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Last updated on 2024年6月7日

What are the best practices for maintaining and cleaning liquid cooling components?

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Liquid cooling is a popular option for PC builders who want to achieve high performance, low noise, and aesthetic appeal. However, liquid cooling components require more maintenance and cleaning than air cooling ones, to prevent leaks, clogs, and corrosion. In this article, you will learn what are the best practices for maintaining and cleaning liquid cooling components, such as radiators, pumps, reservoirs, tubes, and fittings.

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Sam Jacobson

Lead Infrastructure Engineer at Discover Financial Services

1 Check for leaks

The first and most important practice for maintaining and cleaning liquid cooling components is to check for leaks regularly. Leaks can damage your PC components, cause electrical shorts, and create a mess. To check for leaks, you should inspect the tubes, fittings, and blocks for any signs of moisture, cracks, or loose connections. You should also monitor the liquid level in the reservoir and the temperature of the CPU and GPU. If you notice any abnormalities, you should turn off your PC immediately and fix the problem.

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Sam Jacobson

Lead Infrastructure Engineer at Discover Financial Services
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One of the main things that scares people when talking about a custom water cooling loop is long term maintenance. Even with properly flushed radiators, non-mixed metals in your water blocks and proper coolant selection you will have to swap that old liquid out or take things apart as part wear down. During the loop setup, I always recommend a drain port, preferably at the bottom part of the loop so gravity can work with you. This allows for quick flushing of your components and changing of liquid without creating a mess. Now is the time to do a visual inspection for leaks or worn O-rings before adding new fluid which should be something you do once a year or so. Adding a biocide to prevent growth is the loop is also key.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Regularly inspect all connections, fittings, and joints for signs of leaks. 2) Use paper towels or tissues around joints to detect moisture. 3) Monitor coolant levels and look for unexpected drops, which may indicate a leak. Personal Experience: I found it helpful to use UV dye in the coolant to make leaks more visible under UV light.

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2 Clean the radiator

The radiator is the component that transfers the heat from the liquid to the air, and it can accumulate dust and debris over time. This can reduce the airflow and cooling efficiency, as well as increase the noise. To clean the radiator, you should use compressed air, a soft brush, or a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from the fins. You should also wipe the surface with a damp cloth or a microfiber cloth. You should avoid using water or any harsh chemicals that can damage the radiator.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Use compressed air to blow out dust and debris from the radiator fins. 2) Periodically remove the radiator and flush it with distilled water to remove any internal buildup. 3) Ensure the radiator is completely dry before reinstalling. Personal Experience: I noticed improved cooling performance after using a soft brush to gently clean between the fins in addition to using compressed air.

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3 Flush the loop

The loop is the system of tubes, fittings, and blocks that circulates the liquid through the components. The loop can get dirty or contaminated by algae, bacteria, or metal particles, which can clog the pump, reduce the flow rate, and cause corrosion. To flush the loop, you should drain the old liquid from the reservoir, disconnect the tubes from the blocks, and run distilled water or a cleaning solution through the loop. You should repeat this process until the water comes out clear. You should also clean the blocks with a soft cloth or a cotton swab.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Drain the existing coolant completely. 2) Flush the loop with distilled water or a cleaning solution designed for liquid cooling systems. 3) Repeat the flushing process several times until the water runs clear. Personal Experience: Running a mixture of distilled water and white vinegar through the loop helped remove stubborn deposits. Be sure to flush thoroughly with distilled water afterward.

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4 Refill the reservoir

The reservoir is the component that stores the liquid and allows you to monitor the level and color. The reservoir can lose liquid due to evaporation, leaks, or expansion. To refill the reservoir, you should use distilled water or a premixed coolant that is compatible with your loop. You should avoid using tap water or any additives that can cause corrosion or precipitation. You should also fill the reservoir to the recommended level and bleed the air bubbles from the loop.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Use high-quality, recommended coolant for your system. 2) Fill the reservoir slowly to avoid introducing air bubbles. 3) Monitor the reservoir level and top off as needed to maintain proper levels. Personal Experience: Tapping the reservoir gently while filling helped release trapped air bubbles.

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5 Replace the tubes and fittings

The tubes and fittings are the components that connect the loop and provide flexibility and customization. The tubes and fittings can degrade over time due to heat, pressure, or UV exposure, which can cause leaks, cracks, or kinks. To replace the tubes and fittings, you should measure the length and diameter of the old ones, and cut the new ones accordingly. You should also use compatible fittings that match the size and type of your tubes. You should secure the tubes and fittings with clamps, zip ties, or compression rings.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Inspect tubes for signs of wear, discoloration, or brittleness and replace them if necessary. 2) Ensure fittings are tight and free from corrosion. 3) Use compatible fittings and tubing to avoid leaks. Personal Experience: Switching to clear tubing allowed me to easily monitor coolant flow and detect any potential issues early.

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6 Test the system

The final practice for maintaining and cleaning liquid cooling components is to test the system before using it. Testing the system can help you detect any leaks, clogs, or performance issues that can affect your PC. To test the system, you should run the pump at full speed, check the temperatures and pressures of the components, and look for any signs of leaks or noises. You should also run a stress test or a benchmark program to see how your PC performs under load. You should fix any problems that arise and enjoy your liquid-cooled PC.

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Abdul Hafiz

EXIN EPI? Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) | Experienced MEP Engineer | Computer & Technology Enthusiast
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Best Practices: 1) Perform a leak test before powering on the system. Use a power supply jumper to run the pump without powering other components. 2) Run the system with just distilled water initially to check for leaks. 3) Monitor temperatures and system performance after filling with coolant. Personal Experience: Placing paper towels around all connections during the leak test helped quickly identify any leaks without causing damage to components.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best practices for maintaining and cleaning liquid cooling components?

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1 Check for leaks

2 Clean the radiator

3 Flush the loop

4 Refill the reservoir

5 Replace the tubes and fittings

6 Test the system

7 Here’s what else to consider

PC building

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