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Reliability of a WC system?

Tags:
  • Water Cooling
  • Alienware
  • Overclocking
  • Product
Last response: in Overclocking
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September 22, 2012 8:34:31 PM

Hi all,

I have been looking to purchase a computer in the coming months and have now got a source of disposable income, so I am looking to invest in an Alienware Aurora, around the £1,450 mark. (Before I get hate comments, I KNOW Alienware are a bit pricey, but on doing a parts check it came to around £150-£200 more expensive, which I am willing to pay for the case alone by waiting just a few weeks more). That aside, I want to know - how reliable are liquid cooling systems? Do you know of many cases where they fail? Because my whole life I've always known to keep fluids away from electricity, so, with a large investment, I'm feeling a little nervous about cramming loads of it right around the brain of my machine.

Many thanks

More about : reliability system

a b K Overclocking
September 22, 2012 10:01:43 PM

Liquid cooling systems are as reliable as the person who built them. I wouldn't worry too much if it's from alienware (that still is a pretty big markup though), they tend to be well made. But iirc htey tend to not use enough rad space for adequate cooling? Post the specs from the system builder that you're planning to get.
September 23, 2012 7:11:44 AM

Sorry about the delayed reply - I've been asleep haha. Right, the specs I was using for comparison were:

CPU Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core £226.90
CPU Cooler Corsair Hydro Series H60 74.4 CFM Liquid £49.25
Motherboard ASRock X79 EXTREME4-M Micro ATX LGA2011 £151.24
Memory Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 £139.99
Storage Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM £57.62
Video Card MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB £209.74
Case NZXT Phantom (Black/Orange) ATX Full Tower £109.98
Power Supply SeaSonic 860W ATX12V / EPS12V £164.99
Optical Drive Sony AD-7261S-0B DVD/CD Writer £20.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) £67.66

Total: £1198 w/o Keyboard and Mouse
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a b K Overclocking
September 23, 2012 7:17:02 AM

And this is just cooling the CPU then I'm assuming? Regardless I wouldn't spend that money for the build, esp because the H60 is not enough (IMHO) for a 3820, or any E-series processor. Maybe check out some other sites like ibuypower or origin-pc (the original makers of alienware's new brand).

EDIT: Also in the event of a leak with Corsair closed kits, they tend to replace the cooler and refund you what was damaged if it was a defect.
September 23, 2012 7:25:25 AM

Yes it's just on the CPU. Ah, so I would need to get a better liquid cooler then if I'm to self-build, reducing the markup even further. That's very good to know that they would refund damaged parts, it's given me much to think about. Personally, how many cases do you know of where any kit system has sprung a leak of it's own accord?
September 23, 2012 7:44:25 AM

It appears that Corsair are pretty good at admitting responsibility - I wonder if Dell will do the same. I suppose, if push comes to shove, after the warranty expires I could always remove the WC system and put fans in

Thank you
a c 150 K Overclocking
September 23, 2012 7:45:37 AM

Hm...I thought we were talkin about real watercooling...
a b K Overclocking
September 23, 2012 7:46:10 AM

It's all watercooling in the end :p .
September 23, 2012 7:52:37 AM

Just done a bit of digging around, found out that dell use Asetek liquid coolers. Are they any good?
a b K Overclocking
September 23, 2012 7:55:13 AM

Can't personally vouch for them. Again though, check out ibuypower or origin-pc, esp origin if available in your region, they're good systems.
September 23, 2012 7:57:05 AM

Will do. Many thanks. Will definitely investigate those two brands, as well as Asetek so I can get a good picture of the whole situation. Thanks
a c 248 K Overclocking
September 23, 2012 5:30:03 PM

facem3lt3r said:
Just done a bit of digging around, found out that dell use Asetek liquid coolers. Are they any good?


Not from the days I used Asetek and every one of their pumps failed!

Hopefully Asetek has improved their product today, but you couldn't give me one of them!

I sure as heck would not spend my money on Asetek anything!
!