Water-cooling Created 17 years ago2007-06-25 16:01:35 UTC by alexb911

I'm currently building a new system / upgrading and am using watercooling. Just wondered if anyone has experiences to share, etc... on the matter and your opinions on parts and what-not.

So far I've ordered / got / planning to get:

3 x SilenX Red Wing 120mm Fans
AlphaCool GT Stealth III Radiator
Danger Den TDX 775 CPU Block
XSPC 250mm Passive Resovoir
Laing D5 12V Pump

...all 1/2" barbs

Your opinions are welcome... I know I'd do better on a OC or WC website but I'm just interested to see who else has taken the plunge (excuse the pun)

I think Grim had a water-cooled system... but it exploded on him, so now he doesn't . You should talk to him.

Watercooling is awesome if you want to get more performance out of your PC. But be warned - it requires more maintenance than an air-cooled system.

Yar... me wants performance! I just wana get the most of out my C2Q and my graphics card keeps overheating... even at stock and with an after-market cooler. The airflow in my case sucks ATM, I've done a terrible job at wiring!

I also plan to get the new Lian Li PC-A71... when its actually released - I need more space to work with!

http://www.lian-li.com/product/product06.php?pr_index=113&cl_index=1&sc_index=2&ss_index=8&type=a

Make sure to use coolant instead of water, it lasts longer and never has anything bad in it, eg no possibility for algee growth. It also is normally non-conductive so if you ever spring a leak it won't short anything.

Yeah... although a lot of people suggest a mixture of distilled water and coolant.

I also need some tubing.... B&Q here I come! lol

Get non-conductive coolant in it.. I had liquid cooling, it cracked, and now my PC is dead. I could've just put in a fan by now if the coolant (conductive) didnt fry everything. (Although.. I have my warranty to fix it whenever my parent feel like shipping it off )

What product supports water damage under it's warranty?

Non conductive coolant is all well and good, but don't think you can not worry about a leak in your system.

'Coolant' is basically ionized water, which is not conductive when contained within a sealed system.

However it gradually becomes conductive when exposed to oxygen.

A leak wouldn't cause major problems immediately but about 5 mins after it leaks onto your board, you're going to get a short.

All of your components sound fine, but go for as high CFM fans as possible, silent fans are always really low CFM and thus aren't really that effecient. For a coolant use "1 drop of Spectrus (biocide) + 1 drop of Continuum (corrosion inhibitor) + 1.5oz glycerine (raises water's thermal conductivity co-efficient) to a litre of distilled water according to Hound53. If you can't get that, then Zerex at 5%" (quoted from a well known overclocking/cooling forum). You don't need any fancy expensive coolants, distilled water alone is very good but you'd do well to add a corrosion inhibitor and a biocide to prolong the life of your loop.

Make sure you use thread tape (PTFE) and good metal hoseclips too unless you want everything to end up leaking and going wrong. Once again, you DO NOT need expensive "non-conductive" coolants if you do everything right. Distilled water is THE BEST coolant around, it may not be the safest if you are totally retarded and don't leak test everything, but provided you have a smallest bit of commonsense it should be fine. Just make sure you use DEIONIZED/DISTILLED water and DO NOT use tap water under any circumstances, especially if you have hard water in your area because it WILL fuck your pump up and unless you keep it running 24/7 it WILL corrode your block and possibly your tubing.

Well... finally got my new comp built today / yesterday. Thanks everyone for your help - especially m0p. I end up using Zerex, it seemed far less hassle.

The final line-up was:

Intel C2D E6850 @ 3.48ghz (currently - will be higher)
ASUS Commando MB
2GB Corsair Ballistix PC2-6400
Silverstone Black TJ-07 case (fucking massive.... and over 200 quid!)

the rest of the crap was from my old pc, 200GB and 300GB HDs and Opticals.

and as above... except the fans are currently Silverstones as well as gave me loads free

3 x SilenX Red Wing 120mm Fans (radiator)
AlphaCool GT Stealth III Radiator
Danger Den TDX 775 CPU Block
XSPC 250mm Passive Reservoir
Laing D5 12V Pump
AlphaCool (I think) X1900 WB - useless ATM!!!

However, I killed my X1900XTX - one of the resistors / capacitors exploded!!! I went f**king mad - and started kicking things.

...Is there anything I can do about this - DIY job? Any ideas PLEASE!!!

Anywhere, might post some pics later... CPUs idling @ 26 Celsius ATM, but im stuck using an X850XT PE which sucks so benchmarking is useless.

Its late.... im tired.

Thanks

What the fuck? Those things freeze easy, not take in heat.

Get out.

Huh? Thanks, but the liquids ok - its just the card im pissed off about. I just bought another 2nd hand one of Ebay today to replace - still an X1900XTX. Might as well try and sell this one for... well, something.

Although when it comes... not sure whether to Water cool it - as I think that caused the resistor to explode. I missed a bit with thermal paste. Damn.