zach said:
Hey everyone!!
I'm new to the whole liquid cooling of the computer case and
everything, and was just wondering if someone could answer some
questions?
1. Is there certain cases for watercooling, or are most compatible for
watercooling (I have a Full ATX tower, so room isnt a problem..)
2. Can you buy a kit, that will cool CPU, Video card chipset, or
possible everythindg including HDD??
3.Are they really safe?? do your run the risk of something happening
and frying everything??
4. And will it really take out the need for most fans in your case??
Will you still need a fan to cool the HDD, and your chipset etc??
Thanks for any answers you might have
There is a water cooling forum here.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=70
There are a few sticky posts, to help first time builders.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54331
Some components in your computer, have built-in safety systems.
The processor, for example, has THERMTRIP. If the hose fell off
your CPU water block, the computer would shut off before the
CPU was damaged.
Other components may not have protection, or you may not be
able to get detailed information about them, before you build.
For example, I don't know if a GPU possesses enough features,
to turn off the GPU regulators on the video card, if the GPU
is overheating. You would not want to fry an expensive video
card, due to a hose falling off, or a leak draining all the
fluid from the loop.
If I was doing it, I'd want an external radiator, to leave more
room in the computer case, and more room for some air circulation
for components not having water blocks. You should still have at least
one fan in the case, to help provide a flow of air for the hard
drive, for example. If you are overclocking, then you may want
a fan pointed at the MOSFETS, coils, and Vcore circuit. Or, you
may want to position a fan over top of the four sticks of RAM.
Whether that is necessary, depends on what you're overclocking
and by how much. If you aren't overclocking, I'd still want
an exhaust fan on the back of the computer case. If you
eliminate all fans, then heat will build up inside the case,
to a level sufficient to overheat the hard drive.
If you have bushels of money to spend, there are other techniques
for cooling. For example, for >$1000 or so, you can get a Zalman
case that uses heatpipe coolers. But there is no question, that
you can handle more heat with a water system - it is just a
matter of enough flow, and a big enough radiator, and some cool
air somewhere to cool the radiator.
TNN500AF - heatpipes conduct heat into the computer case walls and fins
The capacity of the included power supply, helps limit how much hardware
gets put in the box.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/zalman-tnn500af_3.html
Paul
