Newbie's Guide To WaterCooling

[MotF Bane]

Preface: I've built a few water loops, but never with a reservoir, and always with the sequence rad > CPU > (NB/GPU) > T > pump.

1) In the initial post, it says loop order doesn't matter. So it is acceptable to place the pump BEFORE the reservoir? I was taught it had to be the other way around, so I need to check for my peace of mind.

2) Using a vertical tube reservoir, with the pump connected before the reservoir, through the bottom port, and filling from the top port, could there be a problem with water being ejected upwards back through the fill? The reservoir would be in the middle of the loop, with the radiator overhead, and the pump directly below.

Thanks.

 

[aigomorla]

Preface: I've built a few water loops, but never with a reservoir, and always with the sequence rad > CPU > (NB/GPU) > T > pump.

1) In the initial post, it says loop order doesn't matter. So it is acceptable to place the pump BEFORE the reservoir? I was taught it had to be the other way around, so I need to check for my peace of mind.

2) Using a vertical tube reservoir, with the pump connected before the reservoir, through the bottom port, and filling from the top port, could there be a problem with water being ejected upwards back through the fill? The reservoir would be in the middle of the loop, with the radiator overhead, and the pump directly below.

Thanks.

In a closed loop the order wouldnt matter.
Because you got pressure going into the res.. and pressure forcing it out.

Flow is uniform in a loop, its pressure that isnt.

We recomend you always put the res b4 the pump for bleeding reasons.
Also the pump will never run dry if it has a res connected to the inlet.

We dont tell you to put the pump b4 the res because it will give u better temps.

Its all because it will make your looping job easier.

 

[MotF Bane]

Hm, I'll need to pull the loop out and turn the whole thing upside-down while filling then, otherwise the pump, at lowest point, would be dry. However, it can't be any worse bleeding than a T-line. I still hear bubbles occasionally, and it's been sealed for months.

 

[kzinti1]

I bought a CoolerMaster HAF-X to use as a base for a watercooling system. Unfortunately I quickly found that the push/pull set-up I want to use won't fit in the case top. Several people in another forum have said that this shouldn't be a problem but offered no directions or photos. I've been accumulating all the parts for several months now and they can't be returned so I'm asking if someone here would please help me.
The parts for the loop are as follows:
Thermochill PA 120.3 radiator wi/shroud, gaskets and 6 120mm Yate Loon fans-Swiftech MCP 655 pump mounted in an XSPC Dual 5.25" reservoir. All 1/2" fittings and an Ybris Black Sun cpu block on an ASUS Rampage 3 Extreme mobo.
CoolerMasters ad copy says that a 360 rad. will fit in the top but they, unfortunately, did not say that anything other than the rad. itself would fit there. It reminds me of a phrase, "sins of omission."
I have no doubt that this case can be watercooled, with extensive modifications, but I have zero knowledge as to how to accomplish this or the tools.
I would be eternally grateful for any help as I really don't think a rebranded Asetek (i.e. Corsair) bolt-on watercooler would be of any use for a near 5 ghz oc'd i7-920.
Thank you,
k1

 

[Synesthesia]

Hi all,

I plan on getting an LGA 2011 socket i7 (my system gets built around april 2011) and I plan to OC that a fair bit. Would any of you recommend WC for that, or just a really good fan system? I've been looking at Corsair's H50 system and the reviews look promising. Just thought i'd double check before making up my mind.

 

[Charlie Atom]

Hey thanks! I was not going to do water cooling but I feel much better about it now!

 

[Rifter]

Hi all,

I plan on getting an LGA 2011 socket i7 (my system gets built around april 2011) and I plan to OC that a fair bit. Would any of you recommend WC for that, or just a really good fan system? I've been looking at Corsair's H50 system and the reviews look promising. Just thought i'd double check before making up my mind.

Good luck. LGA 2011 will not be out in april.

So either buy now or settle for LGA 1155 when it hits the market soon.

The H50 is good but the top air coolers beat it so i personally would stick to air over a H50.

 

[Synesthesia]

Good luck. LGA 2011 will not be out in april.

So either buy now or settle for LGA 1155 when it hits the market soon.

The H50 is good but the top air coolers beat it so i personally would stick to air over a H50.

So the lga2011 isn't out in Q2 2011? If that's the case, I might as well get a 1336 i7 setup that can OC pretty well. Still want to stay in the h50 price range, so would you recommend a Venomous X?

 

[MisterDonut]

So the lga2011 isn't out in Q2 2011? If that's the case, I might as well get a 1336 i7 setup that can OC pretty well. Still want to stay in the h50 price range, so would you recommend a Venomous X?

Depending on what you're using your computer for, 1156 (or waiting for the 1155) would still be better options vs. 1366, imo. Anything high-end (ProMeg, VenX, NH-D14) seems to give you almost the same OC caps with minimal differences in temps (at least from what I've read about them). Whatever and wherever you can find the cheapest one gets my approval .

 

[smackababy]

Unless you have to have the latest and greatest there is no reason to skip a 1366 chipset if you need to upgrade.


As far as threads like this, I think there should be a lot more of them. Water cooling isn't hard with the right information and patience. Sure, it isn't for everyone, but it shouldn't be as intimidating as it may seem.

 

[carage]

I'm considering to buy a system from ibuypower, they are now running a promotion for free liquid cooling upgrade.
Is there anything I should be cautious about? Or has water cooling evolved to the point that is totally safe and does not require user intervention?
If my memory serves correct, at least I will have to change the coolant liquid every couple of months, I hope that doesn't involve anything that could damage components.

 

[Synesthesia]

I'm going to use my rig for probably 70% gaming and 30% 3D modelling (don't ask me what program lol). Anyways I digress, thanks to both of you for your help . I think i'll probably end up going for either the VenX or a slightly cheaper cooler. I don't like noisy fans, so probably nothing under 50 bucks.

 

[DNorth]

Thankyou sir, you are a legend.

 

[pandemonium]

Wow, appreciate the guide. Thanks for all your effort and well done!

 

[Googer]

Nice Guide, but...


Water Cooling = Big Headaches.

Air-Peltier Cooling for the win.

But if you do decide to go watercooling, be sure to pick a case with a TOP Mounted PSU.

 

[Infrnl]

Nice Guide, but...


Water Cooling = Big Headaches.

Air-Peltier Cooling for the win.

But if you do decide to go watercooling, be sure to pick a case with a TOP Mounted PSU.

Why do you say this? There are many cases that people use that have low mounted psu's. Might just need some extensions, but thats a possibility on top mounted as well

 

[Googer]

Why do you say this? There are many cases that people use that have low mounted psu's. Might just need some extensions, but thats a possibility on top mounted as well

If you leak water on a 1kw PSU....... High and dry.


Placing your water reservoir on the bottom below the components reduces the chances for a short. Heat build up from heatsinks also wont be an issue with a water cooling system anyhow. So a bottom mount has almost no benefit to these systems.

 

[aigomorla]

Nice Guide, but...


Water Cooling = Big Headaches.

Air-Peltier Cooling for the win.

But if you do decide to go watercooling, be sure to pick a case with a TOP Mounted PSU.

first part... no... not compared to what it used to be... watercooling has gotten dumb'd down so much its not really headaches anymore minus picking what u want to buy, because things did get more expensive.

No TEC's absolutely suck, unless u have them on a PWM controller, and your seriously milking CoP.

The only way u can milk CoP is either having a lot of tec's cooling liquid, or a couple of high powered ones having both hot side and cold side on water.

Air tec's are dead jim... u cant get enough heat removal on the hotside with modern processors.

Think i dont know tec's?

Been there and done it... dont want to do it again:

The last part...
Do you honestly expect to leak?
All my psu's are bottom mounted..

Why? cuz i use monster class psu's 1kw or greater.
Having them high warps the case at the top after a while from the pivit of the supply.

Personally i'll use a floor mounted psu, thank you. I dont worry about leaks that much, because leaks typically happen when you rush.

 

[Smartazz]

That's absolutely ridiculous Aigo, what kind of power does 5 peltiers use though?

 

[Googer]

That's absolutely ridiculous Aigo, what kind of power does 5 peltiers use though?

They can vary from 1watt to kilowatts. But for computer purposes, I suppose they can range from 30 to 300 watts.

 

[dfanatic86]

Very useful guide intend to use this info in the future. Thanks again!