This is what you should end up with. Once you are sure that all the connections are secure, and that any spilt water is cleared up, you can assemble the rest of your PC and start it up. The layout I have used here sacrifices a lot of drive bays, but performs exceptionally well because of the large radiator and the good positioning of the components.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Looking after this type of water cooling system is simple. Find a bung that fits the fill line, and stop it up. Check the water level in the fill tube every day for the first week or so of use. I keep a bottle of coolant handy for topping up if necessary, and refilling. If you use antifreeze, the system should not need refilling unless of course you disassemble the system for modifications, or drain it for transport.

Draining the system is simple. Turn the case upside down, so that the fill line is the lowest part of the system. You can then easily drain the coolant into a convenient container. If you find dirt or solid particles in your coolant, do not reuse it.

If you are using tap water and notice a build up of deposits in the tubes, the water may be too hard. You will need to dismantle the system, and flush out the radiator and waterblock with de-scaler. Refill the system with distilled water and antifreeze.

If you notice any leaks, shut down your PC at once. Try to find the leaking joint. Once you know where the leak is coming from, drain the system and take apart the suspect joint. Check that the jubilee clip is on tightly, the hose is not torn, and that the connector or hose barb is not cracked.

Once the system has proven its reliability over a month or two, the only maintenance that needs to be done is cleaning dust out of the radiator occasionally. Take the fans off, and clean them with a soft brush. You can then use a vacuum cleaner to unclog the radiator fins.

Conclusion

Hopefully the information here is useful to you. We intend to keep this guide up to date, so we advise you to check back. If you have more advanced questions, take it to the forums where there are several people who can help.

<< Back | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | | 7 | | 8 | | 9 | | 10 | Next >>