video card hit by coolant

[edmundoab]

Dear all,

This gives me the horrible feeling, I am using Corsair Cool Water Cooling.
Recent, It was having a minor leakage that lead coolant dripping to my X800 XL Card slowly.

I did not notice the degree of liquid my card was exposed to until one day it just started up with color distortion and could not display the windows startup screen.

Now I cleaned all the liquid and has left it to dry.
I wonder what are my chance that it will still be functional?
If not, should I send it back to Canada for repair, is it worth it? Time to get a new card you guys think? and stop wasting

Turn around time and money involved?

BTW, I am current in Malaysia

 

[Stumps]

depends, how long the coolant had been leaking, I had a leak from my Thermaltake Water cooling system on to my mobo awhile back which caused constant random lockups, after cleaning and drying the mobo and fixing the leaks it was good as new and worked fine.
just let it dry and test it, it should work computer parts are pretty hardy these days.

 

[edmundoab]

ok, I will make sure it dries it properly before reassembling for a last tryout.

Mean time, water cooling really did give me a bad impression on its reliability.

I can only tighten the connection so much. And still being fluid, somehow it escapes the valve due to pressure.
Anyway is it worth the repair? I heard like ATI does the repair for US$ 70, not including shipping charges incured.

 

[Stumps]

after I corrected the leak in my system, it has run flawlessly for the past 2 years or so, I just give it an ocassional coolant change and away it goes again , quiet and cool.
as for your video card well I couldn't say if it is worth repairing, if it is still under warranty take it back to where you bought it and get them to do the warranty on it. just don't mention the coolant leak thats all, it's a bit dishonest but hey, what ever works!

 

[Eureka]

I'd say there's a good chance that it would be functional, just hope it didn't short out completely.

Norm

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
Dear all,

This gives me the horrible feeling, I am using Corsair Cool Water Cooling.
Recent, It was having a minor leakage that lead coolant dripping to my X800 XL Card slowly.

I did not notice the degree of liquid my card was exposed to until one day it just started up with color distortion and could not display the windows startup screen.

Now I cleaned all the liquid and has left it to dry.
I wonder what are my chance that it will still be functional?
If not, should I send it back to Canada for repair, is it worth it? Time to get a new card you guys think? and stop wasting

Turn around time and money involved?

BTW, I am current in Malaysia

Chances are your card is dead if it was operating while the coolant dropped on it.

 

[Zebo]

Mean time, water cooling really did give me a bad impression on its reliability.

Only cause you bought junk - there's an expression "penny wise and pound foolish" coming to mind here. a Wasted $400 Vcard when for $100 more you could have bought real parts that won't leak. Used real SS hose clamps that won't leak. Use 1//2" hose that won't puncture. Use real pumps designed for watercooling. Used blocks with real barbs on them and that won't crack.


Water coooling is not to be taken lightly. Much research and common sense needed (or just go swiftech completly) You really get what you pay for and $250 minimum is needed to do it proper with a GPU block in loop.

Sorry to hear about your card and I know it's not your fault since companies market this stuff as "simple and safe" and quite a fun novelty to have - but as a PSA I think people should'nt really buy certain kits - disaster waiting to happen.

I can't speak for the German products - but shopping here I'd only buy swiftech or DD and then only certain blocks - no aluminum in them (galvanic corrosion) no plastic in them (thermal cycling causes cracking) certian pumps, DC pumps from German Laing. And certain resevoirs and tubing and connection types.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Mean time, water cooling really did give me a bad impression on its reliability.

Only cause you bought junk - there's an expression "penny wise and pound foolish" coming to mind here. a Wasted $400 Vcard when for $100 more you could have bought real parts that won't leak. Used real SS hose clamps that won't leak. Use 1//2" hose that won't puncture. Use real pumps designed for watercooling. Used blocks with real barbs on them and that won't crack.


Water coooling is not to be taken lightly. Much research and common sense needed (or just go swiftech completly) You really get what you pay for and $250 minimum is needed to do it proper with a GPU block in loop.

Sorry to hear about your card and I know it's not your fault since companies market this stuff as "simple and safe" and quite a fun novelty to have - but as a PSA I think people should'nt really buy those kits - disaster waiting to happen.

QFT. People need to learn that if they want to experiment with alternate cooling like water, they need to do the proper research and pay the price for good quality parts. I'll add to Zebo's quote: "You get what you pay for". Buying garbage will yield undesirable results, don't blame it on water cooling, blame yourself for not spending a little extra and buying reliable parts. I've been using high quality water cooling parts for a year now without any problems at all and I've changed out the water in my system countless times without even a drip.

 

[JBT]

I had a water system leak in my PC before. It was only for a few minutes but the water got all in the AGP slot while my 6800 GT was running. I immidiatly powered off the system once I saw what was going on and then quickly disconnected everything and got everything unplugged. There was water all over tha card and AGP slot but I got every last bit of water out of the system and let it sit for a few days.

After getting all my air cooling installed back on everything all was well and nothing was damaged permanently. I consider my self lucky but in all likelyness your stuff should be fine as well. Just make sure everything is 100% dry and there is no water left and you should be good to go.

 

[edmundoab]

you are saying that CORSAIR COOL is junk?

its still about US$ 200 when i got it from SVC.com

of course I made sure it was tight, as tight as I could get it too as I know how important it is that coolant do not leak into the PCB.

Yes I was operating it while the coolant leak.
Only realize whats wrong with it after it showed distortion in display.

thats when I realize that it was already gradually leaking.
Took it about 9 months ever since I installed it in May 2005 before the CPU block didn't hold the supposedly water pressure.

Of course I did my homework and bought whatever I could afford.
It was stock accesories and the reference design was Swiftech

 

[Avalon]

it's probably fine. I used to work at a PC repair shop, and people would bring in laptops and desktops all the time that they spilt water or coke into/onto while running them. It just takes some cleaning and some airing out. Most of the time, all was well.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
you are saying that CORSAIR COOL is junk?

its still about US$ 200 when i got it from SVC.com

of course I made sure it was tight, as tight as I could get it too as I know how important it is that coolant do not leak into the PCB.

Yes I was operating it while the coolant leak.
Only realize whats wrong with it after it showed distortion in display.

thats when I realize that it was already gradually leaking.
Took it about 9 months ever since I installed it in May 2005 before the CPU block didn't hold the supposedly water pressure.

Of course I did my homework and bought whatever I could afford.
It was stock accesories and the reference design was Swiftech

Actually I take back what I said, it's not even about spending more money but rather spending it wisely. The Corsair kit isn't very good, in fact most kits are subpar compared to custom setups. A wiser choice would've been a bonnevile heatercore (DD sells some), swiftech pump, swiftech or DD cpu block, and a maze 4 gpu block and some metal hose clamps. Oh by the way, since your stuff is leaking, try using some plumbers tape on the thread or just seal it using silicon sealant.

 

[Conky]

Watercooling any component in a computer is basically a terrible idea. Water and computers don't mix and if you are doing it to be cheap then you are starting out doing it for the wrong reasons. Get a VapoChill case if you are serious about cooling.

Everyone I know that has dabbled in this has met with failure at some point. As hardcore as liquid cooling may seem it's a bad, bad, bad idea.

To the original poster, let that card dry out completely before you try to send it away for repair... you may get lucky and have it work fine after this.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Watercooling any component in a computer is basically a terrible idea. Water and computers don't mix and if you are doing it to be cheap then you are starting out doing it for the wrong reasons. Get a VapoChill case if you are serious about cooling.

Everyone I know that has dabbled in this has met with failure at some point. As hardcore as liquid cooling may seem it's a bad, bad, bad idea.

To the original poster, let that card dry out completely before you try to send it away for repair... you may get lucky and have it work fine after this.

The purpose of water cooling is two fold:

1. To cool down components.
2. To achieve the aforementioned and reduce noise and increase overclocks.

There's only a big risk associated with it if you don't know what you're doing. Vapochill is overpriced and just as dangerous with regards to condensation.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Watercooling any component in a computer is basically a terrible idea. Water and computers don't mix and if you are doing it to be cheap then you are starting out doing it for the wrong reasons. Get a VapoChill case if you are serious about cooling.

Everyone I know that has dabbled in this has met with failure at some point. As hardcore as liquid cooling may seem it's a bad, bad, bad idea.

To the original poster, let that card dry out completely before you try to send it away for repair... you may get lucky and have it work fine after this.

The purpose of water cooling is two fold:

1. To cool down components.
2. To achieve the aforementioned and reduce noise and increase overclocks.

There's only a big risk associated with it if you don't know what you're doing. Vapochill is overpriced and just as dangerous with regards to condensation.

No doubt there are condensation risks with a VapoChill case... risks I personally would be happy to take.

But most folks trying to do discount watercooling for their videocard/cpu/whatever are in for a hurting. Leaks are a constant with these cheap solutions and they have flooded the market lately.

Personally, I would rather remove the side of my case and position an industrial fan to point inside my box than risk having water dripping on all my high-dollar parts.

And, as I have pointed out to many overclockers in the past... if it costs more to get you to a certain level instead of just buying the hardware then you lose. Overclocking is about being cheap.... not about spending $200 on RAM to make your processor seem like a $50 higher CPU.

 

[extra]

Chances are your card is probably fine. Let it dry out good and fix your leak. If you are that paranoid, plug the card in in another computer if you have one laying around.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Watercooling any component in a computer is basically a terrible idea. Water and computers don't mix and if you are doing it to be cheap then you are starting out doing it for the wrong reasons. Get a VapoChill case if you are serious about cooling.

Everyone I know that has dabbled in this has met with failure at some point. As hardcore as liquid cooling may seem it's a bad, bad, bad idea.

To the original poster, let that card dry out completely before you try to send it away for repair... you may get lucky and have it work fine after this.

The purpose of water cooling is two fold:

1. To cool down components.
2. To achieve the aforementioned and reduce noise and increase overclocks.

There's only a big risk associated with it if you don't know what you're doing. Vapochill is overpriced and just as dangerous with regards to condensation.

No doubt there are condensation risks with a VapoChill case... risks I personally would be happy to take.

But most folks trying to do discount watercooling for their videocard/cpu/whatever are in for a hurting. Leaks are a constant with these cheap solutions and they have flooded the market lately.

Personally, I would rather remove the side of my case and position an industrial fan to point inside my box than risk having water dripping on all my high-dollar parts.

And, as I have pointed out to many overclockers in the past... if it costs more to get you to a certain level instead of just buying the hardware then you lose. Overclocking is about being cheap.... not about spending $200 on RAM to make your processor seem like a $50 higher CPU.

Like I noted above, a good water cooling kit (not a pre-made one) can be assembled for a relatively cheap price and be re-used over and over. I'll reiterate what I said again, water cooling is fantastic as long as you know what you are doing.

 

[edmundoab]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Watercooling any component in a computer is basically a terrible idea. Water and computers don't mix and if you are doing it to be cheap then you are starting out doing it for the wrong reasons. Get a VapoChill case if you are serious about cooling.

Everyone I know that has dabbled in this has met with failure at some point. As hardcore as liquid cooling may seem it's a bad, bad, bad idea.

To the original poster, let that card dry out completely before you try to send it away for repair... you may get lucky and have it work fine after this.

The purpose of water cooling is two fold:

1. To cool down components.
2. To achieve the aforementioned and reduce noise and increase overclocks.

There's only a big risk associated with it if you don't know what you're doing. Vapochill is overpriced and just as dangerous with regards to condensation.

No doubt there are condensation risks with a VapoChill case... risks I personally would be happy to take.

But most folks trying to do discount watercooling for their videocard/cpu/whatever are in for a hurting. Leaks are a constant with these cheap solutions and they have flooded the market lately.

Personally, I would rather remove the side of my case and position an industrial fan to point inside my box than risk having water dripping on all my high-dollar parts.

And, as I have pointed out to many overclockers in the past... if it costs more to get you to a certain level instead of just buying the hardware then you lose. Overclocking is about being cheap.... not about spending $200 on RAM to make your processor seem like a $50 higher CPU.

Like I noted above, a good water cooling kit (not a pre-made one) can be assembled for a relatively cheap price and be re-used over and over. I'll reiterate what I said again, water cooling is fantastic as long as you know what you are doing.

I admit that I am inexperience about water cooling as it had been a new ball game for me since the beginning of last year.
Never really know what to expect so on and so forth.

Still, if people would say that Swiftech is a good brand.
And so I have a swifttech water block, i bought it from crazy pc

 

[ayabe]

i was under the impression that the Corsair kits use all swiftech parts, so I think the quality issue is a moot point, if I am wrong please correct me.

I think this is more of an issue with assembly and not taking the time to ensure the best possible seals. But regardless of what precautions are taken, there can and will be failures from time to time.

 

[Fraggable]

aren't you supposed to use non-conductive or deionized wated for watercooling setups?

 

[eastvillager]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
aren't you supposed to use non-conductive or deionized wated for watercooling setups?

De-ionized water is still conductive, albeit a relatively poor conductor.

In my opinion, if the card started artifacting while it was wet, it is probably hosed for good. I've only experienced this once myself(doh doh doh), but that was the result.

Oh, a reference on the conductivity of water

"As we try to make pure water by gradually removing electrolytes, its conductivity gradually decreases. So, if all electrolytes are removed, will its conductivity become zero? No. Why? Because an infinitesimal part of the molecules of water--only about one in 500 million--is ionized as hydrogen ions () and hydroxide ions (). Theoretically, at this point, the conductivity becomes 0.0548 µS/cm at 25 °C."

http://www.jp.horiba.com/story_e/conductivity/conductivity_05.htm

 

[edmundoab]

i use battery water with the corsair coolant.

Thats about the best I can get thus far.
its not normal tap water

 

[Yreka]

I dunno, I have heard of quite a few people doing this, then having the card work again after drying for a couple days.

Luckily I have no hands-on experiance with this problem, hope I never do

 

[edmundoab]

Originally posted by: Yreka
I dunno, I have heard of quite a few people doing this, then having the card work again after drying for a couple days.

Luckily I have no hands-on experiance with this problem, hope I never do

Well true enough.
and so far so good, rested it for about say 5 days
and today tried on it, seems to work fine,
but I havent had time for gaming as yet. I guess I really have to thank my luck rather then buy another card that may cost me another US$ 300 and above

 

[ROJAS]

To expedite the drying time, use a hair dryer on medium setting and make passes over the video card.

Good Luck