Difference between Closed Loop & Open Loop liquid cooling, which is better?

SuperAdithya · Jul 28, 2014

Hi,
I can't clearly understand the proper difference between Closed Loop (made by many brands & are more famous), & Open Loop Coolers (which are made by brands like Alphacook, EK, XSPC, etc.). :??:

One difference I know, is that the closed loop coolers doesn't require coolant & reservoir, but the Open loop does require.
So why does the closed loop doesn't require? :??:

What's the working mechanism of both the coolers? Please explain properly.

And the aim of my PC is for extreme gaming, medium-high overclocking. So please suggest me which one will be better.

All posts are appreciated.

Thank You

TheMagicalWallaby · Jul 28, 2014

A closed loop cooler takes the idea of a custom loop into its design. The pump is build into the CPU block, and the reservoir is built into the radiator. They use Propylene Glycol in the inside of the loop, and the fluid does not need to be replaced.

A custom loop can use similar parts as a closed loop, such as a radiator with a build in reservoir or a cpu block with the pump built in, but this is not common. Most people have a separate reservoir, pump, block, and radiator. When people use coolants, the coolants, must be cleaned out because they can gunk up. When people use water, you don't really need to drain the loop for a long period of time (most people that I know who use water, clean theirs out every 1 1/1 to 2 years or so).

Custom loops offer better cooling than a closed loop as you can add radiators, get larger and thicker radiators (also there are little things like having better waterblocks). This is about as high end as you can get for cooling before you get to extreme and exotic cooling such as liquid nitrogen which is used in competitions.

A custom loop is best for getting really high end overclocks, along with keeping really low temperatures. However, an all in one liquid cooler, or even a high end air cooler, will suit anyone just fine for some fairly high overclocks. a custom loop is for the enthusiast who wants to push their CPU's to their practical limits.

DHFF · Jul 31, 2014

One of things the OP inquired about and something I have been curious about myself as I learn about loops is why closed loops do not require to be replenished the way custom loops do. If you use coolant in a custom loop you need to change it out because it gunk up and using water you still need to change it out every year or so. so what is it about the closed loop that you never need to change out the fluid?

SuperAdithya · Jul 31, 2014

TheMagicalWallaby :

A closed loop cooler takes the idea of a custom loop into its design. The pump is build into the CPU block, and the reservoir is built into the radiator. They use Propylene Glycol in the inside of the loop, and the fluid does not need to be replaced.

A custom loop can use similar parts as a closed loop, such as a radiator with a build in reservoir or a cpu block with the pump built in, but this is not common. Most people have a separate reservoir, pump, block, and radiator. When people use coolants, the coolants, must be cleaned out because they can gunk up. When people use water, you don't really need to drain the loop for a long period of time (most people that I know who use water, clean theirs out every 1 1/1 to 2 years or so).

Custom loops offer better cooling than a closed loop as you can add radiators, get larger and thicker radiators (also there are little things like having better waterblocks). This is about as high end as you can get for cooling before you get to extreme and exotic cooling such as liquid nitrogen which is used in competitions.

A custom loop is best for getting really high end overclocks, along with keeping really low temperatures. However, an all in one liquid cooler, or even a high end air cooler, will suit anyone just fine for some fairly high overclocks. a custom loop is for the enthusiast who wants to push their CPU's to their practical limits.

And im exactly gonna do that! (overclock extremely and extreme gaming+perfomance), so thanks a lot for explaining!

Iam gonna use an XSPC (420mm rad) kit.

TheMagicalWallaby · Jul 31, 2014

SuperAdithya :

TheMagicalWallaby :

And im exactly gonna do that! (overclock extremely and extreme gaming+perfomance), so thanks a lot for explaining!

Iam gonna use an XSPC (420mm rad) kit.

I highly recommend you get one with a d5 pump. Also, what case do you have? That is a massive radiator lol.

Also before you pick which radiator series you want (RX, AX, etc). Make sure you understand the difference between them.

SuperAdithya · Aug 1, 2014

I am going to buy the corsair 900d, which supports upto 480mm/420mm radiators on the top!

SuperAdithya · Aug 1, 2014

Plus, whats the difference between Ax & RX Radiators?

TheMagicalWallaby · Aug 1, 2014

SuperAdithya :

Wait no! Get the Phanteks Enthoo Primo. It has less issues and it is a much better case in my opinion. Not to mention that it is $100 less. Also, you do not need that many rads. A good 360mm radiator will be able to coool your cpu just fine. If you cool the GPU then you can get a 420 or 480.

Also, look at the Phanteks Enthoo luxe. It can what you need for cooling and it's a lot cheaper than the other two cases mentioned.

Also, if you are going to be seriously getting into water cooling, consider buying separate parts that are not from kits. You can get better performing radiators and you can pick your own parts (or get the kit and add radiators). Make sure that however many parts you get, that your pump can handle it.

Have you ever overclocked before? Do you even have the appropriate parts to do so?

Also, just to let you know, overclocking won't help that much in gaming (in most games). So be wary of the amount you are spending for the performance you are getting. Getting an all in one cooler and using that money for the GPU is going to benefit you way more than watercoolong is.

SuperAdithya · Aug 2, 2014

TheMagicalWallaby :

But the enthoo primo has lesser cooling and lesser expansion slots! 900D is better as per my personal view.

And $100 more is just nothing, I have LOTS OF MONEY (so money & cheapness isn't an issue here at all)

And are you sure I shouldn't go for an All-In-One big cooling kit (XSPC)? I am planning to buy an i7-4790k, Dual r9295x2 GPUs, and I may overclock the CPU (in future) upto 5 or more GHZ. And the main aim of my Overkill System will be: Pure Ultimate PERFOMANCE & Pure 100% ULTIMATE SUPERB future-proof GAMING. So I will have to cool my GPU nicely too.

DHFF · Aug 2, 2014

mind tossing some of that cash this way?

TheMagicalWallaby · Aug 2, 2014

SuperAdithya :

TheMagicalWallaby :

But the enthoo primo has lesser cooling and lesser expansion slots! 900D is better as per my personal view.

And $100 more is just nothing, I have LOTS OF MONEY (so money & cheapness isn't an issue here at all)

And are you sure I shouldn't go for an All-In-One big cooling kit (XSPC)? I am planning to buy an i7-4790k, Dual r9295x2 GPUs, and I may overclock the CPU (in future) upto 5 or more GHZ. And the main aim of my Overkill System will be: Pure Ultimate PERFOMANCE & Pure 100% ULTIMATE SUPERB future-proof GAMING. So I will have to cool my GPU nicely too.

Hey I am going to keep this in the private messaging, because I have a felling that this will be a long discussion.

SuperAdithya · Aug 3, 2014

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