Watercooling question

[RU482]

what kind of tubing are people using to transport the coolant between the CPU block and the radiator? Would this type of tubing degrade if you used automotive coolant (antifreeze)? What type of liquid coolant works best?

thanks

 

[Elcs]

Although I dont watercool, I did look at it in quite a bit of depth but some things I didnt look at so much.

Tygon tubing seems to be the best out there. Water Wetter (Redline) seems to be the peoples choice or the most widespread used Coolant/Algae Control product. In the right concentration, it seems to improve the heat properties of water slightly and reduces temps by a degree or 2.

 

[drewdogg808]

i agree with tygon being one of the best, but a great, cheaper alternative is clearflex-60. i don't think antifreeze would degrade the tubing...but the best liquid would be a mixture of distilled water and water wetter.

 

[RU482]

I have a non-PC cooling project that I need to get some parts for. Where can I get Tygon tubing and water wetter? The cheaper the better, as I am going to need lots of it. Also, what type of cooling radiator is normally used? I've heard of people using automotive heater cores...is there a cheap source??

 

[Elcs]

Just a reminder that Im going off what I have learned about Watercooling in preparation for my own Watercooling system.

I believe heater cores are cheap and very effective to use. Since they are designed to handle some heat output of cars, they do quite a good job with cooling the water in a PC situation. There are a few intricacies with heater cores that you might want to check out first.

They come in various shapes and sizes, a compact radiator may fit in your pocket but need a high cfm fan to keep the water performing to a high standard (example. Black Ice Extreme Radiator). A large heater core may be able to sit 2 80mm fans or 2 120mm fans on each side. This would allow slower fans to be attached to cool down the water. Same principle as air cooling in a way.

You must also consider the barb size. If your pump has 3/4" barbs, your Waterblock has 1/2" barbs and the heater core has 1/4", then you are limited in water flow throughout the whole system. Keeping barb sizes the same isnt essential as long as the deviation is small but it would be better if they were all the same size.

The last point I can think of is the fact that you have to clean the heater core. After years working in a car, it can get quite dirty so be prepared to use some elbow greae to get it nice and clean.

Since Im not in America, I cant point you towards Tygon or Waterwetter unless DangerDen sell them.

 

[LatexRat]

i run a mixture of 50% Anti-Freeze and 50% Distilled water.. And about a tablespoon of water wetter
This was recommended by Aquastealth team to me, and its working very well. I also use their clear tubing, and Its not eating away at it .
The first fill i did of my system I used pure tap water .. In the warm environment of my pc, the water turned milky in 3 months I had to replace all my tubes, and the seals on my pump were eaten away..
Also .. The antifreeze I found in the store was already a percentage of distilled water, so I factored that in, and added more distilled water to reach 50/50.. Just read the antifreeze label. I have been running this new water for over a year, and the water is still as clean as when it went in!

http://becooling.safeshopper.com/28/cat28.htm?632

Thats where I originally bought the tubing, and i'm pretty sure I use the Masterkleer.. Works fine .. They have the thicker Tygon, and that is another option .. Both will be fine

 

[rms]

Do *not* use antifreeze in a pc cooling system! The *only* purpose of antifreeze is to keep water from boiling or freezing, it does nothing else positive, in fact I believe it actually decreases the thermal properties of water.

What you want is Water Wetter, which also includes anti-corrosion and anti-bacterial agents. The water you use should be de-ionized double or triple-distilled water; de-ionized to decrease the reaction between dissimilar metals that people often put in watercooled systems. I also put in like 1 or 2 drops of chlorine bleach in mine to make sure to kill algae.

rms
rsquires@flash.net

 

[LatexRat]

I'd recommend ya read this
http://www.overclockers.com/articles609/
Should help ya figure out which solution to go with