CPU-only liquid cooling - disadvantages?

[Axonn]

Take the following words:

"And clearly, power users who simply want the best low-maintenance solution will take the closed-loop liquid route."

(I was reminded that, usually, all liquid cooling solutions are "closed loop", so let's just ignore that and stick to what the reviewer was probably trying to say)

It kind of seems to me that the reviewer implies that CPU-only liquid liquid has some disadvantages. What are they? Other than not being able to add a GPU/PSU cooling solution later on (which I don't want to).

I think closed liquid loop is fantastic because it never develops bacteria or algae in there and can never leak.

 

[Ancalagon44]

As someone else pointed out to me when I posted a thread about them, all liquid cooling except the kind where you fill your case up with mineral oil, is in fact closed loop. Open loop would imply that you get fresh coolant from a source and discard it after use, which nobody does. Well only after long periods of time I imagine.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

...and can never leak.

haha i doubt that

 

[Axonn]

Ancalagon44: Yeah, you're right, but I doubt that's what the reviewer wanted to say. I mean, duh, of course the other solutions are closed loop ::- D. But you can open the loop to add more stuff, whereas the CPU-only solutions are rigid. I think that's what the reviewer wanted to say. Anyway, I edited my post.

The Boston Dangler: I hope you're wrong ::- D.

 

[dawp]

bong coolers were somewhat common several years ago for their ability to get below ambient and those are not closed loops.

 

[Axonn]

So, anybody got some answers?

 

[dawp]

no real disadvantages that I can think of. main advantage is lower starting cost compared to an all inclusive setup and can be easily expanded as needed/wanted.

 

[aigomorla]

bong coolers were somewhat common several years ago for their ability to get below ambient and those are not closed loops.

actually that is still a closed loop. :whiste:

An open loop is as described.. new water always enters the system, and is never recycled.
IE.. you tie your blocks to your water line.. and let it run forever...


What your asking is what is the advantages and disadvantages to a presealed vs a complete custom.
And there are actually a LOT.

A presealed system will not use a great pump, unless u get one priced near a custom system which uses the pumps we use.
A presealed system is a set and forget solution... typically the tubing is non pourous and you wont get evap, while a custom uses tubing which is naturally pourus and can evap out.
A presealed system is not calculated with math, they do a bulk lets throw this and that and if it works and budget meets practice we'll sell it methodology... you can see my many posts on the corsair H#O and how it evolved to exactly what ive been telling the guys at corsair... (not taking the credit for it, but i was one of the people who were shouting to them, and you can ask red beard to verify if you want... )

A Presealed system will cost significantly less, for the marginal benifit in performance u get over an air sink... not the same with a well planed and well designed custom loop.

I think closed liquid loop is fantastic because it never develops bacteria or algae in there and can never leak.

no.. and no again... depends on what is inside your coolant and what is your anti microb... but algae vs cockaroach in which is more resilient... id put money on algae...

But guys like me brought silver back into our hobby... and silver has done well in custom loops time and time over again.
Something u will never see in a presealed because silver is just too expensive to use over nuking the coolant with ethyl glycol which can present its own problems to itself.
(IE.. ethyl glycol is EXTREMELY TOXIC)

and op nothing is leakproof unless it has no liquid inside it.. and i mean NOTHING.

 

[SolMiester]

Just put a H80 in a Raven and have to say Im impressed with the results...

 

[dawp]

actually that is still a closed loop. :whiste:

An open loop is as described.. new water always enters the system, and is never recycled.
IE.. you tie your blocks to your water line.. and let it run forever...

I guess my definition of an open loop is a bit looser than yours is since you do have to add water periodically to replace that which has evaporated. In my view, a closed loop you never add water except when it is changed or when maintenance is done.

 

[aigomorla]

I guess my definition of an open loop is a bit looser than yours is since you do have to add water periodically to replace that which has evaporated. In my view, a closed loop you never add water except when it is changed or when maintenance is done.

that is impossible..

even custom setups as i said the tubing is pourous.. and u need to periodically top off.

Unless ur using plastic tubings.. but those itself carries problem with flexing, and cracking over time.

Also ive seen more then enough shares of the corsair units leaking.. and ive seen corsair even replace serveral complete setups.

Nothing is leakproof.. if it has water in it, it can leak and that is final.


Open loop in its definition means its an open system... not recycling... the water never goes back to A again...
In a Bong... the water evaps.. but u still get a % of the original water going back to A.

 

[Axonn]

aigomorla: LOL @ signature.

Thank you for your posts. You made me understand a lot. Namely that I will probably not bother with a Corsair, but doing it the hard way (custom) is even more risky. So I'll probably buy a better air cooler ::- ).

Oh, and yes, you're right, THEORETICALLY, if it has water, it CAN leak. It doesn't mean that it will though.

 

[aigomorla]

aigomorla: LOL @ signature.

on XS im a wanabe deity... :biggrin:

well they do call me the ziptie deity over there tho, as i can probably assemble an entire PC with pure zipties if needed.