How to drain and refill an H50 cooler?

[mclovits]

I have a Corsair H50 water cooler on my rig and I want to refill the water, replace thermal paste, clean radiator, all that maintenance stuff. I just don't know how to drain and refill the cooler, I have it out of my system and I have distilled water. What should I do, should I even drain it? I'm not sure how long the water has been in there because I bought this pc secondhand.

 

[mcnumpty23]

its a pre-sealed cooler

you are not meant to drain and re-fill them

though it is technically possible to do it i wouldnt recommend doing so

 

[mclovits]

I see, ya I saw someone who might have mentioned that. Just wasn't sure if I should continue using it without refilling it. I appreciate the quick response.

 

[mcnumpty23]

unless you think it has leaked it should be fine

have a look here to see it can be done--but you could also ruin it

http://www.overclock.net/t/647943/guide-h50-replace-tubes-and-res-mod

 

[mclovits]

Quick qeustion, I got the new paste on and i think it should work, but which way whold I have the fan go on the radiator? should I pull air through or push is out. in other words, which way should the air go through the radiator and what side of the radiator should the fan be placed?

 

[mcnumpty23]

personally i pull cooler air from outside the case inwards--as long as you have a top exhaust fan-- to me thats the best way

that way fan on back of case then radiator on fan

if you dont have a top exhaust fan then do it the other way round

 

[popatim]

So you take the heat from the cpu and pump it right back into the case?? Why spend the money on liquid cooling then?

Always have it so hot air is blow out or away from the case. Cold air blows in.

 

[mclovits]

Tried both and was most successful pulling cool air in. I have a large top exhaust which I turned up the speed on. Now I'm getting about 4 degrees less at idle in a hotter room compared to last night and the AC5 hasn't even been through 4 hours of its "set time." Hopefully I'll get a bit lower before I go for a higher overclock. Thanks guys