Whether you’re building your own PC or are looking for an upgrade, you might be wondering how long a water-cooled system will last. The answer is a combination of how you maintain your unit, how well the unit is maintained, and the quality of the components that make up the system. The good news is that you can keep your PC running for years to come if you follow these simple steps.
Pump
Several factors affect the longevity of an AIO (All in One) cooling system. It should last anywhere from five to eight years with normal use.
The pump is the heart of the liquid cooling loop. It moves distilled water around the PC to keep all of the components cool. Flow rate is important, as slow or too fast of a flow can cause overheating.
The pump and its accompanying tubing are not replaceable. It takes some assembly to get it to work, so be sure to do it right.
There are various different types of pumps to choose from. Some are very good at one task, but are not as efficient at another. The Aquastream series of pumps from Eheim is a good example. It has four different types.
Radiator
Despite the name, PC radiators are actually very similar to those found in air coolers. Their primary purpose is to cool the coolant. Unlike air coolers, water cooled systems take advantage of the thermodynamics principle and send heat to the surrounding air, rather than directly to the components.
Aside from the radiator, liquid cooling systems use a pump to push the water through the system. The flow rate of the pump determines the speed at which the coolant moves through the tubes. This is important for removing the heat in the water. Too slow a flow could cause overheating of the PC’s sensitive components.
Aside from the pump, most liquid cooled systems also include a fan. The fan is a small unit that blows cold air over the pipes. This increases the overall efficiency of the liquid cooling system.
Pipes
Choosing the right pipes for water cooled PCs can be intimidating. There are a wide variety of tubing options available, and not all of them have the same inside diameter. This can affect how fast the coolant flows through the tubes, and can affect the appearance of the finished build.
There are two types of rigid tubing used for PC water cooling: acrylic tubing and PETG tubing. While both are transparent and offer excellent clarity, acrylic tubing has higher scratch resistance than PETG. Soft tubing is usually made of neoprene or PVC. It is available in a variety of colors.
The tubing’s OD and ID determine the wall thickness. For example, a rigid tube that has an ID of 0.5mm is less than half as thick as one with an ID of 1.25mm.
Fan
Whether you are building a high-end gaming rig, an all-in-one PC, or simply want to cool your computer, water cooling can be an effective solution. It can help keep your computer running cool, and can also increase the lifespan of your components. However, there are some things to consider before buying a water cooled PC.
One of the main advantages of liquid cooling is that it can move heat faster than air. This allows for faster cooling of the components in your system. In addition, the specific heat capacity of water is much higher than that of air. This allows for better thermal performance, and can also be used to overclock your CPU.
Some of the most common liquid cooled systems use a pump to push the water around the system. It’s important to make sure that the fluid is properly filtered, and that the system has a drain to prevent spillage.
Maintenance
Keeping your PC cool is no small feat. The coolest part is the fact that you don’t have to shell out a tonne of cash to do it right. You just have to be willing to commit some time to your system maintenance routine. The rewards will be well deserved. Despite this, there are many pitfalls to avoid.
As with any techie endeavor, there are a few best practices to follow to keep your rig in tip top condition. For example, if you are planning on upgrading your CPU or hard drive, consider the following tips to ensure that your upgrade is a resounding success. Lastly, if you haven’t already done so, make sure you take the time to read up on your new hardware.