Give me a brief summary on liquid cooling, and how it works.
21 replies, posted
Hi, I work with a guy who's considering spending 4000 dollars on an Alienware computer, and I've been trying to convince him to custom build instead, because the ad for it is worded in super cool font and used words like [B] SUPER COOL, ULTRA QUIET, SUPER SAIYAN 10 FAST[/B]
When I suggested building a computer he said "Dude, this system has LIQUID COOLING in it."
As I slowly lifted my palm over my face to give a strong exhale, I realized something. I have never seen or read into liquid cooling into a PC. I did a quick search on Newegg to look at a few prices so that maybe I can convince him that it still isn't worth it. I searched it and found a few cooling systems up in the 50-80$ price range, which is leading me to think that he has no idea at all about computers. I hardly know anything about them myself, but I like to think that I'm past novice level.
I don't have a link to the PC he has, nor do I care to hear how stupid/smart he is, I'm just wondering [b]how[/b] liquid cooling works, and [b]why[/b] people choose it over compound and fans.
However, I do recall that his computer will have 2 4870's, and a 3D monitor. Personally, I think 3D will make a lot of games really stupid, and it's too new to want to empty a bank account over. I was pretty upset because he's a cool guy, it seems like he's not really sure what kind of bang he's getting for his buck, and that he couldn't build one on his own, which is why he bragged about liquid cooling to me. I wouldn't mock him if he didn't know how to put one together or anything, I just don't want him to get ripped off.
So yeah, that whole book I wrote above is me asking how liquid cooling works, a brief history on it, and if it is really necessary in computers today, maybe even what brands are good for it.
All alienwares liquid cooling is a dumbed down corsair h50 thats all, trust me I had to swap my brothers out.
ujjj
I don't want one, I'm just asking for a history lesson, comparisons of brands, basic knowledge of how it functions. You know, the works.
Only tidbit of history on the subject I know is the PowerMac G5 dual 2.5Ghz was one of the first major computers to come with liquid cooling stock.
Wheres Milky?!
[QUOTE=ClaBrendon;25498650]Wheres Milky?![/QUOTE]
Milky is talented, but he isn't the super god of PCs and he isn't the only person who understands liquid cooling.
liquid cooling is only worth the price if you overclock and leave your computer overclocked. and not a little 1 GHz OC either, I'm talking 1.5 GHz+
I thought Liquid Cooling works like a refrigerator?
Water circulates around the tubes, once it reach the CPU the cool water cools it down and the water heats up. So the water goes back to the radiator and cools down again.
Am I right guys?
Ok, given that the lot of you seem uneducated about this, here we goo
Liquid cooling works like this, air transfers heat far worse than liquid, therefore to have liquid carry heat away from components would be great. The main components in a liquid cooling loop are blocks which touch the components, their job is to transfer heat to the liquid. The second thing is tubing, which i assume you know what that does. The third is a pump which well, pumps the water, reservoir feeds the pump. The radiators, the rads have air flowing between cooling fins through which the water runs through and takes heat away. Uhh, whats left, yeah, coolant, coolant is what conducts the heat.
Brand Recomendation.
Blocks:
Ek pretty much makes the best, or most recommended blocks bar none.
Radiators
Uhh good mid range ones are made by Swiftech, high end ones are thermochill or Hardware Labs
Pumps
Swiftech MCP355 or MCP655 are the best and most widely used, though Ikawi make super aquarium pumps.
Coolant.
Water and a biocide are all you need.
The price of a full loop ranges from sub 100$ for an ok cpu loop to thousands for the best components.
Case selection:
The best cases for water cooling are from mountain mods, they are pretty much designed from the ground up to be a water cooled system. Corsair's obsidian series are good, and the coolermaster acts 840 are nice aswell. Special mention for the Silverstone tj07 which is godly. Also Lian li.
gogo gadget
[editline]19th October 2010[/editline]
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;25499197]liquid cooling is only worth the price if you overclock and leave your computer overclocked. and not a little 1 GHz OC either, I'm talking 1.5 GHz+[/QUOTE]
Either this or quiet, you can run passive if you have enough radiator surface area
you forgot the reservoir, it is the most important because I said so
t line master race
Simple physics.
Copper has a low specific heat capacity, in that it takes a low amount of energy to raise the metal by 1 degree celsius. Copper requires roughly 400 joules per kilogram.
Water on the other hand has a much higher specific heat capacity, around 4200 joules per kilogram.
In saying that, physics requires an equilibrium, as the hot copper water block will have much more heat energy than the water, this energy will be transfered over to the water. As water requires more energy per to raise by 1 degree celsius, the water can absorb a lot of the heat generated by the cpu.
Simple?
Pretty much yeah, though water cooling ends up plenty more complicated as a by-product of being, let's face it, a liquid. Also, did you mean less energy back there? If you're transferring heat from a 100C block of copper to a 20C block of water, of equal mass, then the water will have more [i]energy[/i], but less actual heat. That's sort of why specific heat capacity is used, to distinguish between energy and temperature. But to conclude, yes, it'll be more effective than air cooling, possibly, but as ever it's limited by whatever contact surface there is between the hot component and the cold liquid. Also, if you're looking for a nice high specific heat capacity, do it nuclear style, use liquid sodium. Oh wait, too hot, ouch!
Oh and another thing, do not buy full kits from places like newegg please. Do research and choose the parts yourself.
What about that Swiftech 220 kit?
[QUOTE=Falubii;25499109]Milky is talented, but he isn't the super god of PCs [b]and he isn't the only person who understands liquid cooling.[/b][/QUOTE]Oh really? I didn't know that.
[QUOTE=xxncxx;25505290]What about that Swiftech 220 kit?[/QUOTE]
That ones OK as its just a load of Swiftech parts, but its the same principle of buying a custom PC versus a pre built.
its speks~ for it self
[editline]19th October 2010[/editline]
lol
[editline]19th October 2010[/editline]
its specks for it self
End your life now
[QUOTE=Luuper;25499477]Ok, given that the lot of you seem uneducated about this, here we goo
Liquid cooling works like this, air transfers heat far worse than liquid, therefore to have liquid carry heat away from components would be great. The main components in a liquid cooling loop are blocks which touch the components, their job is to transfer heat to the liquid. The second thing is tubing, which i assume you know what that does. The third is a pump which well, pumps the water, reservoir feeds the pump. The radiators, the rads have air flowing between cooling fins through which the water runs through and takes heat away. Uhh, whats left, yeah, coolant, coolant is what conducts the heat.
Brand Recomendation.
Blocks:
Ek pretty much makes the best, or most recommended blocks bar none.
Radiators
Uhh good mid range ones are made by Swiftech, high end ones are thermochill or Hardware Labs
Pumps
Swiftech MCP355 or MCP655 are the best and most widely used, though Ikawi make super aquarium pumps.
Coolant.
Water and a biocide are all you need.
The price of a full loop ranges from sub 100$ for an ok cpu loop to thousands for the best components.
Case selection:
The best cases for water cooling are from mountain mods, they are pretty much designed from the ground up to be a water cooled system. Corsair's obsidian series are good, and the coolermaster acts 840 are nice aswell. Special mention for the Silverstone tj07 which is godly. Also Lian li.
gogo gadget
[editline]19th October 2010[/editline]
Either this or quiet, you can run passive if you have enough radiator surface area[/QUOTE]
Perfect, just what I was looking for.
[editline]20th October 2010[/editline]
[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25498580]Only tidbit of history on the subject I know is the PowerMac G5 dual 2.5Ghz was one of the first major computers to come with liquid cooling stock.[/QUOTE]
History, good
[editline]20th October 2010[/editline]
[QUOTE=dirtydirtypanda;25504224]Simple physics.
Copper has a low specific heat capacity, in that it takes a low amount of energy to raise the metal by 1 degree celsius. Copper requires roughly 400 joules per kilogram.
Water on the other hand has a much higher specific heat capacity, around 4200 joules per kilogram.
In saying that, physics requires an equilibrium, as the hot copper water block will have much more heat energy than the water, this energy will be transfered over to the water. As water requires more energy per to raise by 1 degree celsius, the water can absorb a lot of the heat generated by the cpu.
Simple?[/QUOTE]
Not a physics buff, but thanks!
[editline]20th October 2010[/editline]
I am most happy with the results. You all win in my heart.
the 4870 cant do 3d gaymen lol
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