hello everyone
I am thinking of having a water-cooling system, but I cannot visualise a worst scenario than the one where the system leaks!!
Has anyone ever experienced this, or are the cooling systems completely foolproof?
regards
acro666
Printable View
hello everyone
I am thinking of having a water-cooling system, but I cannot visualise a worst scenario than the one where the system leaks!!
Has anyone ever experienced this, or are the cooling systems completely foolproof?
regards
acro666
If the pump stops for whatever reason then CPU/GPU etc could overheat. Pumps like the DCC+ have an RPM monitor you can plug into a motherboard header so you can auto shutdown the PC if it drops below XXXX rpm.
Systems shouldn't leak if they're set up right though, just remember the water can need topping up every month or two, depends greatly on the type of res you use - some evaperate more than others.
You usually leak test the loop for like 36hrs to make sure its okay, if you use clamps and have connected everything well it should be fine with no leaks.
Also water cooling is not cheap!! I would rather upgrade your CPU instead of adding water cooling.
Air cooling can be as close to silent as you're going to get even with moderate overclocks.
So unless you want to overclock really high it probably isn't worth it.
As a technical exercise though i'm sure it's quite fun :)
I've always been cagey about putting water and pc's together but it's mainly the cost/benefit that puts me off.
If you take your time and do a lot of reading on the subject, and do plenty of leaktesting, you wont have any problems.
It really is just common sense, make sure everything it as tight as possible, clamps etc. Dont go pulling at the tubes, if you need to remove a waterblock, do it while the pump isnt running, that way, if there is a leak, it doest go everywhere.
Get lots of kitchen roll, this is great for putting all over your case while leaktesting because it show up even the tiniest splash of water.
I leak tested my water cooling system after the last round of changes and found that there was a serious leak that would have fried my pc if i hadnt taken my time and checked it all out it would have been game over :surprised:
As long as your sensible and take precaustions especially if you build it your self its superb (although expensive compared to air cooling):)
Currently doing my own setup now with watercooling my Q6600, 8800GTX and NB (Blitz Formula) Setting it up isn't that hard, i haven't finished yet as im awaiting delivery of 2 barbs for my 8800 block, only need one though...so its really lame i have a damn expensive PC and one barb is stopping me...
I will be leak testing for a minimum of 12 hours, i also decided to go with Feser One coolant, as it's Non-conductive, that way if i get any spills then i shouldn't have to worry, i will still lay out something to soak it up if i does want to leak.
I'm using Zip ties on my hose (im cheap like that) But i went the extra mile and have 2-3 on each barb.
Here's a related question - what do you do if you need to move your computer? How can you safely drain a water cooling loop?
The loop should be completely sealed, so even if you turned the case upside down, the worst that would happen is air in the tubes :)
You can drain the system pretty easily, just ease off one of the hoses (with the pump off), possibly one that is away from anything electrical, and use some kitchen roll and some plastic bags in case of spillage.
Can drain via the rad if you have a bleed valve on it. I find its the easiest way to drain mine without getting fluid on any components.
Thank you everyone. As I have no intention (that could be a M.Mouse idea!), of over-clocking a quad4 or 2, I think that I will forego the water bit and go for maximum CPU and case cooling, possibly the Coolmaster Stacker 830 which can accept 9 12omm fans. I should imagine the din with that lot rotating will be almost unbearable?
regards
acro666
If they are to load just use a fan controller to slow them down and speed them up when gaming or such.
You only get noise from fans when then spinning at high rpm, the more fans you have the slower than can spin indivually meaning overall your PC should be quieter.
These days most good cases use 120mm fans and the noise is usually generated by the cpu HSF which is usually smaller and thuis spins faster.
watercooling is similar to putting thermal paste on the cpu...if you do it right...nothing will happen...
i think the more important question is cost of getting a cpu watercooled and overclocked or getting a higher cpu with fan overclocked...
Thank you everyone for your thoughts on this problem.
regards
acro666
I used the non-conductive fluid, I've had leaks on mobo and v-card, Pump stops because the line was dry. Ordered a new pump, topped the old one off, fired it back up after letting everything dry for a day. Everything works!!??
I'm on my 2nd unit and rockin it hard,,,!!!
I just like getting alittle something extra out of her, The "scott" in me.
tex