A water cooling system circulates water through heat sinks that are attached to vital computer components, especially the central processing unit (CPU). Water has a higher thermal conductivity than air. Accordingly, water cooling is better at keeping computer components cool than traditional cooling with internal fans.
A water cooling system, otherwise known as a liquid cooling system, consists of six main components.
* Water Block
Water blocks act in the same manner as the heat sink of the CPU. These are flat metal boxes that have two protruding pipes on one flat side. The other side is attached to the CPU and other computer components like the motherboard’s northbridge and the graphics processing unit (GPU).
* Tubing
The protruding pipes of the water blocks are attached to tubes that are connected to other parts of the water cooling system. The tubing serves as the runway for the water coolant.
* Radiator
The radiator is located outside of the computer case. This is where heated water is cooled. Once cooled, the water is pumped back inside the system. Some users will couple the radiator with an external fan to help cool the water.
* Reservoir
The reservoir holds extra water. As water courses through the system and draws in heat, some will eventually evaporate. Water in the reservoir is used to replace lost water.
* Pump
The pump, as its name implies, is responsible for pumping water through the system. It sets the pace at which water flows through the system. In a large computer case, the pump needs to be extra powerful so that water can reach the higher levels.
* Coolant
Let us not forget the water! In many cases, plain and simple water is used as the coolant. It is advisable to use distilled water since tap water contains minerals that can build up along the walls of the tubing and clog the system.
