Watercooling.

[MaSonZ]

Scrounged parts for a buddy and am assembling a computer for him. nothing amazing, but much better then a laptop. As repayment he offered to buy me something for my rig, cool....except any components I want, and I Say it loosely as I dont really have a use for them other then bragging rights, and are rather expensive. Got thinking, I wanna cool my machine with liquids. alright, I'm in a debate over a setup, one of these two:

http://www.xoxide.com/swiftech-apex-ultima-kit.html

or:

http://www.xoxide.com/swiftech-apex-ultima-plus.html

but my question isnt what setup, its what coolant is recommended? They only give a small little bottle with the set up, and after I run it all for a check run and get the air out of the line that little bottle is gonna have enough to fill the system when I put in the machine. Thoughts?

[guncrasher]

talk to lawntard.  he's the expert in water cooling.


semp

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Scrounged parts for a buddy and am assembling a computer for him. nothing amazing, but much better then a laptop. As repayment he offered to buy me something for my rig, cool....except any components I want, and I Say it loosely as I dont really have a use for them other then bragging rights, and are rather expensive. Got thinking, I wanna cool my machine with liquids. alright, I'm in a debate over a setup, one of these two:

http://www.xoxide.com/swiftech-apex-ultima-kit.html

or:

http://www.xoxide.com/swiftech-apex-ultima-plus.html

but my question isnt what setup, its what coolant is recommended? They only give a small little bottle with the set up, and after I run it all for a check run and get the air out of the line that little bottle is gonna have enough to fill the system when I put in the machine. Thoughts?

If there's only a little bottle you mix it with water. Read the instructions. Even if it's not concentrate, you can reuse all your liquid do not throw it away after testing.

[ebfd11]

Mason I would use whatever setup you want, but one thing dont use the small bottle of dye aka coolant additive. It may look pretty but it also forms residue in your system. I would recommend strait undiluted distilled water. I used distilled water in my system and have had no problems what so ever.

Lawndart

[MaSonZ]

Lawn, thank you. I may use the dye just to test for leaks, then do a thorough flushing to remove as much as possible.

[guncrasher]

Lawn, thank you. I may use the dye just to test for leaks, then do a thorough flushing to remove as much as possible.

I think the shorting of the mobo will tell you if there's any leaks faster than you can see the dye .


semp

[MaSonZ]

I think the shorting of the mobo will tell you if there's any leaks faster than you can see the dye .


semp

I'll leak test outside of the case with nothing hooked up but the plumbing, then move it all into my case and scrutinize it very very closely (Dry rag, run it at the joints, as well as my hand). rather not lose a i7, Gaming board, 6870, my supply, and my ram. a lot of money to lose.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Mason I would use whatever setup you want, but one thing dont use the small bottle of dye aka coolant additive. It may look pretty but it also forms residue in your system. I would recommend strait undiluted distilled water. I used distilled water in my system and have had no problems what so ever.

Lawndart

Uh, the additive usually contains anti-algae chemicals that stop algae forming in your system as well as reduce the surface tension of the water which enables it to transfer heat more efficiently hence the name 'water wetter'.

[Masherbrum]

Uh, the additive usually contains anti-algae chemicals that stop algae forming in your system as well as reduce the surface tension of the water which enables it to transfer heat more efficiently hence the name 'water wetter'.

Yep.     It also inhibits corrosion IIRC as well.   

[ebfd11]

Of you do use the additive it is reccomended by the manufacturer to flush the system every 3-6 months to deter build up

I have taken my setup apart after 6 months of use and I had no build up on any parts whatsoever. Overclockers website has an excellent section on Watercooling that I used as a reference
to do my build.

Lawndart

[morfiend]

I'll leak test outside of the case with nothing hooked up but the plumbing, then move it all into my case and scrutinize it very very closely (Dry rag, run it at the joints, as well as my hand). rather not lose a i7, Gaming board, 6870, my supply, and my ram. a lot of money to lose.

  To check for leaks use some toiletpaper!  the stuff basically disolves in water and the slightest leak will show up and be easy to see.   Old plumbers trick taught to me by an old plumber......    I income used to depend on not having leaks and the TP never let me down!



   

[MrRiplEy[H]]

  To check for leaks use some toiletpaper!  the stuff basically disolves in water and the slightest leak will show up and be easy to see.   Old plumbers trick taught to me by an old plumber......    I income used to depend on not having leaks and the TP never let me down!



   

Another good trick is to use a UV reactive additive, any leak will light up under black light like a lamp. Plus it makes your clear tubes look cool if you leave the UV light on.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Yep.     It also inhibits corrosion IIRC as well.    

Yep. I have a glycole based UV reactive additive in my box. Works as antifreeze, anticorrosive, anti-algae and water wetter + leak detector. Only downside is that glycole is toxic but hey - if you plan to drink from your watercooling setup you have larger issues.

I mean, you could route a beer keg through the tubes but then you'd get to drink lukewarm beer all the time. Not smart.

[VonMessa]

Yep. I have a glycole based UV reactive additive in my box. Works as antifreeze, anticorrosive, anti-algae and water wetter + leak detector. Only downside is that glycole is toxic but hey - if you plan to drink from your watercooling setup you have larger issues.

I mean, you could route a beer keg through the tubes but then you'd get to drink lukewarm beer all the time. Not smart.

I have always found that watercooling works well.  For extracting essential oils and distilling water, of course...

[MaSonZ]

  To check for leaks use some toiletpaper!  the stuff basically disolves in water and the slightest leak will show up and be easy to see.   Old plumbers trick taught to me by an old plumber......    I income used to depend on not having leaks and the TP never let me down!



   

didnt think of TP. good thought.


I'll check over clockers.net when I get closer to pulling the trigger on the setup.