Watercooling

The watercooling is a method of cooling for computer, which contrary to the Aircooling prefers a liquid like element Caloporteur, more effective than the air.

The principle is simple and takes as a starting point processes already used in the industrial world and car. The heat produced by an element (usually the Processor S) is transferred in water through an exchanger ( Waterblock ). The liquid itself will be then cooled in a radiator transmitting heat to the air.

The users of the watercooling seek by a more effective cooling with being able to draw the best from their material thanks to the Surcadençage (overclocking). Without to sacrifice silence, the radiator which a watercooling integrates is released from the constraints of assembly which a Ventirad has. The watercooling indicates the whole of the closed circuit of cooling. One always finds a Pompe, a Radiateur, a Waterblock S, a tank or air-trap , Tuyau X and Raccord S

Presentation of the watercooling

The watercooling in its principle of operation goes down directly from industry. Its application to data processing appeared with the beginning of the year 2000 with the democratization of the Ordinateur S and Internet.

Pumps of Aquariophilie were initially used, with waterblocks manufactured by the user (known as homemade , of English: “made house”). The radiators were those used in the cars, in particular those of the Renault Twingo or of the Opel Corsa, these radiators were called Big Moma .

Little by little, a market knew to develop around the watercooling, and nowadays the pumps come from industry. The radiators and waterblocks are manufactured by specialized companies. The means of production and design evolved/moved, allowing the more powerful design of waterblocks.

Nowadays, of many stores (mainly on Internet) propose complete ranges of products as well to the detail as in Kit S containing the necessary one to assemble a complete circuit.

A watercooling can be integrated in the case. In certain assemblies, the pump and the radiator can be off-set in a Watercase .

Elements of a watercooling

Liquid of cooling (LDR)

It tap water sagit never, in which could develop Micro-organisme S such as Algue S but also support the oxydoreduction. These phenomena would lead to an obstruction of the other elements of the circuit like the radiator or the waterblocks, even to cause them irremediable damage being able to lead to escapes in the case of oxydoreduction.

This is why liquid of cooling for car is used, it contains the additives necessary to the prevention of these phenomena. According to its viscosity it can be crossed with demineralized water.

It is sometimes supplemented by dyes which are adapted and often reagents to the Ultraviolet S, with an esthetic aim.

Waterblocks

They form the key element of the watercooling. The Waterblock S, by their design and the pressure losses which they generate, define the choice of the other elements of the circuit, in particular that of the pump. Thus in general with very restrictive blocks (which generate important pressure losses) one will choose a pump with the low flow but with an important pressure. On the contrary with not very restrictive blocks, one will use a pump with the important flow.

The pump

The Pompe ensures the circulation of the liquid of cooling in the circuit. It must be adapted to the remainder of the circuit by taking into account its length (numbers of waterblocks, size of the radiator) and its restrictivity.

The use of a pump, too powerful for a restrictive circuit could damage it and be noisy. The choice of the pump can also be moved by its integration: obstruction, direction of assembly, food, immersed or not in the tank.

The radiator

The Radiateur will ensure the transfer of heat stored in the liquid of cooling with the air.

The radiators used in the watercooling have dimensions adapted to be integrated in the cases of computers. They have site to fix ventilators in order to maximize the exchange with the air. The ventilators can be optional according to the quantity of heat to release.

It is also possible to use genuine radiators normally intended to heat a part. In this case the size of the radiator and the thermal Inertie of this last make it possible to be freed from ventilators, one then speaks about passive cooling or fanless .

The tank or Air-Trap

The air-trap (of English “traps with air”) and the tank indicate in a watercooling the same element which has actually two roles:

To facilitate the filling of the circuit.

To retain the bubbles to prevent their circulation in the circuit. Their passage in the pump would produce noise.

Connections

One distinguishes 3 great types of connection S used in watercooling:

the grooved connections , where the once above connected pipe must be maintained by clamps. It is the most universal connection it is available in many different diameters, it is also possible to force a pipe too small top. Its disassembling is often difficult.

the connections with caps , the once above connected pipe is maintained by a cap which is screwed on the connection. Simpler to use than the grooved connection, it available right or is bent, swivelling or not. It is the type of connection more used in watercooling.

the connections PNC (Plug Cool aNd) , the pipe has right need to be connected on the connection. To be used the cutting of the pipe must be perfectly transverse and right.

The connections in watercooling use a Filetage gas. It sagit generally of G1/4 or sometimes G1/8. The sealing of the connection is generally made grace of the Teflon applied in the contrary direction of threading. It can also be assured by a O ring or a liquid joint to apply to threading.

Connections in Y make it possible to connect two pipes on only one. It is useful during a parallel connection or waterblock which has 3 connections. Nurses of distribution can be used, they act like adapters.

Pipes

The Tuyau X used in watercooling can be coloured, reactive with the Ultraviolet S or simply transparencies. In watercooling one generally seeks a flexible tube in order to facilitate his integration, but it must also not grip or be flattened.

Their choice also will be defined by the type of connection used: the use of connections PNC or with caps requires a pipe of internal and external diameter precise. One will also prefer pipes of a large diameter in a not very restrictive circuit.

The series connection or parallel

The variation in the temperature of the liquid of cooling in a watercooling being very weak, it is not interesting to assemble the waterblocks in parallel, which would divide the flow, and thus the performances of the circuit. This is why the assembly in series in addition to being simple is preferred with the parallel assembly in .

Nevertheless the parallel connection can become interesting in certain circuits which mix waterblocks of the different type and in great number. He asks a thorough study of the circuit and distribution of the pressure losses. A parallel connection is also harder to integrate: it multiplies the number of pipes. In the case of a system with blocks with microchannels, the duct drainage is more difficult in the circuit and then exerts a resistance on the pump. That decreases the lifespan of the pump. When one has several heat exchangers equipped with microchannels, it is advised to put them in parallel.

Maintenance of a watercoolé system

If the various elements are not consisted of the same metal, oxydoreduction can seriously damage or stop the circuit. The most common example is to put exchangers coppers some with an aluminum tank, recovered on a vehicle.

In order to clean the system well it is preferable to entirely dismount it and to deal with all the elements one by one. It is recommended to drain the circuit regularly (between six months and a year).

Liquid of cooling

With the wire of time, the quality of the liquid of cooling can be degraded. Mechanical wear tears off microparticles with the various elements of the system. If your whole of watercooling contains elements manufactured with the hand, they will be more prone to be damaged than industrial elements. If you manufactured for example a tank with plastics, and used for the sealing of cement, it is more probable than your liquid of cooling is heterogeneous.

Waterblocks

To emerge a waterblock, the use of a compressing makes it possible most of the time to dislodge dirtinesses which would have been encrusted there. If ever that proved without success, the use of chemical such as the Hydrochloric acid or the sulphuric Acid is possible to pickle metals.

The radiator

The dust which accumulates progressively on the radiator gradually increases the Delta of temperature between the processor and the ambient air. Here also the compressor makes it possible to clean the wings effectively. If you do not have a simple vacuum cleaner of it also functions. To purge the interior of the radiator, it is advised to make circulate a few liters of liquid in open circuit. Water is enough (or of the Bleach for the prevention of the algae), but to perfect cleaning, a last rinsing with liquid of cooling can be carried out.

The tank

The tanks manufactured with the hand can cause future trouble. If the sealing of a circuit is not complete, in the case of a tank not having a perfect tightness, micro-organisms can appear. Indeed, the high temperature of the liquid in the system supports the development of the latter.

Images

Random links: