Replacing Water Cooling With Fan??

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I have a pre built system with water cooling. The fans on the cooler are basically dead. I have to replace it with something.

I know NOTHING about cooling. I am assuming the water cooling is focused on just the cpu?

Is it okay to just take it off then put something like a nice noctua fan up on the top of the case where the liquid cooling fans are? Would I then have to find a fan specifically for the CPU as well?

Also, I have NO idea how to take off the liquid cooling and this intimidates me.

ANY sort of help, recommendations, or guidance is very appreciated.

Thanks
 
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Ok I was finally able to find the specs sheet from the original purchase. Says it's an Asetek 240mm watercooler. So looks like 2 120mm fans right next to each other?

The tubes from the cpu look like they go into a thing under the fans with a filter screen on it. Does that mean it's self contained in a way the fans can be changed without even messing with the water, tubes, etc? It would be great if I could just swap fans and only deal with plugging new ones into the same spot on the motherboard.

Finally, is there really a need to replace coolant inside the tubes or clean them or anything. I've had it five or so years and see people saying they do this sometimes. I'd love to avoid that if not totally necessary.

Thanks so much...
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Thanks, I wondered about that. Is it possible to upgrade the existing system like this with a quality fan? I guess I assumed these were exhaust fans, but maybe more powerful ones would suck more air out of the system in general?

I'm also wondering if I have a lot of flexibility in fan choice if I just replace those. Just the same size but any brand?
 
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i7Baby

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Fans are standardised so you should find a lot that are the same size that fit. You can get replacements from where you bought the pc probably. Otherwise talk to the cooler maker.

Or you can buy some yourself - say Noctua or Corsair make good brands. Each fan will be about $20.
 
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Thanks a lot! Are all fans going to be compatible with a liquid cooling system? I see the tubes connected to them in some way (too scared to take off and inspect as of now). Do I need to find some specific type that would go with liquid cooling? I'll go with a Noctua probably if they are universal. Also, what is the best way to check the size of my current fans to make sure I end up with a size compatible with my case?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying not to wreck my system and have to do returns and such as I do break things.

Thanks!
 
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i7Baby

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Tell us the make and model of the cooler and we can look it up. Most of them are 120mm fans. They all run off the motherboard usually and so are interchangeable electrically as well as physically - all 120mm fans use the same mounting hole spacing.
 
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Ok I was finally able to find the specs sheet from the original purchase. Says it's an Asetek 240mm watercooler. So looks like 2 120mm fans right next to each other?

The tubes from the cpu look like they go into a thing under the fans with a filter screen on it. Does that mean it's self contained in a way the fans can be changed without even messing with the water, tubes, etc? It would be great if I could just swap fans and only deal with plugging new ones into the same spot on the motherboard.

Finally, is there really a need to replace coolant inside the tubes or clean them or anything. I've had it five or so years and see people saying they do this sometimes. I'd love to avoid that if not totally necessary.

Thanks so much again for the help!
 
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Awesome! Nope, they made kind of a whizzing sound on and off for months and I just ignored it. Now they make a much worse sound and work less than half the time. They do have some dust build up, so I'll be sure to keep on top of that in the future.

So no need to do anything with the liquid and tubes? Not a problem to just leave it like that for over 5 years? Would rather do it all in one shot if I have to do it.

Thanks
 
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Thank you so much, put my mind at ease!

If you don't mind, I am wondering about just changing out all of my fans. I have a side one and a rear one. Would the side fan push air into the case towards gpu, then the back fan point outside the case for exhaust? It looks like they are all 120mm, but from what I've seen maybe I should have a lower powered fan on the back to create positive pressure? Also, I was thinking the liquid cooler fans would be pushing out, but that seems like a lot of air going out and not much going in. I also have a bottom slot I could put another one into if that would help.
 
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If you've only got 2 fans then one should be at the front - pushing air in - and the other at the rear pushing air out. A side fan should push air in - over the graphics card. Positive pressure is good - you should add a front fan to get it. Usually all these fans are 120 mm again. 2 pushing in and one pushing out gives the positive pressure you want
 
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