|
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 >>
|
