Liquid/Water Cooling

[AnonymousJon]

Any expert / laojiao here able to spare advise for freshie doing custom loop? Also, is there anything I should specifically take note of when doing custom loop?

Just curious about Copper & Aluminium parts, is there really any huge difference in terms of cost & performance?
I notice lots of online resources say they cannot be mix in the same loop but is it completely impossible to mix both the metal in the same loop even with anti corrosive coolant is used?

 

[shadow84]

Few rules abt water cooling.

1. Never ever mix metals, even with whatever addictives u add in.

2. Loop route dun matter. Only thing that matters is res goes to pump immediately. Dun put anything in between such as rad, gpu, cpu.

 

[AnonymousJon]

Few rules abt water cooling.

1. Never ever mix metals, even with whatever addictives u add in.

2. Loop route dun matter. Only thing that matters is res goes to pump immediately. Dun put anything in between such as rad, gpu, cpu.

Thanks for the help shadow any advice for coolant such as where to get it ? I tried searching for coolant on LZD but then all from Korea and the price was very impressive.

 

[royfrosty]

Never ever mix copper and aluminium together. This will cost galvanic corosion. Hence most custom water cooling parts are made of brass, copper, nickel plated, POM, Glass, Silver and Acetal materials. Radiators that said to have aluminium fins are fine.

Loop order does not matter. Cause the water travels in the loop is fast, till the extent that the water inside will reach equilibrium. The only order that must be fixed is reservoir MUST be connected to a pump to feed in water. Else it will not work.

Invest in fittings, fittings are the one most of the time can cause a leak. Poor fittings usually cause fittings to be either loose or bad o-ring can tear easily.

Coolant, this is purely your choice. But try to avoid coolants such as Primochill Vue and Mayhems Aurora. This two coolants look nice. But to clean it is not easy. They do cause gunk in water blocks and eventually the temperatures will rise from time to time. These coolant caused a lot of issues to many users, do a quick search and you will know, including youtube. Generally you wanna try normal coloured coolant. Mayhems is much more fun to create colours. Such as white pastel coolant mixed with coloured dyes. They have plenty to choose. Do note that coloured coolant can cause your tubes and any translucent reservoir/acrylic parts/petg tubes/flexible tubes to be stain over a period of time. The only way to prevent this is if you use a lot of glass components. Like glass tubes, glass reservoir etc. If you intend to use only distilled water only, please buy some silver kill coil. This is best way to prevent your water from any fungus growth. However if you choose to buy Mayhems coolant, it is already included. Or rather other brands coolant, do check if there is biocide or silver coil added.

Radiator thickness does not matter much over length. So try to fit in the longest radiator size if possible. Thickness comes in (if permits) second. Meaning to say a 240mm no matter how thin or thick would not beat a 360mm thin or thick.

Never mix metrics and inches for tube sizes and fittings. So do not purposely convert inches to mm and find the fittings that has metric measurement. Vice versa.

Be ready to fork out a lot at start. But the next build or yearly maintenance needed every year, the cost will be reduced if you just intend to do nothing to the loop or do minor changes to the loop.

Lastly the brands recommended for per component needed....

Cpu blocks - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Alphacool, Heatkiller
Gpu blocks - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Bitspower, Heatkiller, Phanteks
Reservoir - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Bitspower, Hestkiller, Singularity computers, Alphacool
Radiators - Hardwarelabs, Alphacool, EKWB (PE/CE Edition), Magicool, XSPC
Pump - Any d5 brand, cause they are the same OEM
Tubes - Flex tubes wth plasticizer free cheap and great Mayhems flexible tubes, Petg tubes best used with the brand fittings.
Fittings - Bitspower, Monsoon, Barrow, Bykski, Alphacool
Coolant - Mayhems, Aquacomputer, EKWB, Heatkiller

 

[sglords]

First time wc recommend go ekwb. One stop shop for all and save hassle esp that pump/res combo.

Most important thing is layout planning + measurement before ordering any wc parts.

If have any doubt on parts selection, can list down here.

 

[AnonymousJon]

First time wc recommend go ekwb. One stop shop for all and save hassle esp that pump/res combo.

Most important thing is layout planning + measurement before ordering any wc parts.

If have any doubt on parts selection, can list down here.

I wanted to go ekwb but then I feel like it's slightly more towards paying the branding. I wanted to get the NeoChanger but then it mentioned about Aluminium in it's material so is it a no go against copper blocks ?

Never ever mix copper and aluminium together. This will cost galvanic corosion. Hence most custom water cooling parts are made of brass, copper, nickel plated, POM, Glass, Silver and Acetal materials. Radiators that said to have aluminium fins are fine.

Loop order does not matter. Cause the water travels in the loop is fast, till the extent that the water inside will reach equilibrium. The only order that must be fixed is reservoir MUST be connected to a pump to feed in water. Else it will not work.

Invest in fittings, fittings are the one most of the time can cause a leak. Poor fittings usually cause fittings to be either loose or bad o-ring can tear easily.

Coolant, this is purely your choice. But try to avoid coolants such as Primochill Vue and Mayhems Aurora. This two coolants look nice. But to clean it is not easy. They do cause gunk in water blocks and eventually the temperatures will rise from time to time. These coolant caused a lot of issues to many users, do a quick search and you will know, including youtube. Generally you wanna try normal coloured coolant. Mayhems is much more fun to create colours. Such as white pastel coolant mixed with coloured dyes. They have plenty to choose. Do note that coloured coolant can cause your tubes and any translucent reservoir/acrylic parts/petg tubes/flexible tubes to be stain over a period of time. The only way to prevent this is if you use a lot of glass components. Like glass tubes, glass reservoir etc. If you intend to use only distilled water only, please buy some silver kill coil. This is best way to prevent your water from any fungus growth. However if you choose to buy Mayhems coolant, it is already included. Or rather other brands coolant, do check if there is biocide or silver coil added.

Radiator thickness does not matter much over length. So try to fit in the longest radiator size if possible. Thickness comes in (if permits) second. Meaning to say a 240mm no matter how thin or thick would not beat a 360mm thin or thick.

Never mix metrics and inches for tube sizes and fittings. So do not purposely convert inches to mm and find the fittings that has metric measurement. Vice versa.

Be ready to fork out a lot at start. But the next build or yearly maintenance needed every year, the cost will be reduced if you just intend to do nothing to the loop or do minor changes to the loop.

Lastly the brands recommended for per component needed....

Cpu blocks - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Alphacool, Heatkiller
Gpu blocks - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Bitspower, Heatkiller, Phanteks
Reservoir - Aquacomputer, EKWB, Bitspower, Hestkiller, Singularity computers, Alphacool
Radiators - Hardwarelabs, Alphacool, EKWB (PE/CE Edition), Magicool, XSPC
Pump - Any d5 brand, cause they are the same OEM
Tubes - Flex tubes wth plasticizer free cheap and great Mayhems flexible tubes, Petg tubes best used with the brand fittings.
Fittings - Bitspower, Monsoon, Barrow, Bykski, Alphacool
Coolant - Mayhems, Aquacomputer, EKWB, Heatkiller

Wow, this is quality Really appreciate your help here! This is going to help me fix a lot of my questions. Anyway, you mentioned about Aluminium Radiator Fin which I bold above. Does it means its okay to run with copper water blocks but then cooling on Aluminium Fin?

 

[royfrosty]

I wanted to go ekwb but then I feel like it's slightly more towards paying the branding. I wanted to get the NeoChanger but then it mentioned about Aluminium in it's material so is it a no go against copper blocks ?


Wow, this is quality Really appreciate your help here! This is going to help me fix a lot of my questions. Anyway, you mentioned about Aluminium Radiator Fin which I bold above. Does it means its okay to run with copper water blocks but then cooling on Aluminium Fin?

Fins aluminium are fine. Cause they are outside. So technically they are not part of the loop.

The cores are mainly either brass or copper. The fins sre soldered outside the core. So if the radiators mentioned that fins are made of alu, they are still fine. Not unless they mentioned that core/chamber is made of alu, then only you must take extra caution.

 

[joshuaho]

AIO’s actually have their unique concoction inside the loop and it’s covered by warranty either way so nothing to really worry there,

Custom loops just plain out avoid aluminium if you want to be safe.

Also, take note about PETG tubing. Certain manufacturers indicate there is some minor silver present in the PETG tube, which raises the possibility of displacement to give a visible reaction, against the type of coolant used. Do read up a bit on this as it’s not common for people to actually check the type of tubing Most assume PETG is.. well PETG.. differences are subtle but could affect your loop if not careful.

=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•= HardwareZone Forums app

 

[AnonymousJon]

Fins aluminium are fine. Cause they are outside. So technically they are not part of the loop.

The cores are mainly either brass or copper. The fins sre soldered outside the core. So if the radiators mentioned that fins are made of alu, they are still fine. Not unless they mentioned that core/chamber is made of alu, then only you must take extra caution.

Thank you for the enlightenment !

AIO’s actually have their unique concoction inside the loop and it’s covered by warranty either way so nothing to really worry there,

Custom loops just plain out avoid aluminium if you want to be safe.

Also, take note about PETG tubing. Certain manufacturers indicate there is some minor silver present in the PETG tube, which raises the possibility of displacement to give a visible reaction, against the type of coolant used. Do read up a bit on this as it’s not common for people to actually check the type of tubing Most assume PETG is.. well PETG.. differences are subtle but could affect your loop if not careful.

=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•= HardwareZone Forums app

Guess I will read up on the PETG Tubing, havent seen any similar across before though

Anyone knows where can this be bought apart from taobao?

 

[zhen^wei]

Any expert / laojiao here able to spare advise for freshie doing custom loop? Also, is there anything I should specifically take note of when doing custom loop?

Just curious about Copper & Aluminium parts, is there really any huge difference in terms of cost & performance?
I notice lots of online resources say they cannot be mix in the same loop but is it completely impossible to mix both the metal in the same loop even with anti corrosive coolant is used?

u want to do custom loop? I can help u do

 

[AnonymousJon]

Another question, does the flow direction matter for waterblocks?
By direction I mean CPU blocks can mount two direction so does it matter if my water flow upwards or downwards ?

u want to do custom loop? I can help u do

Thanks for the offer but I prefer doing it myself because I feel that's the joy behind a custom built !

 

[royfrosty]

Another question, does the flow direction matter for waterblocks?
By direction I mean CPU blocks can mount two direction so does it matter if my water flow upwards or downwards ?



Thanks for the offer but I prefer doing it myself because I feel that's the joy behind a custom built !

Might wanna draw the loop and explain?

 

[5star_pundit]

Another question, does the flow direction matter for waterblocks?
By direction I mean CPU blocks can mount two direction so does it matter if my water flow upwards or downwards ?



Thanks for the offer but I prefer doing it myself because I feel that's the joy behind a custom built !

As a first timer , decide on which type of petg tube and the size of the fittings to get first

For fittings, the size of the thread is indicated in inches.
The thread is indicated with a G in front.
The most popular thread size is G1 / 4 ".


The three most popular fittings are:
1) 1/2 "(13mm inner diameter)
2) 3/8 "(10mm inner diameter)
3) 5/16 "(8mm inner diameter)


then consider Example:
If you order a 1/2 " ID tubing , then you will have to get a fittings with an inner diameter of 1/2" (13 millimeters).


https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/[gpgt]-play-water-kym-5727123-28.html

 

[sglords]

Might wanna draw the loop and explain?

I think he mean is there any specific orientation for waterblock inlet and outlet.

 

[shadow84]

Another question, does the flow direction matter for waterblocks?
By direction I mean CPU blocks can mount two direction so does it matter if my water flow upwards or downwards ?



Thanks for the offer but I prefer doing it myself because I feel that's the joy behind a custom built !

For gpu, i believe flow direction works both ways. For cpu, most brands have direction indicated for inlet and outlet. Best is to follow as their design might be specific in this direction.

Arrow pointing towards hole is inlet and arrow pointing away from hole is outlet.

For tubing, i would recommend to go for 3/8, 5/8. Reason is that it is more flexible than other dimensions. And DO NOT do a direct conversion from inches to mm (3/8' to 9.5mm) You will get leakages. If your tubing is 3/8 5/8, find a fitting for 3/8 5/8 instead of 9.5mm.

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[AnonymousJon]

Thanks all expert for the advice !
Here’s what I came out with —

Any recommendation on where to get coolants?

 

[royfrosty]

Thanks all expert for the advice !
Here’s what I came out with —

Any recommendation on where to get coolants?

Not bad for starters!

Ur current loop inside is water only? Or there is a mix of biocide/silver coil and water.

 

[sglords]

actually install one flow indicator will do

 

[AnonymousJon]

Not bad for starters!

Ur current loop inside is water only? Or there is a mix of biocide/silver coil and water.

Actually just Singapore tap water

actually install one flow indicator will do

Totally agree but I put it there for the looks & entertainment, I mean I hope I'm not the only one feeling satisfy looking at that **** turns

 

[royfrosty]

You are inviting algae growth very soon.

Drain out everything. Then make sure you get all the tap water out.

Go get yourself distilled water, silver coil or biocide. Then put it in.

Another way is to use proper coolant such as Mayhems Pastel coolant. Can be premixed or concentrate. Only use distilled water for concentrate. 250ml concentrate with 750ml distilled water.

If possible remove some of the flow indicator. Its too much. 1 will do. It will look a lot more cleaner than adding too much of it.

Most importantly get rid of the tap water asap before its too late.