Do i need a flow sensor?

malcolm · 25 Aug 2014 at 10:29

Being thoroughly disappointed with a H100i I bought for my new Z97/i7 4790 set-up, I have invested in a 'OcUK Tech Lab - V8 Watercooling Kit 240'. As i will only be cooling the CPU I decided the 750 pump was adequate. I now realise this pump does not have an RPM signal cable.

So as per title, do I need a flow sensor to keep the motherboard happy and protect the CPU?

davido_labido · 25 Aug 2014 at 10:36

malcolm · 25 Aug 2014 at 10:52

So I just turn off the cpu fan rpm monitor in the Bios and hope the pump never fails?

davido_labido · 25 Aug 2014 at 10:54

yeah pretty much, if it fails you will know about it pretty quickly! your computer will shut its self down. you can set some alerts so that it alerts you at certain temps.

malcolm · 25 Aug 2014 at 11:01

davido_labido said:
you can set some alerts so that it alerts you at certain temps.

Set alerts where? I can see there should always be water in the cpu block to absorb some heat short term, giving the bios time to shut the system down, but it seems a bit hit and miss?

pastymuncher · 25 Aug 2014 at 11:33

You can set cpu temp alerts in the motherboard bios.

scotsdragon · 25 Aug 2014 at 11:38

Youll know when your comp catches fire jumps up and runs into the bathroom screaming lol

but no you dont really need one if pump stops as other have said you comp will shut down.

malcolm · 25 Aug 2014 at 12:15

Thanks for the comments, but I think it may be something to add in the future.

zoomee · 25 Aug 2014 at 14:58

A flow meter will only measure the rate of flow. You might be better off picking up a cheap in-line temp sensor and adding that to the loop. Use some software (Hardware monitor?) to monitor that temp sensor (some motherboards also allow temp sensors to be connected directly to the board).

Then set a limit - for example 35Degrees C - once the water hits the temperature (due to pump failure) - it will warn you. Much cheaper method.

If money is not an issue I can't recommend highly enough the Aquaero 5 or 6 - awesome but of kit which operates independantly of your PC, and can be set to provide audible alerts in the event of literally anything it monitors.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=962&catid=2138&subid=2139

malcolm · 27 Aug 2014 at 20:00

Thanks zoomee, I'll look into that, though as you imply, they are not cheap!