I Will Never Watercool Again โ Water Cooling Maintenance Guide
Summary
TLDRIn this entertaining and informative video, the host embarks on a thorough cleaning and maintenance journey of a liquid cooling system, highlighting the challenges and rewards of such a task. With the help of Life's Wave's electric toothbrush, the video demonstrates the meticulous process of cleaning each component, from the CPU and GPU blocks to the radiators and tubes. The host also shares valuable insights on the realities of water cooling, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance and the impact on performance. The video concludes with a comparison of cleaning methods and a discussion on the benefits of optimizing one's cooling loop for minimal upkeep.
Takeaways
- ๐งผ Proper maintenance is crucial for liquid cooling systems to perform optimally, including regular cleaning and checking for blockages.
- ๐ฆ Drain and clean the loop using appropriate techniques to prevent leaks and ensure efficient cooling.
- ๐ ๏ธ Custom water cooling can enhance aesthetics and performance, but it requires dedication and understanding of the system's complexity.
- ๐ All-in-One (AIO) coolers also need maintenance, despite the convenience they offer, with many requiring attention every few years.
- ๐ซ Water cooling is not essential for a great gaming experience and can be replaced with air cooling for simpler, less maintenance-intensive solutions.
- ๐ ๏ธ Use of Brasso and other abrasive cleaners can effectively remove oxidation and buildup from water cooling components.
- ๐ก When reassembling components, ensure all O-rings are in place and lubricated to prevent leaks.
- ๐ก๏ธ High-performance components like the Lang D5 pump can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of a water cooling system.
- ๐ง Cleaning radiators involves using a hot water and vinegar mix, shaking them to dislodge debris, and careful handling to avoid pressure buildup.
- ๐ Reusing tubing after cleaning can save money, but always check for deformations or damage that might affect the loop's performance.
- ๐ฆท The Life's Wave electric toothbrush demonstrates the effectiveness of powerful, oscillating cleaning methods, which can be applied to various tasks, including PC maintenance.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the cleaning and maintenance of a liquid cooling system in a computer, specifically focusing on David's extreme home upgrade machines.
What is the sponsor of the video and what are they promoting?
-The sponsor of the video is Life's Wave, and they are promoting an electric toothbrush.
What is the initial condition of David's liquid cooling system?
-David's liquid cooling system is in a dirty and neglected state, with visible dust, grime, and potential blockages affecting its performance.
What is the first step in cleaning the liquid cooling system?
-The first step in cleaning the liquid cooling system is to drain the loop, which can be done by disconnecting one of the tubes in a way that allows for easy collection of the water.
What is the importance of using distilled water with a couple of drops of iodine in the cooling system?
-Using distilled water with a couple of drops of iodine helps to maintain the cleanliness and sanitary condition of the cooling system, preventing the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause blockages and reduce performance.
What is the significance of the Lang D5 pump mentioned in the video?
-The Lang D5 pump is highlighted as one of the highest performance and most reliable pumps available for PC water cooling, with the video suggesting that it has been held onto for 8 years in hopes of restoring it to its former glory.
How does the video address the complexity of water cooling systems?
-The video acknowledges the complexity and maintenance requirements of water cooling systems, suggesting that for most people, the inconvenience often outweighs the benefits. It also mentions that water cooling is not necessary for a great gaming experience and that the principles of cleaning a custom loop can also apply to all-in-one (AIO) coolers.
What is the recommendation for those who want the aesthetic benefits of colored coolant and cool tubing?
-The video recommends ensuring that the system is configured with a drain port at the bottom and the pump directly below the reservoir for easier and simpler maintenance. It also suggests using low particulate tubing to reduce evaporation and distilled water with iodine to maintain cleanliness.
How long does the Life Sine toothbrush last on battery and how long does it take to charge?
-The Life Sine toothbrush lasts about 2 hours on battery and takes just 2 and 1/2 hours to charge.
What are the features of the Life Sine toothbrush that make it stand out?
-The Life Sine toothbrush features an ergonomic handle, extra-wide 60ยฐ oscillation, and a powerful 66,000 vibrations per minute, which allows for a deep cleaning experience.
What is the final verdict on water cooling after the cleaning process shown in the video?
-After the cleaning process, the video concludes that while water cooling can look impressive and result in lower temperatures and quieter operation, it is not necessary for everyone and the maintenance can be a deterrent for some users.
Outlines
๐ ๏ธ Liquid Cooling System Overhaul
The paragraph discusses a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance process for a liquid cooling system in a computer. It highlights the importance of regular maintenance, the use of distilled water with iodine to prevent growth in the system, and the process of draining and cleaning each component. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights, including the challenges of cleaning a CPU block and the impact of neglecting maintenance on system performance.
๐ฆท Cleaning Water Cooling Components with Toothbrush
This section details the use of an electric toothbrush to clean various components of a water cooling system. It emphasizes the effectiveness of the toothbrush in reaching crevices and removing tough oxidation and buildup. The paragraph also discusses the use of Brasso, a metal polish, for cleaning copper components and the importance of using the right cleaning agents to avoid damaging the materials.
๐ง Reassembling and Testing the Cleaned System
The focus of this paragraph is on reassembling the cleaned water cooling components and testing the system. It covers the importance of checking O-rings, lubricating connections, and following a star pattern for reassembly to avoid leaks. The speaker also discusses the potential impact of cleaning on the resale value of components and the decision to replace the thermal goop with a long-lasting alternative.
๐งผ Deep Cleaning Radiators and Tubes
This paragraph delves into the process of deep cleaning radiators and tubes from the water cooling system. It outlines the steps of using a hot water and vinegar mix to clean the radiators and the importance of safety precautions to avoid pressure buildup. The paragraph also touches on the reuse of tubes with pipe cleaners and the significance of cutting off deformed sections to maintain system efficiency.
๐ก Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Water Cooling
The conclusion summarizes the water cooling cleaning process and reflects on the experience. It highlights the improved appearance and performance of the system after cleaning and the speaker's personal decision to avoid water cooling in the future. The paragraph also provides recommendations for optimizing the loop to reduce maintenance needs and mentions the features and benefits of the sponsored electric toothbrush used in the cleaning process.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กLiquid Cooling System
๐กMaintenance
๐กGunk
๐กO-ring
๐กThermal Goop
๐กRadiator
๐กCPU Block
๐กGPU Block
๐กBioside
๐กWater Cooling Maintenance Tubing
Highlights
The process of cleaning a liquid cooling system is discussed, including the use of coolant, de-gunking, and lubrication.
A $5,000 Tech upgrade is revisited, revealing a dusty and neglected system.
The importance of draining the loop properly to prevent leaks is emphasized.
Water cooling is not always necessary for a great gaming experience, and its maintenance can outweigh the benefits.
The cleaning process involves using Brasso, a product compatible with various materials found in water cooling systems.
An electric toothbrush with IP 7x water resistance is used for cleaning, showcasing its versatility.
The complexity of having both a gaming machine and a capture PC can lead to maintenance challenges.
Budget spent on aesthetics like RGB or liquid cooling could be better utilized for reliability and performance.
The impact of cleaning on cooling performance is discussed, with a jammed acceleration plate slowing down water flow.
The use of Brasso and other cleaning methods for acrylic and painted parts is explored.
The toothbrush's power and oscillation capabilities are tested and compared to manual cleaning methods.
The importance of replacing thermal goop and using high-quality thermal pads is highlighted.
The Lang D5 pump is mentioned as a high-performance and reliable option for PC water cooling.
Cleaning radiators involves using a hot water and vinegar mix, shaking them vigorously.
The process of cleaning and reusing tubes in a water cooling system is detailed.
The video concludes with the system running quietly and at lower temperatures after the cleaning and maintenance.
The toothbrush's performance in cleaning computer parts and teeth is compared, emphasizing its versatility.
Transcripts
with the help of our sponsor life's wave
electric toothbrush we are giving
David's extreme home upgrade machines
the full treatment I'm talking coolant
change de gunking o-ring lubrication by
the end of this you guys are going to
know how to get your liquid cooling
system running as good as new no matter
how scary it is oh my God can't believe
I just put my mouth on that what is that
we've never Revisited a $5,000 Tech
upgrade but looking at this I feel like
I should be keeping a closer eye on you
guys this is disgusting my favorite is
you can see the line where I once dusted
but then it's now been dusted over so
there's like mhm beautiful texture of
dust I might have been responsible for
this zip tie was I I think so yeah this
is kind of a roast of you I like that
no no I didn't pick the parts for this
is any water even getting through here
yeah I think the first thing we're going
to do assuming that we didn't configure
our loop with a drain Port is pop one of
our tubes in a way that oh it's easy to
catch all of the water now to ensure
that my instructions are clear and
complete we're going to have David work
on his second system while I work on the
main one you might not remember but this
is actually the second episode of lonus
cleans David's tech for free one of my
favorite tricks to clean out a loop
especially one that you're about to
clean anyway is
uh
oh my
God can't believe I just put my mouth on
that what is that was that ever
alive much
better funny note about their packaging
by the way when I first saw this I was
like wow they really ripped off Apple's
packaging and then I found out they are
literally using the same
Factory assuming your Loop is not this
nasty
uh it's a quick way to get everything
drained out so that when you disconnect
your hoses they don't start leaking
water all over the place because even
once you've drained the reservoir
radiators can hold a significant amount
of water now look if you're looking at
this so far going oh my God I want to
let you know a little secret water
cooling is not necessary to have a great
gaming experience I happen to love it
it's one of my passions and if you're a
silence Enthusiast or you just like hot
rotting things for fun you might want to
take the plunge but the reality is that
the
inconvenience generally outweighs the
benefit while no one really likes
talking about it least of all the
manufacturers of aios all kinds of water
coolers can require maintenance in order
to perform their best now the additives
that they put in the coolant and the low
paracity tubing that they use in these
all-in-one Solutions should keep them
running Gunk free for many years but if
you read the fine print many generally
means something like three or five and I
know a lot of people who expect more
than 5 years of dependability from their
coolers so while we're focused on custom
water cooling some of these same
principles could be applied to an aiio
that is no longer performing its best
what's interesting is I don't see where
these flakes came from in either the CPU
or GPU block I don't know if that's
reassuring or even scarier let's see how
nasty my CPU block oh yeah oh shoot did
you get CPU temps before we started
because I didn't know it was this gross
I didn't think we were going to need
that I promise you cuz I've seen it
before that this would have a
multi-degree impact on cooling
performance basically this acceleration
plate right here the slit down the
middle of it is completely jammed and
the water that's coming into this block
is not able to get at the fins very well
it's slowing it down significantly we
need this loop Clear and we need this
block clean yuck I do have to question
the overall complexity of your setup
here David you've got the gaming machine
and then you've got if I recall the nz/
capture PC
virtualization yeah the idea was that I
could game unfettered on the gaming
computer and then stream and capture at
the same time on this uh how long did
that last not very long I went to an
older system that I had that's a little
higher end uh and I've been running that
but every time that I've needed to
upgrade or fix or change it I don't even
want to think about it I just like shove
in the back ignore it what was your
biggest mistake water
cooling and that's a really good point
almost no one has a system that has
compromised nothing on reliability and
performance whether it's a cheap HBA or
a low-end motherboard and so often I see
budget wasted on RGB or liquid cooling
that could have been spent much more
effectively elsewhere so did you learn a
valuable lesson at least David oh yeah
that lonus will fix all my problems if I
wait long enough and pitch a good video
thanks lifein for that you get the
manual toothbrush and I get the lyen so
we can do our comparisons I don't
remember ever seeing anyone else
recommend this stuff but I've always
liked Brasso for cleaning my blocks it's
compatible with Copper Brass duh
aluminum chrome nickel and silver so all
the major water cooling materials and it
contains a fine abrasive that helps to
remove even tough oxidation and buildup
to get the Brasso off we're going to
need a hit of some other soap I guess
now's a good time to mention the IP 7x
water resistance of this toothbrush not
every electric toothbrush is waterproof
one soapy rinse
later not bad you can see around the
outside it still looks scummy but if you
look closely you see copper through it
so that's not something sitting on the
surface we've actually worn through the
nickel plating there's nothing I can do
to fix that with a toothbrush okay so we
both did pretty good but getting into
those little crevices there there is no
question that even though mine are finer
I was able to clean them better I mean
look this is not a life and talking
point you talk to any dentist they going
be like yeah you should probably use it
like yeah because they freaking work of
course if whatever Gunk we found in our
Loop ended up being organic we can't
just clean the parts that affect
performance or it's just going to grow
back so the next part I want to clean is
this acrylic top now my understanding is
you can actually use Brasso for that as
well but you can also use household
cleaner or a headlight polish like this
one whatever you do do do not use
alcohol or it'll end up looking like
this you know I'm going to take a shot
with the Brasso and then we'll try those
Plastics stuff dang
Brasso you awesome and life and I guess
you guys help too check that out that is
really good that took 2 minutes now that
David's done a round of manual cleaning
Lifey and boasts that with their app you
can configure their brush to oscillate
up to 60ยฐ and it has 10 levels of power
that vibrated up to 66,000 times a
minute using their proprietary servotech
they claim it's three times more
powerful than the competition so let's
see if we can take his block to another
level David I had it at like 30% before
that was plenty of power uh okay
yeah I actually have been using this
thing for a couple of weeks now and
that's the first thing I noticed about
it it's like holy crap is this thing
ever
powerful not going to lie David
everything you did kind of a waste of
effort that's a lot better yep again
there's absolutely discoloration on the
Block but that's copper that's where the
nickel plating has been worn Away by the
erosive power of water looking great do
you think brass was safe on this painted
stuff all I think this is anodized
aluminum I'm pretty sure when I looked
it up it was not but it might be let's
see Zotac mini Zac mini I mean I can
find out for you how do you find out
it's aluminum so there's but that's not
even the loop that was having the
issues it will I think this GPU block
might be a little bit wonky there's like
it's like where it's oxidized I thought
that was dirty but now I'm not have you
hit it with the toothbrush oh I've hit
it with the
toothbrush that's what happens when you
mix Metals I didn't mix the metals yeah
so it eats away at the aluminum and then
I believe it deposits on the to The
Copper the good news is I wasn't
actually really planning on using this
card the bad news is I was planning to
sell it and now I can't really do that
now that my Block's as good as it's
going to get it's time to put it back to
get wait double check make sure a that
you've got all of your O-rings in place
because if they're not you're going to
going to have water shooting everywhere
inside your PC and number two if you're
a smart boy you're going to want to give
them a quick lube before you reassemble
them we use this sinko stuff but
anything silicone not petroleum based
should do you just fine for those of you
who do Automotive work this won't be new
information but when you are
reassembling anything with a lot of
Fasteners you're going to want to go in
a star type pattern to ensure that
you're not just cranking one side
causing the O-ring to slip out on the
other side and then cranking that down
leaving it in a position where it's
going to cause a leak ah I'm so happy
with this result I'm a little behind
David I think he's actually done his GPU
block already but you know what I say
quality first now we find out if David's
going to get some really bad news losing
a 1080 TI that sucks losing a
3080 all right I have more bad news oh I
don't like that this block cannot be
meaningfully cleaned without us pulling
out like the heat gun and undoing the
adhesive on this and ripping these two
pieces off are we doing it I think it
needs to be cleaned you saw what was in
this
Loop yeah let's do it all right the
resale value goes also this is acrylic
oh our temperature control is not going
to be great so you break my 380 what
happens well look no you're going to do
it
no I advising you as your veterinarian
that your pet needs surgery oh God
you're telling me to do surgery on my
dog I'll be there every step of the way
I don't want the
liability oh my God David what are you
doing I might have put too much Lube no
you did put too much Lube who taught you
how to do this Alex you no I did you
said put it on your fingers and rub it
through and that's exactly what I did I
said put it on your fingers and run it
through yeah you just you didn't tell me
how much to put here that's the problem
Oh My specificity Linus now I'm teaching
you how to teach who's the master
now okay well this is lubed that
little hey hey hey hey there we
go yeah buddy cuz this one's not all
corroded and stuff so you can really see
what a good job you can do with
that there you go woo
not bad huh almost as shiny as my
toothbrush we've already talked about
the numbers that are possible thanks to
the sophisticated servos with tech that
life and claims has only ever been used
in robot arms before now but it also
uses hall effect sensors to generate
consistent brushing power and that helps
it hit that 60ยฐ oscillation within an
accuracy of. 1ยฐ which is pretty cool
when you see the price I've been using
one for about a month month now I've
been really pleased with the results of
it and I've only had to charge it once
in the entire time that I've had it you
remember your janky solution for this
pump no strip the wires and shove them
into here oh yeah and you were like
replace the cable I'm like what what
cable the
pump yeah you just take this and then
you uh you know put a mered on it and
then you get a Molex and you put a mered
on that and then you make a Molex end
for it sounds like sounds like something
that never happened no it happened I
just disassembled it for the video
oh it stinks the pump
stinks oh God that does stink it's green
is it possible that we had no bioside on
the day of the shoot and I said hey make
sure you throw some bioside in here it's
been drained and filled a couple times
so every time I move I drain it cuz it's
just they're so heavy with water in it
so I think I actually did put iodine in
it the first time but not the second two
times and now he knows just in time for
him to never water cool again yeah it
looks a little worse for the wear but
the inside is clean and for that matter
so is the back which means now is a
perfect time to replace our thermal goop
it's generally good for five plus years
but David never does maintenance and I'm
not coming back to this thing so we're
going to upgrade to the PTM 7950 phase
change thermal pads that we just started
stalking on LTT store.com this stuff
lasts a freaking long
time yeah I'm going to find a way for
you to come back to this no no these
just came out of the fridge so that
means I need to move pretty quickly to
get it
measured and cut if I wait too long it's
going to melt that's the phase change
part of phase change thermal pad so why
does it have to be cold when it's
installed cuz it's going to go to room
temp right away because otherwise when
you pull the plastic protective covering
off of it it rips it apart oh okay as
for the rest of our pads they're in
pretty good condition and I'm not
worried about those ones drying out over
time I guess you really are passionate
about water cooling cuz you've been in
the game since before there was PC water
cooling parts there were some okay but a
lot of people were using pumps from like
aquarium suppliers and stuff like that
back in the day there used to be a point
to it water cooling was and actually
still is the quietest way to cool a
computer but it's only quiet if you
configure it in a particular way the
average person putting an A in their
system or even building a modest custom
Loop is not really getting the silence
benefit that I would be looking for you
need big radiators with super slow
moving fans a particular pump like it
ends up being a really big system yeah
and computers are kind of getting
smaller these days tell that to the GPU
makers got them speaking of a particular
pump this is the one the Lang D5 and its
variants are among the highest
performance and more importantly highest
reliability pumps that you can get for
for PC water cooling so I've been
holding on to this
one for 8 years in hopes of restoring it
to its former glory you see it went
through some stuff when it was installed
in whole room water cooling all that
time ago and we had a cheap reservoir
from Princess auto rust and uh well this
this will be your greatest
challenge don't quite have enough to mer
it okay there we go so there's that like
water filter thing right yeah that's
what it is oh no
way I have never seen that before yeah
like that's the shoo that's the shoo it
was just a tiny little piece and I went
to pick it up and it like fell apart in
my hands it's that that that EK little
puck yeah so they've got this anti
Vortex like kind of mesh Puck thing that
is included in some of their reservoirs
and something about your system you know
I don't know that those are compatible
with
iodine oh maybe I've used iodine in my
Loops for a long time but that's not
necessarily something that EK recommends
that makes so much more sense than this
tubing which was our leading theory so
far cuz we've deployed this stuff yeah
dozens of times internally and it's been
great but then I mean the same goes for