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Some cooling questions

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Hello all! I am thinking about doing some cosmetic overhaul on my current setup. Part of that would be switching from a big block cooler to liquid cooling. I thought about getting a closed setup, like a Corsair, but wondered, can I swap the soft lines for rigid lines? Is there any issue with that? Or is the size not right?

Is there anything else I need to be careful of? Thanks guys!

Current setup:
Asus Z170-E
Cooler Master Hyper 212
16GB RAM (x2 8gb)
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CD/DVD Player
Seasonic X-Series 650W PSU

Desired Future Setup:
MSI Z270 MPOWER GAMING TITANIUM
Liquid Cooling with hard lines
 
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No you can't switch the hoses on an AIO cooler. There are some setups that allow you to add to the loop.
 

newtekie1

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There is no easy non-destructive way to remove the original tubing on a closed loop cooler. They also don't use the standard G1/4 fittings either. I'm sure it is possible to switch the tubing for rigid, but no worth the hassle.

You'd probably be better off buying something like an EKWB kit, then switching that to rigid tubing.
 
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Maybe I will look into some kits. I was checking out some out but was seeing price tags of like 3-400. Maybe I was looking at fancy setups? Or is that the usual cost?
 
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It gets expensive
 
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Well worst case, I change to liquid cooling and keep the soft lines for now I suppose...

I suppose I could always paint the black lines white to match the rest. :D
 

newtekie1

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https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-kit-l240-1

The EK L240 is a good entry kit for water cooling, and not a terrible price for a custom kit. It is a good starting point the will let you upgrade as you want. The pump, res, block, and rad are all quality parts.
 
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On CLC type AIOs, you can't normally change anything and if ya did, you would lose ya warranty. On OLC type AIO's no problem.

From a performance standpoint, there is no closed loop (CLC) cooling system that offers any kind of performance improvement over an equivalently priced air cooler. Because of the cheap aluminum radiators and low flow pumps, they just can't compete with air coolers. With 2 x 120/240 CLCs in the $165 range, if you are willing to enter that territory, then the OLC typ All-in-Ones are a great bargain with real copper / brass radiators and pumps capable of adequate flow rates. The Swiftec's are the best known of these and you can use whatever type of tubing ya want. The "Presitige" models come with fittinngs predisposed to this option. The 2 x 140mm and 3 x 120mm are capable of handling both a CPU and GFX card, even a MoBo Block

http://www.swiftech.com/aio.aspx

EK has the Predator line which has had some leakage issues; they announced a new modular series in january 2017, but I haven't seen it as yet on sale anywhere

https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-is-announcing-modular-liquid-cooling-products/
https://www.anandtech.com/show/12090/ekwb-announces-ekmlc-phoenix-aio
https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-mlc-phoenix/

Ek is / will be offering both all copper and all aluminum versions. Where CLCs mix copper and aluminum which is real scary
https://martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/corrosion-explored/

The all aluminum stuff will avpoid the galvanic corrosion issues that CLCs have but as expected will not be up to the performance levels of the all copper / brass series.

Aluminum
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAC8W5SB2261

Copper ... you buy the parts separately and they snap together, no coolant filling required.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAC8W6MU9764
 
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Thanks for all of the info! That A240 is pretty tempting...
 
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Just installed an EK L240 today which replaced a Corsair H100i V2. Temps are ~ 10-15 cooler across the board. I just used the black tubing that came with the kit for now. Even at 100%, the fans aren't loud at all. Overall, I think it's well worth the extra $$
 
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