How common is it for watercooling to fail?

[lolzorz]

Ok so im considering upgrading to a corsair h100, or h100i. Ive seen many reviews saying that it will only work for a few months, but will work very well, but I never see reviews saying that it sprung a leak and killed your electronics. What are the chances that an all in one cpu cooler will actually rupture and ruin everything inside?

 

[germz1986]

I have built a couple computers with the aio liquid cooling systems. While not over impressed with the results compared to custom water cooling setups. I have yet to see one fail.

And as far as liquid spills go I would not be too concerned with the aio systems. They seem to be built fairly well.

A custom water setup will set you back considerably more, but will perform better, and you also have control over the fluid inside the loop. I have had 2 leaks in past computers with my water cooling, both times gotten the mainboard and gfx card wet. Set them out to dry 2 days, plugged everything back in and both those boards are still working 3 years later. I do run distilled water in my loop though.

 

[manofchalk]

Unless your in the habit of cutting the tubes yourself, I wouldn't be concerned about the thing leaking. You do get the occasional horror story (I remember one where the CPU block/pump just exploded) but that will happen with any product. A 1% failure rate on a million units will still leave you with 10,000 dead units, and they sell far more than a million of those things.

Custom water-cooling is something else entirely. The chance of a leak is inversely proportional to the time, effort and research you put into it.

 

[lolzorz]

So would the possible failure rate be worth the added cooling in your opinions? Im talking about water leaking, If the fan stops working I dont count that since I can just go replace the cooler.

 

[manofchalk]

Well, with CLC's there is no "added cooling". Typically they perform the same as equivalent air heatsinks. That H100i is about equivalent to an NH-D14.
Really, wouldnt worry about the thing failing.

 

[lolzorz]

Well, with CLC's there is no "added cooling". Typically they perform the same as equivalent air heatsinks. That H100i is about equivalent to an NH-D14.
Really, wouldnt worry about the thing failing.

Ok then if they perform the same I think ill stay with the good old air cooling.

 

[lolzorz]

Well, with CLC's there is no "added cooling". Typically they perform the same as equivalent air heatsinks. That H100i is about equivalent to an NH-D14.
Really, wouldnt worry about the thing failing.

Ok then if they perform the same I think ill stay with the good old air cooling.