanely useful for troubleshooting problems without having the computer on. The other upside is that when you hit the power button on your box, your pump turns on too. The only other options are leave it on 24/7 or plug it in every time you use your computer. If you forget it once, the water will heat up and can cause failure. The type of tubing used in wc setups isn't designed for boiling heat.

I would also suggest keeping a couple extra seals around just in case. Better safe than sorry. Also, paper towels or some other way of catching fluid. Draining systems can get messy.


how do the pump hook up to the power supply? isn't it a molex plug and when you turn the computer on the pump does too!?!?

also how often should you drain the system and why? (or is that to fix a problem)


you say you have had leaks, how bad is it for the electronics? e.g lets say some water spilt from the cpu block and dripped into the video cards pci slot and connected all the connecters would it fry the card/mobo?

i work at a gm dealership and they have tablets for a small leak in the rad if there was a small leak that i couldn't find could i put in a tablet to help or no because of the plastic hose

[progbuddy]

how do the pump hook up to the power supply? isn't it a molex plug and when you turn the computer on the pump does too!?!?

also how often should you drain the system and why? (or is that to fix a problem)


you say you have had leaks, how bad is it for the electronics? e.g lets say some water spilt from the cpu block and dripped into the video cards pci slot and connected all the connecters would it fry the card/mobo?

i work at a gm dealership and they have tablets for a small leak in the rad if there was a small leak that i couldn't find could i put in a tablet to help or no because of the plastic hose

1- Yes, it is either a molex, but it could also be an AC power cord for external models.

2- Only if you see problems (high CPU temps, clumps in tubing, leakage, etc.) you should drain it and refill it to see if that helps the problem.

3- Some PC coolants are non-conductive, and they shouldn't harm most electronics.

4- Always break in the water cooler on a tray of some sort (leave it running for about 24 hours) before putting it in your PC/on top of your PC.

It's all common sense stuff.

[Spawn-Inc]

1- Yes, it is either a molex, but it could also be an AC power cord for external models.

2- Only if you see problems (high CPU temps, clumps in tubing, leakage, etc.) you should drain it and refill it to see if that helps the problem.

3- Some PC coolants are non-conductive, and they shouldn't harm most electronics.

4- Always break in the water cooler on a tray of some sort (leave it running for about 24 hours) before putting it in your PC/on top of your PC.

It's all common sense stuff.

2 and 4 i can see being common sense but not 1 and 3 and like i said(i think i did...). i haven't done water cooling and when ur gonna spend 2500 on just the computer then i'd like to be sure.

[w0lv3r1n3]

I'm replacing my ThermalTake SE watercooling kit with
the asetek 03-L-1340 CPU Cooling kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835703010
It's a great deal considering it includes the Antartica CPU Cooler Block
and the Asetek Xtreme WaterPump ( I also already have the LCD for it )
It also includes the Hardware Labs Black Ice Pro 120mm Radiator..
Hell of a deal for $119 !
I am replacing the tubing included in the kit with PrimoFlex Red Tubing
- 3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD.. and using the PrimoChill ICE (32 oz.) - UV Red
coolant..