How to Mount a Water Cooling Radiator
The transistors in your CPU generate a lot of heat, and when your computer is running for a long time, or working harder than what it was built for, it can overheat. In such cases, the normal heat sink and fan aren't enough, and you will need a water cooling radiator. The radiator is part of the water cooling system. The water gets pumped through a water block -- where it picks up the heat from your computer -- and through the radiator, where it is cooled again.
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Things You'll Need
- Hose clamps or bushings
- Screwdriver
- Distilled water or cooling solution
- Radiator for computers
- Wire connector
- Tubing
- Funnel
Instructions
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1
Turn off the computer and remove all plugs from the back. Unscrew the computer case, disconnect all cords and cables from the motherboard, unscrew it and pull it from the case.
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2
Determine the place inside your computer case, where you want to install the radiator. In many computers, the front has sufficient room, once you remove the exhaust fan.
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3
Unscrew the heat sink and fan, and slide-in the radiator module. Or you can install it into an empty fan slot in the back of the computer. Use the screw slots and screws provided for the fan, to screw it in, or use the screws that come with your radiator.
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4
Install the fan that came with the radiator, referring to the installation guide.
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5
Cut the tubing. It needs to be long enough to get to the processor, and back to the radiator. Refer to the instructions, as you cut and place the tubing. Attach the tubing with the clamps or bushings provided, to the intake and outtake valves on the processor and the radiator. Make sure they are tightly connected.
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6
With a funnel, add the purified water or other cooling solution to the radiator. Inspect the set-up to make sure everything is connected tightly and correctly. Run without the computer for several hours to make sure you have no leaks.
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7
Replace your computer into the case, reconnect all cards and cables and turn it on.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a waterproof sealant around the tube connectors to ensure that you won't have any water leaks. Let the sealant cure for 24 hours.
You can also mount the radiator outside of your computer. In that case, you need to have holes in the case for the tubing. Replace the spacer in a free expansion slot, send the cables and wires through and put back the special spacer included with your cooling system.
Do not kink the tubes as you connect them.
References
Resources
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