Three High-End Liquid-Cooling Cases Compared

[epson]

im not sure if oxidation would be a problem anyways, as the only place it will oxidize is parts open to oxygen! the block is going to be pasted and slapped airtight to cores. and as for water inside the block, well all you have to do is use a liquid that doesn't contain oxygen

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]epson[/nom] as for water inside the block, well all you have to do is use a liquid that doesn't contain oxygen[/citation]

Yes, that's part of the problem: Water makes a great conduit for electrolytic reaction between different metals.

 

[epson]

oils heat up quick and don't conduct electricy. tho im not sure about corrosion with using it. ive seen a entire computer submerged in oil before running just fine lol for the short term anyway

 

[Crashman]

Water has a lower surface tension, viscosity, and thermal resistance, all of which make it an almost ideal liquid coolant.

 

[JonnyDough]

Most all-in-one water cooling solutions need four things. Slower, quieter fans, better radiators (the paint sometimes hinders heat dissipation), and stronger pumps. Particularly the last two things mentioned. Pay attention Thermalright, Koolance, etc! This is for YOU!

 

[JonnyDough]

I went away from my comp for a bit and came back and hit submit. Oops. The fourth item was supposed to be "WIDER TUBING". 1/2" ftw.

 

[JonnyDough]

Liquid cooling is not that difficult to figure out (It's called research, you do it in college. Try it!), and doesn't pose much threat to modern processors. If the processor overheats, it shuts the system off. I forgot to plug in the pump on my setup once and couldn't figure out what was wrong for awhile. After thinking it was my video card, realized I was a dolt and fired my system up after plugging it in. My processor still works fine.

Liquid cooling solution (and distilled water with dye/additives) are not very electrically conductive. Spilling some on your motherboard isn't likely to kill it. Furthermore, anyone who's spending money to cool their components probably wants a nice gaming rig on the cheap. With cheap components, if you do fry it at least it isn't quite so huge a loss.

Water cooling setups are reusable and if you know how to OC is a pretty worthwhile investment. The best way to begin is not to buy a kit, but piece one together or ask around on forums for help. Kits are somewhat limited. I won a $300 Danger Den 4200 in a gaming tourney once, and the thing doesn't do that great. The pump is a bit weak, and the radiator is the size of a 120mm fan. For really good cooling its more ideal to have a bigger radiator and big pumps. Wider tubing really is better because it's less friction between molecules of water and the hose, therefore less impurities in the water to wear out your components or cause clogs. Secondly, a wider hose will allow air bubbles to clear up through your T line faster. If they zip past the opening too fast they don't have a chance to rise.

Pumps and tubing are fairly cheap, it is the copper blocks and a clogged radiator replacement that tend to cost a bit. Upgrade to a new socket = replace the water block, unless an old one will fit the new socket. You can buy somewhat adjustable universal blocks too, but they don't always fit either.

 

[MU_Engineer]

[citation][nom]DXRick[/nom]Can these cases cool one HD 4870 and the Northbridge without an additional pump and/or radiator? Why would an enthusiast just want to water cool the CPU?[/citation]

I don't know. The real advantage for water cooling these days is in cooling very hot components in tight places, which means multi-GPU setups and servers. The cases ought to be able to cool two 4870s and a 3.80 GHz Core 2 Quad without too much trouble if they don't mind a bit of noise, but I'd go with a three-fan radiator or heater core if I wanted to water-cool everything in that machine and do it quietly.