Liquid Cooling vs Air Cooling

[Iroquois]

I've heard some things about people installing liquid cooling systems onto their computers. They've said that liquid cooling systems make your computer run cooler with virtually no noise and allow you to put in faster processors. My board can except an Athlon XP 2000 but my case cannot. So here are my questions.

-Does liquid cooling keep your system cooler then fans?
-Is it really quiter than fans?
-Is a liquid cooling system complicated to install and maintain?
-How much would such a system cost and would it be worth it?

[swanny338]

for an XP 2000 Liquid cooling would probably not be worth it unless u were doing some overclocking. I am receiving my Liquid Cooling system in two days.  it does keep it cooler then fans would. It is quiter, and I wouldnt try installing it urself, get a case with it already built in. My Liquid cooling system cost 370 dollars, and for me it would be worth it. I am not sure if it would be for you

[Iroquois]

I think it may be worth it for me. My current system is in an old Pentium II case. I've been playing FS2004 for an hour and the room is starting to get too warm. I'd better let her cool down.

[swanny338]

a good way to get the temperature down is a new Heatsink with some nice thermal grease, here are links for AMD heatsinks and the best thermal grease i know of. If all your using your computer for is pretty much FS2004 I would go with a new heatsink.

http://www.svc.com/zalcnps6000c.html
http://www.svc.com/c22ghidethco.html


if you still want the liquid cooling...this is a case with everything pre installed all u have to do is put ur mother board harddrives and all that stuff into the case and put the cpu cooler on the CPU, and this model comes with a Video card cooler as well, you will still need the thermal grease either way. but thats only like 10 dollars.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swifquietpow1.html


I hope i have helped you

swanny

[Iroquois]

Fan cooling seems to be the way to go. I've got something called a "Tornado" already hooked up to my CPU and it's huge. I think the majority of the noise comes from the fact that the case itself has no fans other than on the power supply. I think I may be able to cut a hole in my old case and install a side fan, new power supply, and new CPU. The computer guy I go to deals mostly in AMD so I might be able to get a good price on it. They sell side fans for $20 at Radio Shack so there's no problem there. Power supplies can be bough easily off the web.

[swanny338]

good plan, and make sure if your gunna cut holes in your case, Take everything out, metal shavings on the components will fry everything. if u dont care what your case looks like like some people, cut holes in the front and holes in the back, intake from the front, air goes out the back. and its good that u have a nice Heat Sink

[Iroquois]

I don't think I'll have a problem with metal shavings. The outer case goes over the inner chassis like a hood unlike the newer models were you just remove a side panel. It would be easier to buy a new case but my old one is made from solid steel and is very durable unlike the new ones.

[swanny338]

Aluminum is better for cooling  

[Iroquois]

Well, I bought a new fan and installed it. Thank god it works because I had a heck of a time putting it in. When your parents own a construction company, tools tend to go missing so I had to do the job with what ever I found. The plus side is that the computer is actually quieter because the CPU fan has more room to breath.

[swanny338]

well let me know how it works out for u

[Hogans_Alley]

I have not seen an actual computer liquid cooler. How cold does the cooling liquid get? But from what I know about cooling systems (HVAC being one of my specialities) there could be a problem with condensation particulary during periods of high humidity. I believe a good cabinet fan (exhaust) with increased CFM will suffice.

Hogans Alley

[swanny338]

Hogan, my case, that i should get today, has four fans and I will probably add two more, I am positive there is no condensation. I will take a picture of the inside of my computer with the liquid cooling and post it here in a few days. I have heard a guy overclocked a AMD Athlon 1700+ which is i think 1.2 Ghz, to about 2 Ghz and his CPU was still about 40 Degrees C

[swanny338]

almost forgot, my new case with the liquid cooling, doesnt have a window , so I am gunna get a window kit and put one in myself, then some cold cathodes, most likely blue or green, will probably paint the case at some point  ;D

[swanny338]

I Just finished installing the liquid cooling, i went from about 130-140 Degrees F to 70-80  :o
thats like 30 Degrees C so I have some over clocking to do  ;D. btw its almost silent its just the four fans I can barely hear

[Iroquois]

Good to hear your new system is working out for you. I've seen a 5 degree drop since installing the cooling fan so it's time to bring on the Athlon XP. The best deal I got was for $164.98CND for a 350W supply and a 1.7ghz processor.

I wouldn't overclock too much Swanny. I've seen a burnt out processor and it looked pretty messy. Even with your fancy cooling system, be sure to keep monitoring it. Good luck on your new hotrod computer.  :)