Watercooling on a system thats on all day?

eddywatson · 29 Dec 2018 at 10:56

Hello
I am thinking of doing a new build
I was considering getting a 9900K and water cooling it with at least 3x120 fans and rad

but the system will be left on for sometimes 12hours a day. Will that cause any problems?
One of my concerns is that I've read leaving a system on for so long with a water-cooled CPU is that gunk and mess builds up in the tubes etc from the coolant.

I would really like to use primochill Vue coolant which adds an effect to the liquid when it's moving but I've read and seen videos it will clog up systems and loops straight away

Then I read that don't leave a water-cooled system on for very long etc
Any advice from people with a water-cooled system would be great! how long do you guys leave your system on for? have you ever had any bad experiences with coolants and clogging up etc?

Thank you

Dirk Diggler · 29 Dec 2018 at 11:24

I've regularly run my system for weeks without any issue. Do some research into which fluids are compatible with the tube you intend to use, because that's what causes "gunk" as it's a plasticiser effect.

Running a system 24/7 has no detrimental effect on a water cooling loop.

Glanza · 29 Dec 2018 at 11:57

No issues, my pc is on all day every day and even full weekends from time to time.

MikeTimbers · 29 Dec 2018 at 18:45

Water-cooled Titan X and 2600K - runs full load Folding on the GPU - uptime is around 99.9% for literally years now.

Either your system is clean and leak-free or it isn't. As with everything, stable environment is all important. With a water-cooled system at full load, the temps will remain constant, the pump never has to do a start, everything just runs.

WantoN · 29 Dec 2018 at 23:46

I use clear fluid and ZMT, my system is on 24/7.

LuckyBenski · 30 Dec 2018 at 01:36

I'd suggest the opposite - I've heard more people saying it's best to run water-cooling 24/7. Nothing is likely to settle in the loop, for a start.

Radox-0 · 30 Dec 2018 at 01:58

Yup, like the other's no issue running custom loops for long period of times.

I would however be hesitant to use VUE fluid period, let alone non-stop. From owners forum on the stuff, seems to break down after a while and just cause issues it seems and Primochill even then only recommend if for few hours a day.

Holst1981 · 30 Dec 2018 at 10:25

I would avoid those fancy coolants

I used to run f@h 24/7 for years on various wc systems.

Most important thing is to make sure the system shuts down if the pump fails.

eddywatson · 30 Dec 2018 at 10:29

Holst1981 said:
Most important thing is to make sure the system shuts down if the pump fails.

how do you do that?

Dirk Diggler · 30 Dec 2018 at 10:59

eddywatson said:
how do you do that?

The system will do it automatically if the components overheat.

WantoN · 30 Dec 2018 at 16:25

I only ever use clear coolant. Using Mayhem’s XT1 diluted 50% at the moment, because the room the system is in gets quite cold.

Coloured fluids, especially the more outlandish ones, hold no appeal for me whatsoever. Maintaining a loop is far easier than people make out, but only if you’re using decent, sensible fluids.

I’ve run a loop for two years, no maintenance, no problem. I just topped up with inhibitors after year one. The system, like my current one, remained on almost all the time. While I’m delighted with the way my system looks, it’s the lowest priority for me when building a system I want to last a long time. I don’t really enjoy the maintenance part, and I tend to save it for when I change something in the loop.

I get why people use coloured fluids, and I’m not knocking them. Just saying that for me, it’s not worth it.

WantoN · 30 Dec 2018 at 16:26

String said:
The system will do it automatically if the components overheat.

When I used Corsair link I put a safeguard in at 65C, to shut the system down. First time using AI Suite 3 and I can’t find an option. Not that keen on the software tbh, Aquero and Icue are much, much better.

eddywatson · 10 Jan 2019 at 13:15

If I was to go the safe way and use distilled water... how often should I replace the water?

Dirk Diggler · 10 Jan 2019 at 13:28

eddywatson said:
If I was to go the safe way and use distilled water... how often should I replace the water?

Stick a silver kill coil in, and probably good for a year or more.

WantoN · 10 Jan 2019 at 16:37

Silver kill coil does nothing for dissimilar metalsZ

Why not go for a quality clear liquid, or distilled water with proper additives.

LuckyBenski · 10 Jan 2019 at 16:49

WantoN said:
Silver kill coil does nothing for dissimilar metalsZ

Why not go for a quality clear liquid, or distilled water with proper additives.

Second that. Main issues with the fancy fluids is Vue/Aurora being abrasive and both Vue/Aurora and Pastel settling when not run. Pastel or any clear fluid should be fine if run 24/7 I'd say.

pastymuncher · 10 Jan 2019 at 19:14

Mayhems X1 clear which has all the additives you need for a loop would be my choice along with Mayhems excellent tubing. No need to pay for fancy tubing when theirs is so good yet very reasonably priced.

eddywatson · 11 Jan 2019 at 00:16

So "clear" liquids are much better than fancy ones?
Does it matter if I was to use Mayhems X1 clear, can I use dyed one from mayhem and it will give same results as the clear version?

Dirk Diggler · 11 Jan 2019 at 07:21

I've used Mayhems H2O which is basically distilled water, plus a kill coil and the loop has lasted fine.

I now use X1 clear, with no issues either.

pastymuncher · 11 Jan 2019 at 10:35

eddywatson said:
So "clear" liquids are much better than fancy ones?
Does it matter if I was to use Mayhems X1 clear, can I use dyed one from mayhem and it will give same results as the clear version?

Sorry I thought you wanted clear which is why I suggested X1 clear. All of the X1 colours will perform the same. I actually use X1 UV Red in my loop which looks very good. I have just done a rebuild of my loop after around 8 months of running and was very surprised to find that it did not stain anything. My hardline and soft tubing (I have hardline in the case and a mix of soft and 12mm copper pipe externally) were as clear as the day I fitted them. Same with the blocks and reservoir so I was very pleased with that. Because my loop takes 2.5lt of coolant I buy the 5lt drums direct from Mayhems which works out much cheaper.