So afraid of liquid cooling

Br4infreze · Oct 25, 2016

Hello everyone!
So far I've build 3 computers in total.
But now since I'm a software engineer student I've decided to upgrade my self.
I'm building a very expensive build with i7 6700k and I think it's a must to include a liquid cooler.
But I'm so afraid of it, I know nothing about it.
What if it leaks?
What if I leave my pc on 24/7
What if my cpu is highly used most of the time (making the radiator fan goes really fast)
please help me

bicycle_repair_man · Oct 25, 2016

Start with this; http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2196038/air-cooling-water-cooling-things.html.

Introducing water into a PC carries a very obvious risk. Whilst the chance of a leakage is low, it's there nonetheless. Water cooling also requires a pump, which can be somewhat loud and fail just like any other pump. When it comes to AIO solutions like the H100i, the included fans also tend to be somewhat loud, but you can swap them for quieter ones.

The big advantages with water cooling are that it looks much better and it can bring high temperatures back down much faster than heatsinks can.

Whether you go for a custom loop or AIO water cooler, it's cooling performance is always dependent on the ambient air temperature.

n0ns3ns3 · Oct 25, 2016

First, you have to decide if you going AiO (starting at 100$) or custom loop (starting at 200$).
The risk of leak is very low. with a new loop leaking the risk of damage is next to none (if cleaned immediately) as the coolant is usually non conductive. However, the coolant becomes conductive and if a loop leaks with 12 or more month old coolant, it may cause some damage.
A proper liquid loop is quieter and performing much better. not to mention less clutter.
For starter, I'd recommend using this one:
https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xlc-predator-240
It's preassembled and prefilled custom loop that is build of high quality components (relative to crap AiO from corsair/NZXT and other asetek rebrands).
Later, when you are more comfortable, you can customize it (replacing tubing, adding components). And of course you can replace the coolant once a year or so to minimize the risk of damage in the event of leak.
As a side note, I'm doing liquid for about 10 years now and never had a leak. If you build it properly (or use a quality one) and do not pull the tubes with force (or let radiators to hang on tubes) there is no way it can leak unless something is defective or you use coolant that destroys o-rings/tubes.

13thmonkey · Oct 25, 2016

Br4infreze :

That's might be your problem right there, it is not a 'must' to include liquid cooling, it'll be more than fine without it.

Do it because you want to, do it because you want to play with it, do it because you've done the research and understand it, don't do it because you think that a high end CPU needs it, it doesn't.

Air coolers were coping with 125W+ CPUs 4-5 years ago, they are now coping with 90W CPUs, guess which puts out more heat....

iamacow · Oct 25, 2016

If you have these questions than custom watercooling isn't for you. It will leak at some point, a pump will fail at some point. I suggest a AIO cooler. You will have a lot less problems.

Custom watercooling is for enthusiasts that have nothing to lose. Kinda like racing cars, you blow the engine and rebuild. I have lost a computer to a leak, didn't phase me, I had another laying around.

synphul · Oct 25, 2016

If leaving a pc on 24/7 I'd personally prefer air cooling. Leak risks are low but not impossible and the problem is compounded if something goes awry when you're away or asleep. If an air cooler fan goes kaput the pc may throttle or emit a warning tone. If a water cooler springs a leak and you don't notice anything it may empty the whole cooler out increasing the risk for damage.

As 13thmonkey pointed out, air cooling is more than adequate even for a 6700k oc'd. You'll more than likely run out of voltage headroom than run into temperature problems. If nothing else an air cooler will adequately cool your system, you won't be giving up performance and given your fears you won't have to stress out over it.

Br4infreze · Oct 25, 2016

bicycle_repair_man :

n0ns3ns3 :

13thmonkey :

iamacow :

synphul :

First of all thank you all for the replies!
If i will buy liquid cooling it will be AIO.
its just that ive never installed or owned one before..
i have to be honest and say that the water cooling is more for astetics.
the Noctua NH 15 will do a very good job for me but i dont like those huge heatsinks popping out of the middle of the build
with no relate to color or size.
i know water cooling isnt a "must",but so far its my only option.
if you guys know any small effective white fan coolers that will be more than awesome!
i would like to hear your opinion any how.
Thank you all so much!♥

MatthewGB · Oct 25, 2016

Liquid cooling is far, far overpowered for what you need. A mid range air cooler will be quiet enough and offer good overclocking headroom. The Noctua NH-D15 is the best (AFAIK) air cooler available, and is probably better then many liquid coolers, and also far overpowered. To decide which to go for, take a look at this options list I made:
http://pastebin.com/rcbt0wBT
I don't include water cooling because it just isn't worth it for most cases!

Additionally, if you want specifically a white fan cooler, take a look at the Raijintek Aidos/Ereboss which had white blades, or replace the fan from any with an Arctic F9/F12 which are also white

Julio_17 · Oct 25, 2016

I have an i7-6700k. Liquid cooling is not a "must"

I have a mediocore case and a mediocore heat sink, and am running it on stock speed. From an FX-8370, BF4 went from 45-50FPS on Ultra 1080p to an average of 125-130 with a low of 79 and a high of 150.

I have put in several long gaming sessions on it, and have not had any issues.

I do plan on upgrading my case and adding a liquid cooling kit, but believe me, it's not a must

bicycle_repair_man · Oct 26, 2016

If you want an AIO for aesthetics then that's understandable; a huge heatsink isn't exactly attractive. Just be aware of the downsides that everyone has mentioned already.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any white coolers, but there's nothing to stop you from replacing the standard fans with white ones. Just make sure the fans you buy are static pressure ones.

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