Installation of liquid cooling system

Installation of a liquid cooling system on the CPU

You will need:

1. Screwdriver
2. Degreaser (ethyl alcohol) or alcohol wipes
3. Thermal paste (if it is not included with the liquid cooling system)

Preparation:

1- Connector for the water-cooling unit

2 - CPU water cooling unit

3 - Fan

4 - Connector for fan connection

5 - Thermal paste

6 - Motherboard to Water block fixing

7 - Cooling radiator

8 - Bottom frame securing the water block to the motherboard from the back

9 - All required screws

Here we are describing the installation of a maintenance-free liquid cooling system. In this system, the radiator is already filled with coolant; the radiator tubes are hermetically connected to the water block. The pump is integrated into the water block. The downside of this system is a relatively low lifetime (about 5 years), the impossibility of increasing the length of the pipes, and the impossibility of refilling the cooling liquid, which evaporates over time.

Consider when you choose a water-cooling system:

• The type of socket on your motherboard. The compatibility of the cooling system with the CPU socket is given in its specifications.
• The size of heatsink. Pay attention to the size of your case, as the heatsink may be too large.
• Length of cooling tubes. The length of the tubes may not be long enough to install the cooling system.

Before installing the cooling system, check for leaks. To do this, connect the pump and let it run for a while.

The water fluid pipes should not be stretched and bend too much.

The radiator can be installed on the top or front wall of the system unit.

Installation depends on the specifications of your system unit.

Installation

Install the brackets on the water block and the bottom frame of the water block holder on the motherboard's backside.

Mounting the water block frame on the backside of the motherboard

Mount the fans on the heatsink. Please refer to the airflow direction arrows. They are marked on the fan frame. The fan should work to blow air out of the room. In other words, the airflow should go through the heatsink into the inside of your computer case.

Attach the heatsink to the chosen location.

Apply thermal paste to the CPU. It is recommended that you apply the thermal paste using one of the methods given in the article about applying thermal paste.

Install the water block on the CPU socket. Tighten the screws alternately in a crisscross pattern.

Connect the power supply. The water block connection can be plugged into the CPU_FAN connector on the motherboard. If you have a more modern motherboard, you need to connect the water block connector to the designated liquid-cooling connectors on the motherboard (AlO_PUMP or W_PUMP). Please refer to your motherboard manual for specific motherboard connections. The second way to connect a water block is to connect to the SATA connector on the power supply. Some liquid cooling systems have connections to the motherboard's USB connector for backlight control or fan speed control.

Setting up the water block

When water blocks are connected via a USB connector on the motherboard, which allows users to flexibly customize the operation of their cooling system thanks to additional software. A connection via a 3-PIN connector (CPU_FAN, SYS_FAN) allows the user to control the speed of the rotation of the pump by changing the voltage at the connector.

Fan setup

Most liquid cooling systems are equipped with 4-pin fans. The fans are adjusted through the BIOS or via a PWM signal using proprietary utilities. Download the utilities from the manufacturer's website.

5. Remove the old thermal paste from the GPU.
6. Unscrew the remaining four screws securing the heatsink and graphics card PCB.

7. Apply new thermal paste.
8. Align the cooling system with the video card by tightening the screws on the studs. Tighten the screws evenly in a crisscross pattern.

9. Connect the fan connector to the video card.
10. Place the graphics card back into the case of the system unit.
11. Install the cooling heatsink with the fan in one of the ways described above and connect the fan.
12. You can plug the water block connector into the SYS_FAN connector on the motherboard. If you have a more modern motherboard, the water block connector must be plugged into the motherboard-specific connectors for liquid cooling (AlO_PUMP or W_PUMP). Please refer to your motherboard manual for specific motherboard connections. The second way to connect a water block is to connect it to the SATA connector on your power supply. Some liquid cooling systems have a USB connector on the motherboard for backlight control or fan speed control.

Installation of a custom water-cooling system

A properly assembled custom water cooling system will noticeably reduce the temperature of your computer's main components, but it will also cost significantly more than the same air coolers and maintenance-free water cooling systems.

Users can independently disassemble and reassemble the water-cooling loop, upgrade and service it.

In addition, it is possible to add some elements of the motherboard, such as bus controllers or the southbridge (chipset), to the loop of the serviced water-cooling system.

This will increase the performance of your computer.

Installing a custom (or serviced) water cooling system causes some risks of system leakage. All components of this system are manually assembled into a single water loop system. In addition, in the system appear additional elements, such as an expansion tank and a separate water pump. Therefore, only a professional should be entrusted with the installation of a custom water-cooling system.

Installation of the air cooling system

The air cooling system depends on the availability of places in the computer case where it is possible to install fans.

Elements of the air cooling system

Case fan

This is the element that creates and directs the airflow.

Standard sizes: 80x80, 92x92, 120x120, 140x140, 200x200 mm. For small cases: 25x25, 30x30, 40x40, 50x50, 60x60 mm. A standard case fan is about 25mm thick.

The fans have different sockets for connection.

• The 2-PIN connector has two contacts: plus and minus.
• The 3-PIN connector has a third contact that is responsible for monitoring the fan speed.
• 4-PIN connector has PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). The 4-PIN connector allows the system to self-regulate the fan speed, depending on the temperature inside the case.
• The MOLEX connector plugs the fan directly into the power supply. In this case, the fan always runs at a fixed speed.
• 5-pin, 6-pin slots are connected to an interface that allows you to adjust the fan backlight and rotation speed through a special utility.
• USB connector. If the name of the fan has USB written on it, it means that the fan controller is connected to the motherboard through a USB connector.

CPU cooler

Depending on the design, they are divided into three main types:



Standard cooler

The fan directs the air toward the processor and nearby motherboard components.



Tower cooler

Its CPU cooling efficiency is higher. The tower of this cooler gets its cooling from the case fans and from natural convection. And the fan installed in the tower increases heat dissipation.

Cable management



Careful cable routing inside the system unit case increases the system's cooling efficiency. Improperly placed cables slow air circulation in the case and collect dust.



It is important to route the cables as close to the walls as possible so that the space inside the case is open to airflow.

Dust filters

Dust buildup in a PC case can lead to overheating of the system components. In addition, large amounts of dust can cause a short circuit or static breakdown on a chip.



Modern dust filters are mounted in the case as separate units or attached to the case with magnets. They can be easily removed, cleaned, and reinstalled.



Dust filters on fans

Circulation of air in the chassis

The fans on the side and front covers of the case take air from the room to the inside of the case.

The fans on the top and back of the case blow air out of the case. These fans are located at the top of the case because heated air always rises to the top.



Excessive air pressure in a case is when more intake fans are installed in the PC case than exhaust fans. In this case the hot air is evacuated from the case more effectively and leaves less dust in the case.

Case fan installation and replacement

Fan installation options



A standard computer case is shown as an example. Some fans can be replaced. For example, three 140mm fans can be replaced with two more powerful 200mm fans.

Fan operation for air intake or exhaust

The fan always rotates in one direction. The function of the fan is determined by how it is installed (blowing in or blowing out). There are several ways to determine the direction of fan airflow:

• Arrows on the fan show the direction of airflow and the direction of rotation of the blades.



• By fan appearance.



The side of the fan with the frame and power lead is the blowing-out side.



The side, which shows only the fan blades, is the air drawn inside.

Fan replacement

Sequence of steps to replace the fan:

1. Turn off the power of the fan. The fans are connected to the "CHA_FAN" or "SYS_FAN" connector on the motherboard. Or the fans are directly connected to the power supply's MOLEX connector. In both cases, you just need to disconnect the wire.





MOLEX connector

To fix the fan, it is necessary to screw it to the computer case with four screws.



CPU cooler

Compatibility

The compatibility of your CPU cooler with your computer case depends on the size of the cooler. When selecting a cooler, pay attention to the size of the cooler so that it will fit in the case without any problems.



Because of the height, the cooler may not fit in the case.



The processor's TDP (Thermal Design Power) characteristic can help you see if the cooler is suitable for your processor. This characteristic indicates the maximum amount of heat that the cooling system needs to dissipate.

Installation



If your case has fans at the top, installing a tower CPU cooler to blow air up out of the case is recommended. In this case, the tower cooler draws heat from the motherboard and graphics card, blows the heated air through itself, and then blows air out through the top of the case. The top fans create an increased speed of air being pulled out of the case. Faster airflow through the tower cooler allows faster heat removal from the CPU.



If there are no fans on top of the case, installing the CPU tower cooler on the blow-out side through the back of the case is recommended. That is, install the tower cooler fan perpendicular to the graphics card. In this way, the warm air will be drawn away from the memory cards, pass through the CPU radiator, and be pulled out through the back of the case. For more effective heat removal from the case in this situation, it is recommended to install fans of 100 mm or more on the back of the case to blow heat away.

Automation of cooling system

 There are several options to control your PC fans:

1. Use your motherboard's special software (utility).
2. Adjust the fan speeds from the BIOS.
3. Lower the supply voltage of the coolers by artificial means.

Power supply installation

Cooling a Power Supply

Power supplies are supplied with a fan. The fan blows air into the power supply and blows air onto the components inside. The air blows out of the rear openings of the power supply.

1 - Air suction by a fan

2 - Fan

3 - Blow out holes for warm air

Incorrect installation of the power supply restricts the amount of incoming airflow. This can cause damage to its components.

Types of power supply cooling

Power supply units are available with a permanently running fan, semi-passive and passive cooling system.

Power supplies with semi-passive cooling have their algorithm to turn the fan on and off.

Power supplies with a passive cooling system are low-power and do not have a fan.

Installation options

Power supply installation from the top

The power supply takes part in the cooling of the computer components when it is installed in this way. It works by blowing air out of the case.

You will need a Phillips screwdriver to install the PSU.

The power supplies in older cases do not have as much power. In modern cases, the power supplies are more powerful and mostly placed at the bottom of the case. Therefore, they can be cooled more efficiently.

Power supply installation from below

In this case, the power supply is installed in the bottom of the case with the fan facing up or the fan facing down.

In the first case, the power supply will work to blow air out of the case, which improves the computer's cooling as a whole. But this will increase the temperature of the power supply itself, as heated air is already being blown onto its components. This installation option is preferable for low-powered computers.

In the second case, the power supply draws air from below and cools only its components, drawing air from the back of the case. This installation option is suitable for gaming computers that have space under the system unit's case.

If your system unit has no feet and is placed directly on the floor, the fan cannot draw air.

Power supply unit installation in a case with a housing

This option installs the power supply with the fan facing downward only. If installed with the fan facing up, hot air convection will be hindered, causing the power supply to overheat.

Power supply installation in a small case

If you install the power supply in such a case, you need to consider how the airflow will ensure ventilation.

How to install RAM modules

Description

Recommendations:

- It is better to install DIMM modules with the same memory capacity;

- Modules must operate at the same frequency (MHz). If you install modules with different frequencies, they will run at the frequency of the slowest memory;

- It is recommended to match the timings, latencies (delays) of the installed memory modules. You can check these settings in the CPU-Z application or any other similar one.

In the Memory and SPD tabs, you will find a lot of information about your computer's RAM.

- It is better to choose modules from the same manufacturer and model.

The RAM must be compatible with the CPU and the motherboard. The most trustworthy solution is to visit the motherboard producer's website and check the list of supported modules (DDR3, DDR4, etc.).

It does not mean that the memory modules will not work if they have different manufacturers, capacities, and frequencies.

Most CPUs have dual-channel memory controllers. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a set of RAM sticks consisting of two identical modules.

To find out how to install the RAM modules, please refer to your motherboard user manual.

When installing the RAM modules on the motherboard, you must follow the color scheme. The motherboard connectors for RAM are in pairs, usually colored differently, and alternate.

For example, you purchased a set of two 8GB RAM sticks and installed both on your computer. These cards run at the same frequency and are made by the same company. If you want to see the memory modules as a single 16 GB block, you must install them in slots of the same color. However, there is no difference in which slots the memory is mounted in if the RAM sticks are of different frequencies or capacities.

RAM sticks on the motherboard are marked by the motherboard producer.

A notch on the RAM stick

The "plug" in the RAM slot on the motherboard

Fixing elements in the slot

Installation

Place the new module into the slot, lining up the notch on the RAM stick and the bridge in the slot. It is not necessary to press anything forcefully; the board should slide in smoothly, and just at the final stage, you will need to push a little harder to fix it in the slot.

Once the board is installed, press the two catches on the sides of the slot. These will secure the module from dropping out.

Installation of a video card

Let's review the sequence of steps for replacing your video card with a new one:

1. Unplug the power supply and disconnect the power cable.

2. Disconnect all wires on the backside of the computer case.

3. Remove the cover of the system unit. To do this, unscrew the screws on the case's back that fasten the cover and slide it off. If you have a fan installed in the system unit cover, disconnect the fan cable from the connector.
4. Before you start to disassemble computer components, take a couple of pictures so that when you reassemble, you don't forget to connect anything.
5. Disconnect the video card power cables (if your video card supports auxiliary power). Unscrew the fixing screws. Press the latch on the PCI-e connector and pull it out to remove the video card.





6. Install a new video card.



7. Fix the video card.



8. Connect the auxiliary power cables of the video card (if there are any).



9. Replace the system unit cover and secure it.

Installation of two video cards

Description

Nvidia's technology for combining two or more graphic processors is called SLI (scalable link interface). The analogue from AMD company is called CrossFireX. These technologies allow you to increase the video performance.

You need two graphics cards of the same series and the same Nvidia model in order to install SLI linking in the system.

In case of AMD, you can merge absolutely any models. But combining video cards must be built on the same architecture. Manufacturers provide information about product compatibility on the official website of the company. 

An important point. The adapters' own video memory never adds up. This means that if each video card has 2 GB of RAM and 4 GB of RAM, the result will only be 2 GB.

Preparing for installation

To build an SLI and CrossfireX based system you will need:

1. A high-performance CPU capable of running two graphics adapters simultaneously. Otherwise, you will not be able to increase performance.
2. A motherboard with two or more PCI-express x16 slots which support this technology.
3. A powerful power supply. It is almost doubling power requirements. 
4. Video cards that support this technology. 
5. A bridge that connects video cards.

AMD allows to merge cards without using this bridge, but in this case, the loss in performance will be about 15-20%

Installation

1. Install the video cards in the PCI Express slots.
2. Secure the graphics cards with the locking screw.
3. Connect the power supply to both devices using the PCI-E plugs.
4. Connect the video cards with a bridge.

4. Close the computer case and turn on the computer.
5. If NVIDIA graphics adapters are used, you need to enter the Configure SLI menu and check Auto-Select and Maximize 3D performance. And in the case of Crossfire technology, the parameters will be changed automatically.

Manufacturers recommend buying one good video card rather than installing a combination of several video cards with average parameters