The great motherboard flood of 2013?

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SB2

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Apr 26, 2013
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I am excited about building my new system with a new eight-core AMD processor. I understand that the new processors generate a lot of heat, and need aggressive cooling. But my past experience with plumbing tells me that pumps and pipes and hoses filled with water will eventually leak. Is it really the smartest idea to have water-filled components stuck on top of my cpu and hovering over my motherboard?
 
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jecho

jecho

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Sep 28, 2011
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Leaks are generated by unkept plumbing and corrosive environments. You can't just water cool and not expect to have to work on your system. Similar to removing your heat sink to remove the dust. I have to say I just set up an 800d with a 120x3 rad for a 2500k and 670. Is it worth it to have my GPU never go above 37 C, I say yes.

PS never you chemical solutions. Distilled water is not corrosive.
 
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Unolocogringo

Unolocogringo

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Dec 31, 2007
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Distilled water will become slightly corrosive and conductive within a short amount of time when it comes in contact with certain metals. Copper ,Tin, Nickel and Aluminum are the most common metals used in water cooling applications. NEVER mix metals in your loop.
The more different metals you have in your loop the faster and more corrosive and conductive it becomes.
If you do mix metals always place a kill coil in your loop. It is mostly Zinc. Not only does it inhibit bacterial growth it will be the softest metal in your loop and will be deteriorated first. Much like the anodes on outboard motors for boats.
But mixing metals means more breakdowns and cleaning because your CPU block will become clogged .

The pros and cons of water cooling. It is up to you to decide if it is worth it to you.

Really all you need is a good air cooler and a well ventilated case to keep your CPU cool.
Water cooling is a hobby that requires maintenance. It is not a set and forget solution.
 
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Unolocogringo

Unolocogringo

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SB2

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Apr 26, 2013
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Rick - thanks for the answer. While the earlier comment about "distilled water not being corrosive", I do recall from my college chemistry days that, as you say, even triple-distilled deionized water will NOT be deionized once it comes into contact with metals. And many of these coolers have copper and aluminum or steel coming in direct contact, and that does create the scene for an electrolytic breakdown. AND - even if the water in these things remained as pure as the driven snow (well - that wouldn't be deionized, would it), I still don't think it would be a good idea to have distilled water dripping onto my expensive CPU and motherboard! And the earlier mention of required maintenance - the one that came with the AMD 8150 CPU appears to be a sealed unit, which is good, but there seems to be no need for - and no ability for - maintenance. I don't know that I will be overclocking this cpu, so I think I am going to get a decent air-cooed heat-sink for it, and then not stay up nights worrying about wter on the motherboard. Would love to hear the thoughts of others also. Thanks! -sb
 
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C12Friedman

C12Friedman

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Jan 25, 2012
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I think Rubix summed it up really well with this statement in the sticky "The concept of adding water into a box full of electronics seems foolish for most, very uncertain for many, and for the rest of us who do watercool... we wouldn't consider any other cooling solution."
 
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