• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

portable watercooling

J

jkresh

Platinum Member
About to go 939, will be overclocking, was thinking of going with an xp-120, but now I am seriously considering water. My problem is, I live in NY, go to School in Boston and move the machine back and forth a couple of times a year, are there any water cooling systems that could handle trips like that without being completely emptied and refilled? I know tomshardware had a prototype for Prescott that was completely self contained (you couldn?t empty it if you wanted to) so something like that could work. Any suggestions, or should I just stick with air until I can keep the machine in one place for long periods of time?
 
someone makes a unit that sits on top of your case and i think is self-contained. not sure if that would fit what you want. lemme see if i can find a link.
 
I beleive the external units from koolance,coolermaster,corsair all require water to be added, and as such have openings, which means they need to be emptied before being moved. I guess the kit i am looking for would have to have a liquid that wasnt water (as if it cant ever be changed then something which nothing can possibly grow in is necessary), not sure if it exists yet, but would be nice. Probably something like what's in voodoo's water cooled systems.
 
Huh? Besides a reserator, I don't know of any watercooling setup that must be bled before moving... I don't see the reason. The water stays in the tubes. The loop stays inside the case and/or is mounted to the case securely. Everything should be good to go for moving day. My watercooling system can be a pick up and go LAN machine if I had people to LAN with.

The only real problem is the weight. The solid metal waterblocks, radiator, pump, and water will add some significant weight to your system. But if the case is sturdy enough, it's all good.

It's not like as soon as the system feels itself raised up it will think "OMGWTFBEEFCHICKEN" and spontaneously burst 🙂
 
I was under the impression that with most watercooling kits it was recomended that they be emptied before any kind of long travel (5-5.5 hours in the car in my case) as there was a chance (even if it is relatively small) that something could loosten during travel and a leak could spring. Is that still true or are newer sytems built to handle bounces and bumps without springing leaks?
 
I don't know about kits, but I can safely say that I can chuck my DIY watercooling against a wall and it probably wouldn't disconnect itself. The radiator might be dented bad, the case no longer rectangular, the hard drives no longer functional, but there wouldn't be any leaks. Except maybe the dented radiator.

This is of course if something catastrophic happens. Like if you crash your car. Or if you're stupid and don't tighten all the hose clamps.
 
yea i agree with iamtrout... no point to empty the loop out just a waste of time just make sure you tighten everything down good and you should be fine. koolance would be a good idea but i believe the loop is only 1/4" which is kinda weak unless your not looking for some heavy duty cooling
 
Nice to know that watercooling wont be a problem for moving, however, I will be keeping my current case for this upgrade and it isint particularly suited to water cooling, (only has 80mm fans so a good radiator inside the case is an issue and no real place for the pump), in the summer when I do a complete upgrade I will get a case that is better suited (coolermaster stacker seems to be a good option) and go with water.
 
well... best bet IMO is to figure out how you can mount a pump... and as for the radiator you can mount that maybe on the back of the case or the top... create a box or something to over it with just the holes for the fan/fans.. and the res you can get a bayres either 3.5" or 5.25". BTW what kind of case do you have maybe soemone has a good idea as to how you can go about doing the setup on it
 
current case is http://store.yahoo.com/directron/201b.html
outside of removing the hard drive cage and mounting hard drives in 5.25 bays or in the other interal 3.5 bays I cant think of a place for the pump. Also as it will be moving and be in a relatively packed car having the radiator outside of the case would be problematic (any tubing coming out of the case could get damaged in transit and cause leaks. As I will be switching cases in 9-10 months, and going with one where I could mount 120mm radiators or multiple 120mm radiators I think waiting makes sense, unless I go with 80mm radiators for now and switch to 120 then.
 
yea i have a chenming also but the full tower... great case huge tons of space and nice for a watercooling setup... might be a bit to big to travel with but bigger is better in my book heh

PS: iamtrout nice case man... whats your loop consist of? pm me with some specs =)
 
Dunno if anyone already mentioned this but the Koolance Exos utilizes quick connect fittings that will allow you to easily disconnect the hoses between the unit and the PC without having to drain the reseviour. Also, as mentioned above it does use the 1/4" tubing, which many serious overclockers consider to be a bit on the small side though the unit does a surprisingly good job at cooling in spite of this.
 
yea 1/4" does hurt but like you said ive heard great things about it so if your not looking to overclock seriously then you should be fine... and the quick disco's are pretty cool also :laugh: good luck on your choice and dont spare any money on it.. no point to buy something then want to upgrade... just go all out and you will be set for a while. well IMO thats what i do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top