How bad is it?

[Occamsblade]

Let me start by saying I did not build this system.  I won it.  So I'm guessing I came out ahead anyway.... but I am not sure what I need to do.  To start, I have built a few gaming computers but have neither built nor owned a liquid cooled one before.  I am brand new, and doing my best to figure this out based on info I am finding on forums and articles.  I am also the type that builds their systems to last.  I was really hoping this computer would allow me not to buy another home desktop before I die.  I'm not a hard core gamer, so barring a major incident the specs would probably work for that.  The computer I have is the powerspec X603.  https://www.ekfluidgaming.com/powerspec-fluid-gaming/ 

 

In theory anyway.  Like I said, I won this.  They had a youtuber build it on display for the grand opening of the Denver remodel.  I got it almost a year ago.  Have not used it a lot, but I do use it.  The way this build was designed all of the metal components are supposed to be aluminum.  No one told me that, I put a nickel drain and a few painted metal caps in it.  The bigger problem is that apparently no one told the youtuber that.  I don't know what issue they had with the block for the graphics card, all I know is they did not use the one that came with the unit.  Something went wrong.  They used a stock one from the shelf made of nickel plated copper.  The thing weighs 2 lbs.  It has been running EK clear fluid for almost a year.  There is damage to the plating in a few small areas of the block for the graphics card.  I have no idea what damage may or may not be in the aluminum radiator that hangs above all of my electronics.  I first started looking into what fluid I can use... and now I am asking myself can I even run this without changing components... and if I need to make a change what should I change?  I can probably get the store to swap the video card block for an aluminum one.  To upgrade everything else to nickle / copper would be about $250.  Please remember I have not messed with these before.  I am only going off what I have read.  I am smart enough to know I have a problem, and that it could be a big one.  But I don't know a heck of a lot beyond that ... other than don't add that silver coil I bought hoping not to spend $40 a year in fluids.  I have ripped it apart and its sitting dry.

[Spakes]

Well, since aluminium and nickel already introduced issues in waterloop, I'd say ask EK for help and get rid of current loop for full rebuild. No need to risk it.

BUT I'm no expert either. So ask either EK Support or JayZTwoCents.

[Occamsblade]

I don't know how to get a hold of Jayztwocents.  He built it.  I am waiting for a response about the situation from EK.  I guess I should try contacting microcenter too.  Communication with EK is very slow.  We are on opposite ends of the time zone map. 

[Fasauceome]

15 minutes ago, Occamsblade said:

I don't know how to get a hold of Jayztwocents.  He built it.  I am waiting for a response about the situation from EK.  I guess I should try contacting microcenter too.  Communication with EK is very slow.  We are on opposite ends of the time zone map. 

Make sure you quote people so we see your responses

 

Why contact microcenter? Just to see if you can get a hold of the new parts?

[Occamsblade]

24 minutes ago, Spakes said:

Well, since aluminium and nickel already introduced issues in waterloop, I'd say ask EK for help and get rid of current loop for full rebuild. No need to risk it.

BUT I'm no expert either. So ask either EK Support or JayZTwoCents.

 

3 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

Make sure you quote people so we see your responses

 

Why contact microcenter? Just to see if you can get a hold of the new parts?

Ok.  I did not know about the quoting thing at all.  I wondered why people quoted each other a lot.  Microcenter was where I won it.  Since it was a prize, there are no receipts / which makes getting anything done warranty wise a real pain.  The build took place there and I think at least one of the employees aware of the swap remains at this point.  Basically, I have nothing but the computer itself (and jayztwocents video) to prove anything about the unit.  He does not even show the complete build in the video on his channel.  And yes, if you watch it I was totally confused, and had no idea what I had won.  I did not watch him build it.  In fact, I had gone there to get a wifi card to move my old gaming PC out of my office so the kids would let me study.  So, yeah, I won a new one and did not get my office back.  I have since moved out of state which complicates this too. 

[Spakes]

3 minutes ago, Occamsblade said:

Microcenter was where I won it.  Since it was a prize, there are no receipts / which makes getting anything done warranty wise a real pain.  The build took place there and I think at least one of the employees aware of the swap remains at this point.  Basically, I have nothing but the computer itself (and jayztwocents video) to prove anything about the unit.

Well, let's use your nickname and guess that you don't have a lot of time. What is the fastest thing to do now? Call Microcenter and ask if they can help. Or get Jay on twitter, maybe that will work out (directly or via CoconutMonkey or Phil, his current camera guy). If time isn't of the essence, go to this page: https://www.ekwb.com/create-a-support-ticket/

[Occamsblade]

7 minutes ago, Spakes said:

Well, let's use your nickname and guess that you don't have a lot of time. What is the fastest thing to do now? Call Microcenter and ask if they can help. Or get Jay on twitter, maybe that will work out (directly or via CoconutMonkey or Phil, his current camera guy). If time isn't of the essence, go to this page: https://www.ekwb.com/create-a-support-ticket/

I have already created a ticket.  Have been playing email tag with them for weeks over other issues (like me blowing all the LEDs by plugging them into the 12v header).  One of them fans got super loud, which is the only reason I opened her up.  I guess the fan failure was a good thing in retrospect.  I sent a new ticket yesterday asking for verification of the types of metals / hard tubing used.  At this point I pulled the components out of the closet and checked metal types.  That was when I started to realize how much of an issue I really had.  I sent them another message at that point.  If I hear back from them it is usually one email per day.  I ordered the replacement o-rings / LEDs on the 13th and they still haven't even shipped.  I'm a bit frustrated.  I'm starting to wonder if I can buy replacement blocks elsewhere.  So far the pump has failed 2 fans have gotten really noisy and now there is corrosion in the system.  Granted, the last one is not exactly their fault.  But they make it a point not to mention on the page that they show the builds that the components are aluminum.  The only warnings are on the rest of their website.  That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.  Its not my main computer.  I use it to read imaging sometimes, but I can get by with the laptop for now.  I got an adapter to attach it to the good monitor.

[Spakes]

8 minutes ago, Occamsblade said:

I have already created a ticket.  Have been playing email tag with them for weeks over other issues (like me blowing all the LEDs by plugging them into the 12v header).  One of them fans got super loud, which is the only reason I opened her up.  I guess the fan failure was a good thing in retrospect.  I sent a new ticket yesterday asking for verification of the types of metals / hard tubing used.  At this point I pulled the components out of the closet and checked metal types.  That was when I started to realize how much of an issue I really had.  I sent them another message at that point.  If I hear back from them it is usually one email per day.  I ordered the replacement o-rings / LEDs on the 13th and they still haven't even shipped.  I'm a bit frustrated.  I'm starting to wonder if I can buy replacement blocks elsewhere.  So far the pump has failed 2 fans have gotten really noisy and now there is corrosion in the system.  Granted, the last one is not exactly their fault.  But they make it a point not to mention on the page that they show the builds that the components are aluminum.  The only warnings are on the rest of their website.  That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.  Its not my main computer.  I use it to read imaging sometimes, but I can get by with the laptop for now.  I got an adapter to attach it to the good monitor.

Well, all I can say is... Good luck, dude... You'll definetely need it.

[BuckGup]

Since you won it good luck getting any kind of support out of it. If I were you I would either swap to air cooling or rebuild the loop completely. There's a reason you don't mix metals

[Occamsblade]

23 minutes ago, BuckGup said:

Since you won it good luck getting any kind of support out of it. If I were you I would either swap to air cooling or rebuild the loop completely. There's a reason you don't mix metals

That's kind of what I figured.  That is also why I just bought new fans and threw them in.  If I move to all nickel / copper blocks do I need to replace the block on the video card too?  Also, know of any good brands to look at?  To be honest, I have had so much trouble with this, and EK's game of one email if that per day as I wait a month for them to ship out a paid order of parts (with no updates or explanation regarding the delay) is really disconcerting.  Are there better options or should I bite the bullet and order from them?

[BuckGup]

3 hours ago, Occamsblade said:

That's kind of what I figured.  That is also why I just bought new fans and threw them in.  If I move to all nickel / copper blocks do I need to replace the block on the video card too?  Also, know of any good brands to look at?  To be honest, I have had so much trouble with this, and EK's game of one email if that per day as I wait a month for them to ship out a paid order of parts (with no updates or explanation regarding the delay) is really disconcerting.  Are there better options or should I bite the bullet and order from them?

I think it depends on what oxidizes and reacts with what. But there is probably gunk in the blocks and rads that will be very hard to remove. There a few watercooling part vendors that are decent. EK is one of the biggest and usually has some quality stuff. Otherwise there is bitspower, Corsair, XSPC, and koolance

[Occamsblade]

12 minutes ago, BuckGup said:

I think it depends on what oxidizes and reacts with what. But there is probably gunk in the blocks and rads that will be very hard to remove. There a few watercooling part vendors that are decent. EK is one of the biggest and usually has some quality stuff. Otherwise there is bitspower, Corsair, XSPC, and koolance

I was figuring if I removed the other components maybe I would not have to replace the video card block.  I am torn, on the one hand it seems like it would be easier to replace only that block since its the only non-aluminum part.  But, I have no idea what damage (if any) has been done to the radiator and in the current setup it literally hangs over all of the electronics.  If it sprung a leak in that setting... it would be really bad.  I could move it to a vertical location on the back wall of the case, where if it leaked it would just be on the case floor, and then just replace the video card block.  The other liquid option is replace everything +/- the video card block.  I have always built air cooled, but the fans came on things and I have no idea how to go about switching modes... so I would need serious tech support to try to go that route.  The CPU block is aluminum and it looks good.  No gunk, no discoloration no nothing. 

 

I have never bent the hard tubing, but it doesn't look that difficult.  I think I might be able to do it, but that is one consideration I have to keep in mind.