Your computer generates heat when it works. It will need to cool to maintain optimal performance. Every computer has an in-built system that helps it cool down after a while. 

Computer cooling systems use either air or liquid. Most modern liquid coolers are closed-loop liquid coolers.

Closed-loop coolers come sealed and do not require any maintenance. However, water can evaporate through the tubes. As a result, some manufacturers have made AIOs refillable.

So, how do you change the liquid cooling PC?

How To Change Your Liquid Cooling PC

Follow the steps below. 

Step #1: Remove the cooler from the CPU

There are retention clips on each side of the heatsink. Release the clips and loosen the seal between the CPU lid and the heatsink. Do this by gently twisting clockwise and anticlockwise.

You can now lift the cooler from the CPU.

Step #2: Drain the cooler

Disconnect the tube from one of the radiator barbs and allow the coolant to spill out. You might want to use a new one for this task. To continue using the old one, you can flush it with distilled water and skip the next step.

Step #3: Get rid of the old tubes

Use a sharp knife and carefully cut along the barb. Get a replacement tube with similar dimensions from a hardware store.

Step #4: Prepare a new coolant

Get a new coolant from any hardware store around you. You will need at least 1 liter. You can also make your coolant.

To prepare a coolant, mix 1 liter of distilled water with 150 ml of an antifreeze agent and three drops or a syringe of biocide. You can add a premixed coloring agent to color your coolant.

Step #5: Attach the tubes to the cooling pump

Due to the small dimension of the tubes, you will have trouble trying to fit them on the barbs. 

One way to get around this is to keep the pump in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Then, use a hairdryer on the tube end to soften it. It will expand as you try to fit it on the pump.

Step #6: Find the pump inlet

Fill a pan with tap water and get a big syringe to inject coolant into the pump unit. The tubes you use at this point do not matter. Submerge the tube underwater before you inject the coolant.

Connect the pump to a power supply unit to power it. You should hear air bubble sounds. Use your finger to see which tube has suction at its end. That is the in-let.

Step #7: Connect the pump to the radiator

Connect the outlet to one of the radiator barbs. You can also cut the tubes to your desired length.

Step #8: Refill the cooler

Pour your coolant into a pan and use a syringe to start filling through the other open barb on the radiator. Submerge the in-let in the coolant. You can now turn on your pump. The free barb on the radiator should be freely discharging liquid out of it.

Move the radiator in every position imaginable until the coolant coming out of it has a laminar type of flow. This technique will remove air from the pump. Trapped air can damage a pump.

Step #9: Seal the tubes

Connect the pump inlet to the open barb on the radiator. Submerge the pump inlet and the free radiator barb in the coolant inside the pan while you seal. This technique helps avoid air bubbles.

You can return the liquid cooler to the CPU and enjoy your computer.

How do liquid coolers work? Continue reading for more information.

How Liquid Cooling Works

The coolant moves through the water block, absorbing heat from the baseplate. The coolant passes through the computer system and enters the radiator. 

The radiator then exposes the coolant to air. The radiator fans move the heat away from the coolant.

Parts Of A Liquid Cooling System

A liquid cooling system has the following components: water block(s), a reservoir, a pump, radiator(s), fans, fittings, tubes, and a coolant.

Water blocks are the equivalent of the heat sink in an air-cooling system. They have two main parts, the base, and the top. 

The base is the part that has contact with the graphics card or processor. The top secures the water safely in the water block.

The heat from the processor moves to the coolant in the water block.

The coolant is the cooling liquid that loops around the cooling kit to keep the processor or graphics card cool.

The reservoir holds excess coolant in the loop to replace air bubbles in the liquid as it circulates.

The radiator absorbs the heat from the coolant traveling through it from the water block. It does this with the help of the fans.

The pump, as the name suggests, pumps the coolant into the cooling system.

Advantages Of A Liquid Cooling System

Liquid cooling is a better alternative to air. Liquid cooling has some advantages for high-performance systems with more speed, more power, and better graphics.

Let us see a few reasons why liquid cooling is better than air cooling.

#1: Liquid cooling systems are more efficient

In an air-cooling system, the fans work when the system begins to overheat. So, the computer experiences an intermittent rise and fall in temperature.

In a liquid cooling system, your computer temperature is consistently low, offering better speed and performance.

Water has a high thermal conductivity. So, it transfers heat more efficiently. 

#2: Liquid cooling enhances your computer’s overclocking potential

To overclock your computer means to set your CPU multipliers to a higher frequency. Overclocking speeds up your computer processes. 

Overclocking can damage your computer because it will generate more heat. However, a liquid cooling system can keep your overclocked computer working at an optimal level.

#3: Liquid cooling systems make less noise

One bane of air-cooling computers is the loud noise of the fans. The noise is lesser in liquid cooling computers. Water cools more quietly. 

Liquid cooling systems have one fan in their setup. However, it is the liquid that does the cooling. The fan only circulates the air.

#4: Liquid cooling kit takes up less space

A high-powered computer will require more than one fan. More fans will take plenty of space and make your computer case bulky.

Liquid cooling kits have a simple arrangement. Water tubes will not take up much space and will even function better.

Can You Change Your Air-Cooling Computer To A Liquid Cooling System?

Do you use an air-cooling system? Have you considered upgrading it to a liquid cooling system? You are probably wondering if it is possible.

Yes, it is possible to do so. Here is what to do.

First, check your computer specifications for compatibility. Ensure your computer can use a liquid cooling system.

Then, clear your computer interior to get enough space to carry out the installation. Enough space will make installation easy and convenient.

Remove the fan assembly of your computer and the heat sink.

Secure the fan assembly and the radiator of your computer.

To install a liquid cooling system, you will need a pump, tubes, and coolant. You can use distilled water or buy any coolant.

Alternatively, you can make your coolant. We discussed this method earlier in this article.

Disadvantages Of Liquid Cooling

Liquid cooling systems are better in many respects than air-cooling systems. They enhance PC performance, operate with less noise, and take up less space. 

However, there are a few disadvantages to using a liquid cooling system.

One major drawback is that liquid cooling systems can be susceptible to leaks, especially when poorly installed.

Pressure can build up inside the tubes when the liquid absorbs too much heat. This pressure can lead to leaks.

Water or liquid can corrode metal parts and damage your computer’s electric components.

Another disadvantage is that it is complex to install. Installing a liquid cooling system can be tricky. You will need a little understanding of electronics and thermodynamics.

Finally, a liquid cooling system is more expensive to purchase or install. The components involved can cause you a little fortune. To cut installation costs, you can learn how to make your coolant.

Conclusion

Computers generate heat when they work and must cool to maintain optimal function. Computer systems use air or water to cool.

A liquid cooler uses water or other liquid. It is possible to drain and change your coolant if the need arises.

Changing your coolant involves a lot of steps. First, you will take out the cooler and drain the liquid. To do this, you will disconnect one of the tubes on the radiator and allow the coolant to drain out.

You can now a new coolant through the tubes and seal up the radiator. If you use a new one, get the one with the dimensions as the old one.

Liquid cooling systems are better than air-cooling systems. They make the computer work more efficiently and produce less noise.