Using aluminum radiators with copper waterblocks.

DavidVioMC

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Apr 25, 2016
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I have an Coolermaster Nepton 120XL which I expanded it with additional 240mm radiator and EK GPU full-cover waterblock after the AIO pump died. I got recently concerned when I was throwing out the 240mm rad box and I noticed it said it was aluminum, and I heard about corrosion in the past when mixed with copper. I did a bit of Googling but can't find the answers I'm looking for so here it goes;
1. The Coolermaster Nepton 120xl uses a aluminum radiator (thats what it says on their page) and copper CPU block, they're already mixing so will I make more damage by adding additional aluminum rad and additional GPU cooper block?
2. I'm running 75% anti-freeze and 25% distilled water water in my system, will it slow down the corrosion? Or should I be better off using a anti-corrosion additive?
3. How often should I switch out the luquid? And should I flush the system with distilled water aswell when switching out the luqid?
4. I heard that avoding the aluminum radiator contacting with the case can prevent the corrosion? If I use rubber screws for the rads, will it actually help?
Thanks for reading
 


You can kind of use the product warranty as an indicator. If the cooler has a long warranty.... say 6 years, AND they have both copper and aluminum in the coolant circuit, then they feel it has little effect as to how long the product will last. I'd wager though, that the pump will be the bigger problem on average.

For an open loop the general consensus is to perform maintenance every 6-12 months.