Watercooling

From TheBestCaseScenario

Watercooling, is more of a cooling method for enthusiasts, people who wish to overclock and keep things cool. Watercooling is not cheap if you want a decent kit, and usually the best way to get a decent kit is to custom build it. So what do you need?

Well first lets describe how it all works, water is pumped around a series of tubes, into blocks placed on core components (CPU, GPU, NB, etc) the heat is carried by the water from the metal, into a reservoir to keep a supply of water, it is carried through radiators (like a car) where a fan draws air through removing heat from the metal. which results in cooler water.

So the list:

Pump - The main part really, this is needed to push coolant through the tubes, you need to make sure it is going to be able to push enough water (LPH/GPM) to keep a decent flowrate so the water doesn't slow down and really heat up. This can damage the pump if the water is too hot and tubing.

Blocks - Wether it's for the CPU, GPU, NB, SB, MOSFETS, RAM, HDDS, PSU or even the motherboard you will have at least one in your loop, this is the part that fits onto the component and acts like a Heatsink removing the heat, but instead of air to take that heat away it's water.

Reservior/T-Line - one of these will be needed to keep a supply of coolant ready, even though loops are sealed water can evaporate through the tubing.

Radiators - You will need one large enough to cool the component(s) you are cooling, most people use 240mm or 360mm radiators (that allows for 2 or 3 120mm fans) smaller and larger ones are avaliable, rember you will need enough fans too.

Tubing - IMPORTANT, forget this and it's not going to work well a tall... Tubing comes in a variety of sizes the more popular being 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4". The larger isn't as flexible but does allow for a higher flowrate. You may also see ID and OD measurements, this is Inner Diameter and Outer diameter.

Fittings/barbs - The barbs, make sure these will fit your tubing and screw into the radiators, pump and blocks if they don't have them already. Most will have 1/4"BSPT threads for radiators and other cooling equipment.

Coolant - A very important bit, make sure you get the right stuff. Distilled/de-ironised water and anti-freeze works well apparently, although there are many specifically formulated coolants out there these can be better and some are even non-conductive to give you peace of mid if you get a leak.

You will also need some way of securing tubing to fittings, this can be clamps, cable ties or jubilee clips.

Leak testing for 12hours minimum is recommended, leaks do not develop straight away, water slowly finds it's way out, DO NOT turn on hardware whilst leak testing just to be safe.

Then you're done and ready to see how much you can overclock.