Some good points there and I can see what you're saying. If there really was no forced airflow, then a lot of what you're saying would be a problem. The fact is (and maybe I should've made it clearer in the article) I've got two very quiet fans at the front of my case which provide a small amount of airflow throughout the case.
There isn't any protection against flooding inside the PSU, but what would cause this? The copper pipes are soldered together and the pvc that connects the two is a VERY firm connection.
I had already changed the fan in there for a quiet one, but my computer is now so quiet (having eliminated so many other fans) that it's audible. That's why I did the mod and believe it or not, the last PSU I modded was still working after 9 months of use - without a single hiccup:)
I'm the (crazy?) guy that wrote that article and I feel it's only fitting I answer some of your reservations:)
First of all, the article included a disclaimer indicating the dangers of capacitors inside PSUs and hence the need for caution. That said, I've never opened a PSU and magaed to find any voltage left in them (carefully tested with a multimeter).
The reason I used water is that it is the best combination of price vs performance. Admittedly if there was a leak, my machine would be in serious trouble. The way I've constructed the thing, it's no more likely than the fan dying to be honest!
The PSU does actually still get a little air flow since my case has two 120mm fans at the front running at 5v. They're blowing across the radiator which cools all the stuff that's water-cooled.
With regards to the worries about "live heatsinks" I've tested every PSU I've water-cooled and in each and every one, there hasn't been a single "live" heatsink.
Hope that clear things up a bit for the more sceptical of you;)
Slashdot Mirror
Because what you're suggesting may be less effort, but it's also a lot less efficient.
Well, contrary to popular opinion, my water-cooled PSUs have been going for over 9 months without a single hiccup! So there! :)
Indeed, Bladerunner did a much neater job than I. But my solution still works and is a cheaper / easier one! :)
Some good points there and I can see what you're saying. If there really was no forced airflow, then a lot of what you're saying would be a problem. The fact is (and maybe I should've made it clearer in the article) I've got two very quiet fans at the front of my case which provide a small amount of airflow throughout the case. There isn't any protection against flooding inside the PSU, but what would cause this? The copper pipes are soldered together and the pvc that connects the two is a VERY firm connection. I had already changed the fan in there for a quiet one, but my computer is now so quiet (having eliminated so many other fans) that it's audible. That's why I did the mod and believe it or not, the last PSU I modded was still working after 9 months of use - without a single hiccup :)
I'm the (crazy?) guy that wrote that article and I feel it's only fitting I answer some of your reservations :)
First of all, the article included a disclaimer indicating the dangers of capacitors inside PSUs and hence the need for caution. That said, I've never opened a PSU and magaed to find any voltage left in them (carefully tested with a multimeter).
The reason I used water is that it is the best combination of price vs performance. Admittedly if there was a leak, my machine would be in serious trouble. The way I've constructed the thing, it's no more likely than the fan dying to be honest!
The PSU does actually still get a little air flow since my case has two 120mm fans at the front running at 5v. They're blowing across the radiator which cools all the stuff that's water-cooled.
With regards to the worries about "live heatsinks" I've tested every PSU I've water-cooled and in each and every one, there hasn't been a single "live" heatsink.
Hope that clear things up a bit for the more sceptical of you ;)