Water Cooling

[njolakoski]

Is water cooling hard to install?

[FrankieF21]

not if you know what you are doing. Ask as many questions in here before you do stuff in your computer the first time.

[beppodmime]

Sometimes. That depends on how much research you do on the subject, like Frankie said. Making sure you buy a good kit and put it into a case that can accomadate it, and it's not too bad. Buying cheap kits could bring no end of hassle for the installer. If you end up going with an external kit like the Exos or the Hydrocool, then installation is a no brainer for someone with basic tool skills, and experience installing Heatsinks/Fans.

Cheap kits aren't worth the money they even charge for them. There are more expensive kits on the market that are worth the money for people who need that sort of cooling. Having places like Dangerden a click away is kinda nifty. But these kits may require case modification to install, so that can make things a bit more painful for the inexperienced. It's not impossible, but lets just say my next blowhole will come out MILES better than this one.

External kit: Easy
Internal kit: Easy-difficult depending on case and kit choice.
Cheapo kit: May as well be using an air cooler.

[Sweeper]

if it leaks... "poof" bye bye system. My .02 worth.

[pinipig523]

lets see - i would like to consider myself a pretty experienced water cooler afficionado.. and yes - it does take some time. is it hard? depends on what u mean by "hard"?

do u mean is it mentally difficult to understand? NO.

do u mean is it physically annoying and a pain when modding the PC, dremelling holes for the radiator and the reservoir? YES.

watercooling is awesome if u are after lower temps and less noise. if your aim is overclocking - watercooling will keep your system running cool and quiet.

IF your aim is EXTREME overclocking like 4ghz p4 with a 3.2 or an AMD 2.8ghz with a 2.2ghz (3200+).... then watercooling will not be sufficient.. go with vapor cooling like PROMETIA.

like beppodmime said earlier:

external kit = easy
cheapo kit = novelty only, no use
internal kit = tricky and certainly a pain in the butt - even for me... but it is definitely doable... VERY doable.... takes hours and hours if u want to do it right.

it takes me about 12 hours to install an internal kit (with modding and dremeling) from scratch on a new or existing pc plus an additional 24-48 hours to leak test it.

consider a third of a week devoted to watercooling.. it is a challenge... problems always arise... but like anything that is worth something, it is definitely worth doing.

[pinipig523]

Originally posted by Sweeper
if it leaks... "poof" bye bye system. My .02 worth.

unless the installer is a nOOb - the system should not leak. this is why u need to leak test the system without any components for 2 days... leaks should show up here. the main issue are only the moving parts... the PUMP.

if the pump goes out = it is OVER.

but then again, the same thing can be said about air cooling, if the FAN goes, then it is also OVER.

njo,

if u are willing to put the effort and experience the positives of watercooling, do it. dont be swayed by remarks about leaks... it wont unless u dont install it correctly from the start.

i have made 4 watercooled computers.. NONE leak.

[douglas55]

All I have to say is take you time and make sure it's done right. Leak test it for at least 24 hours.

[pinipig523]

exactly.

[LeftCoast]

I saw some cool WC mods that were DIY. I believe a Chevy Citation heater core was involved, and also an external plexiglass
reservoir. You can DIY your own cpu waterblock, but I hope you paid attention in metal shop!

I also remember the brand name Innovatek (I think) that had some good reviews. I looked into this a year ago, but chickened out.

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/revie...wc/index.shtml