Water Cooling Qs

[scaryjeff]

You may remeber I while ago I was trying to find out what HSF to get. I thought and thought, and never actually got a new one because If the CPU (a celeron 566) didn't overclock having got the new heatsink, then it would have meant that all I would have acheived would have been to make me poorer and to make my computer louder. So, when I came across water cooling the other day (without peltier) I thought great! because even if it still didnt overclock, I would have a slightly quieter case (as I would be able to remove case fans), and I would have gained significant 'cool factor'.
So, I have a few questions about water cooling that I was hoping one ofyou kind folk may be able to offer answers to (I aplogise for the list format which makes it look like a set of demands or something, I thought it was the easiest way to ask everything):
1) I have read that you should not use CPUidle or standby mode when using water cooling. I can understand why this would apply when using a peltier, but wasnt sure with just water.
2) I have seen pictures of waterblocks that have been destroyed by corrosion caused by electrolysis. Am I correct in thinking that if use partially purified water (I mean by boiling it up in a pan, with the steam collecting on a piece of glass then dripping into another container), this effect is greatly reduced? Are there better ways of stoping this corrosion?
3) I have seen many set ups with the pump in the bottom of the case, and was thinking that surely it would be better to have the pump in the top, so that then gravity is on its side, and so that the overall height of the system and therefore the work that must be done by the pump is reduced?
4) Does anyone know where I can get a radiator where the fins run at 90 dgrees to ones like this? The reason is that I am planning on having the radiator take up the top two drive bays on my case (I only have one CD drive anyway, so I dont need them), with a fan blowing into the drive bays, across the radiator, and out of a hole that I will make in the top of the case at the end of the radiator. (I made a little gif to try and illistrate what I am trying to describe), and none of the radiators that I have seen will allow this. Basically I need one like in the first link, only built so that a fan can go on the end, and with maximum dimensions 140mm wide by 90 high by 180 deep (i.e. so that it fits in two drive bays).
5) What guage tubing is best? I have seen several sizes used and wondered if there is a particualar size that is most suitable. Also what sort of CFM of air is required across the radiator, and what GPL pump for a system that isnt using a peltier, and has a small resaviour?

OK thankyou very much for your time, and please add any other advice that you may have, it is all much appreciated!

 

[Dazmite]

I have tried watercooling before, with and without peltiers.
UtMost important thing is to insulate to CPU. Moisture will form and collect, then drip where you don't want it.
For your questions.
1-I did not have a problem running CPUIdle with or without a peltier.
If you do use a Peltier and CPUIdle when the CPUs not being used it could frost up then melt, and we don't want to talk about what will happen.
2-If you use distilled water your chances are better, I used a mixture of antifreeze that helps prevent corrosion. It helped some, but the mixture turned bad after a couple weeks. I guess being open to the air, as in a car its an enclosed system.
3-The pumps are mostly designed to push water, I don't think they perform very well pulling water. There have been people who tested without a pump and used convection to circulate the water. I don't remember if this worked well or not.
4-Nope sorry can't help you there.
I had my system with a remote water tank. It was installed in a small dorm fridge. This didnt work well as once the PC was running the water would get warmed faster than the tank could get cooled. And it wasnt all that hard to setup especially when you don't insulate anything. It was a bit harder to find the cash to replace the CPU and MotherBoard. water condensed, formed behind the CPU, dripped onto the MB and shorted out the keyboard circuit. Then fried the CPU.
So if you try this route INSULATE
Daz

 

[jg45]

Here is what I know about water cooling and your questions:
1. These types of programs would not be a problem if you are not running a peltier or chilling your water in any way because the water will be at or slightly warmer than ambient and therefore condensation is not a concern.
2. I don't know about using purified water, but alot of people use Red Line Water Wetter or something similar. It will prevent corrosion and not have an adverse effect on heat transfer.
3. I would agree with you there, if you have the reservoir at the top of the case also. The pump won't be pulling any harder than normal and you will reduce the head that the pump has to push since two columns of liquid that are connected at the bottom will level at the same height the water would push itself back to the height of the reservoir.
4. I can't help there
5. I wouldn't use anything thing smaller than 3/8" ID. I personally am using clear silicone tubing from Home Depot. The CFM will depend on the area of the radiator and the amount of heat produced. The real trick is getting the air to move across the entire surface area of the radiator. By strapping a fan straight to the radiator there will be a dead spot where the hub of the fan is. I am using a 184GPH pump. Too much flow will reduce cooling because the water won't stay in the block long enough to absorb the heat. You will have to base the flow of the pump on the height that you have to push the column of water too. Most pumps are rated at either 0 head or 1' of head. Pay attention to this. Most water cooled systems have a pump that pushes between 180 GPH and 300 GPH at 0 head but when you look at the set up they are having to push the water up 18" and the flow at that heght is 50GPh to 100 GPH. So take that into consideration if you are putting the reservoir and pump above the processor.
Hope this helps.

 

[scaryjeff]

Thanks for the help...looks like the hardest part is going to be finding a suitable radiator .