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Closed loop liquid cooling. Worth it?

Tags:
  • Water Cooling
  • Cooling
  • closed loop
Last response: in Components
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September 15, 2014 11:32:23 PM

Okay, so for those who are wondering, this is the build that is in question: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rVqBFT

Now, I'm not looking to liquid cool this build off the bat; I'm simply trying to figure out if liquid cooling would really be worth the investment for my uses. Since I have no desire to OC any components, I'm not too worried about how well my cooling system will perform under OC conditions. Also, this is a concept build, so it isn't sitting in under my desk just yet.

I will be using this tower for audio editing, so I'd like to keep the noise levels down. As well, considering that the tower I'll be using (Corsair 330R) has the sound dampening material in it, I do know that the system may run a bit hot; but I have no idea if the temperature difference will really be worth noting. I have multiple questions surrounding these closed loop systems.

1) Will this actually help with internal temperatures, and reduce the need of extra fans for air cooling other components?
2) Are these really of decent quality?
3) When running this kind of cooling, is there routine maintenance similar to those that are custom built?
4) Will this actually keep the overall noise down? I know there is extra noise from this type of system, like pump noise, but will it really be noticeable to me?
5) If one of these close loop systems is worth the investment, what is a realistic price to spend on one for cost efficiency?
6) Most importantly, will my case (330R) actually be able to house a closed loop system without having space issues?

I think that should cover all the basic questions I have.

More about : closed loop liquid cooling worth

September 15, 2014 11:33:37 PM

If you don't oc the cpu you don't need any closed loops, a evo 212 will be fine
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September 16, 2014 2:37:43 PM

That wasn't what I was trying to figure out. I already know that liquid cooling isn't necessary to keep the CPU cool. I have other questions regarding noise, as this is not keeping cooling the CPU.
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September 16, 2014 2:40:23 PM

Skylyne said:
That wasn't what I was trying to figure out. I already know that liquid cooling isn't necessary to keep the CPU cool. I have other questions regarding noise, as this is not keeping cooling the CPU.


If it helps water cooling tends to be louder than air cooling. What else do you want to know? I can help. :) 
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September 16, 2014 2:54:02 PM

That does help. However, do you know how cool components tend to stay in these quiet cases; namely the 330R? Do you think it would be worth going liquid to help keep the internal temperatures down, or do you think loading it up with fans will be the best method? I can always rig up the top two fans on a switch that turns them on when the lid is of, and vice versa, if the lid chokes the top ventilation as much as I expect it to.

I may go the liquid cooling route if it does keep internal temps down, and sacrifice a couple decibels of noise, if it means keeping components cooler. Less internal heat is always a goal for me.
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September 16, 2014 2:56:40 PM

I'm trying to balance noise and internal temps, since the case is mostly designed for keeping the tower quiet, instead of maximising airflow.
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September 16, 2014 3:54:16 PM

Skylyne said:
That does help. However, do you know how cool components tend to stay in these quiet cases; namely the 330R? Do you think it would be worth going liquid to help keep the internal temperatures down, or do you think loading it up with fans will be the best method? I can always rig up the top two fans on a switch that turns them on when the lid is of, and vice versa, if the lid chokes the top ventilation as much as I expect it to.

I may go the liquid cooling route if it does keep internal temps down, and sacrifice a couple decibels of noise, if it means keeping components cooler. Less internal heat is always a goal for me.


Do I think it's worth water cooling? If you aren't OC'ing then no. The tempature difference will be like 1 or 2 degrees. It would be a better investment to put more fans in and an aircooled heatsink. The internal temps would be cooler with the loaded fans option with an air cooled CPU heatsink.
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September 16, 2014 5:30:56 PM

Great. Thank you. Now, just for future reference, could you give me a little insight to these closed loop systems? I might build a second tower at some point in the next year or two, and I don't mind OC'ing a gaming build, so a little push in the right direction for liquid cooling would be great. The numbered questions I had in the first post are the ones I'm most interested in having answered. I do have one more to add, though, and that's concerning the joints/connections. Are the closed loop joints prone to leaking very easily, and if so, is there any easy way to fix them when they do leak? I would think that a custom liquid system would be a much better option to ensure a better connection at all times, and is much easier to prevent from having an accident if you ever notice a loose/leaking fitting. Also, with a custom build, you can drain the fluid while you work on it; whereas you'd start to introduce air into a closed system, and you can't easily top it off. Am I overthinking this from the engineering aspect?

Just nice to know what to do when the time comes to actually merit a liquid cooled system.
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September 17, 2014 3:09:21 PM

Skylyne said:
Great. Thank you. Now, just for future reference, could you give me a little insight to these closed loop systems? I might build a second tower at some point in the next year or two, and I don't mind OC'ing a gaming build, so a little push in the right direction for liquid cooling would be great. The numbered questions I had in the first post are the ones I'm most interested in having answered. I do have one more to add, though, and that's concerning the joints/connections. Are the closed loop joints prone to leaking very easily, and if so, is there any easy way to fix them when they do leak? I would think that a custom liquid system would be a much better option to ensure a better connection at all times, and is much easier to prevent from having an accident if you ever notice a loose/leaking fitting. Also, with a custom build, you can drain the fluid while you work on it; whereas you'd start to introduce air into a closed system, and you can't easily top it off. Am I overthinking this from the engineering aspect?

Just nice to know what to do when the time comes to actually merit a liquid cooled system.


Now the closed loops aren't prone to leaking as long as you don't acutally TWIST it like a knot. Otherwise you can bend it how ever you won't and it won't leak. Well for sure most high quailty AIO, for example: Corsair and Nzxt. (I have personal experience with both of them).
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September 17, 2014 3:57:17 PM

I guess that helps me out a little bit for future reference. Still have some questions I asked that are unanswered, but it's a start.
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