Liquid cooling: any drawbacks?

[viper37]

I have to upgrade my gaming computer this spring.  It's been two years since the last major upgrade.  Since then, 2 fans have failed, one I can't replace (memory), and one I need to import from the US for twice the cost (big case fan, will cost 100$ once here).  I'm really getting tired of this shit.  Plus the occasional noise.

So, I'm thinking of going liquid this time.  The case costs much more $$, but I figure I don't have to replace fans every year, I'd make for it in the long run. 

Obviously, I want to overclock.  And have enough space to use 2 graphic cards, ideally.

What do I need to know?  Any pitfalls I should avoid?  Are there different cooling system out there?  Will it be near-silent or will it be as noisy as a traditional fan case?

[Grey Fox]

Water cooling still uses fans.

It is probably going to be noiser then a traditional modern fan system.

[Darth Wagtaros]

It could look cool.

[Caliga]

Liquid cooling was all the rage like 5-6 years ago but I hear less about it these days.

[Darth Wagtaros]

I thought about it for my current machine, but it was a lot of extra money and I don't overclock. 

[viper37]

Liquid cooling was all the rage like 5-6 years ago but I hear less about it these days.

Yeah, I hear less&less, but I was tired of all the fans.  But if I can't live without 'em, fuck it, I'll keep my case.

[Barrister]

Liquid cooling was all the rage like 5-6 years ago but I hear less about it these days.

Yeah, I hear less&less, but I was tired of all the fans.  But if I can't live without 'em, fuck it, I'll keep my case.

Dig around on the internet - if you're more or less doing a complete system re-build there are lots of ways to build a very quiet machine.  The biggest key is good air flow and large, slow-moving fans.

Heck I think mono had a thread where we talked about exactly that.

From what I understand watercooling is fairly loud in terms of decibels, but because it is a different kind of sound you may find it more agreeable.

[Monoriu]

Yeah I now use liquid cooling, quiet case and SSD drive.  The noise level has gone down dramatically.  There is still noise, but I can accept it. 

[viper37]

Liquid cooling was all the rage like 5-6 years ago but I hear less about it these days.

Yeah, I hear less&less, but I was tired of all the fans.  But if I can't live without 'em, fuck it, I'll keep my case.

Dig around on the internet - if you're more or less doing a complete system re-build there are lots of ways to build a very quiet machine.  The biggest key is good air flow and large, slow-moving fans.

Heck I think mono had a thread where we talked about exactly that.

From what I understand watercooling is fairly loud in terms of decibels, but because it is a different kind of sound you may find it more agreeable.

My computer is quiet... so long as all the fans are working. Eventually, after a year, somewhere, there's a fan that stops working.  Well, it doesn't stop, it becomes loud.  Very loud.  And so, I have to replace it.  A 20$ fan is ok.  The video cards fans are ok, too. 
A unique ram-fan taylored to the brand of memory I bought is impossible to replace.  That unique case fan is costly to replace as I have to order it from the US.

This is why I wanted to go with cooling, to avoid the hassle of replacing some fan every year.
But, if I have to still use fans in the case... well, it's not worth it.

[DontSayBanana]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U_Ui8H4dRs

Run-down of the actual WC setup process.

[Monoriu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U_Ui8H4dRs

Run-down of the actual WC setup process.

Huh.  I have zero idea how water cooling works or what it looks like.  I just paid someone and said that I wanted water cooling inside the box.   He said it has been done