Alcohol in the loop

[4b33r]

Hello,

Greetings,

I am building a loop and trying to make it so that it requires as less maintenance as possible,I know that custom loops do require quite a lot of maintenance but maybe if I would use some isopropyl alcohol then it would require a lot less maintenance.First of all it rules out the possibility of organic matter as,well it's freaking alcohol.Secondly I don't think it will corrode metals at all,I think it won't pick up ions and get conductive as well.I know alcohol conducts A LOT less heat when compared to water but I am ok with that as long as it only requires maintenance every 5-6 years.I would also like to know if alcohol would cool my 4790k equivalent*

and R9 290x equivalent* with 2x 360mm slim (less than 45mm) rads.

Thank you.

 

*I am going to build a rig in about a year.

[iHammmy]

...

[gilm0re3]

Only ever use distilled water. Pair that with either a kill coil/algaecide/biocode/coloring agent with anti-corrosive and biocide and it will do just fine. 

 

Also, if you don't feel like maintaining a water cooling loop, water cooling really is not right for you. You have to be fully responsible for everything that happens to that loop, which includes regular maintenance and flushing of the liquid when it needs it.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Hello,

Greetings,

I am building a loop and trying to make it so that it requires as less maintenance as possible,I know that custom loops do require quite a lot of maintenance but maybe if I would use some isopropyl alcohol then it would require a lot less maintenance.First of all it rules out the possibility of organic matter as,well it's freaking alcohol.Secondly I don't think it will corrode metals at all,I think it won't pick up ions and get conductive as well.I know alcohol conducts A LOT less heat when compared to water but I am ok with that as long as it only requires maintenance every 5-6 years.I would also like to know if alcohol would cool my 4790k equivalent*

and R9 290x equivalent* with 2x 360mm slim (less than 45mm) rads.

Thank you.

 

*I am going to build a rig in about a year.

 

Your joking right? Other's can probably give more technical explanations as to why alcohol won't work. If you're not willing to perform maintenance on your loop 2 to 4 times a year water cooling isn't for you. Distilled water and a biocide like a silver kill coil or liquid biocide is enough to inhibit the growth of waterborne organisms. 

[4b33r]

@iHammmy and @Shaqo_Wyn

I am not joking

[Trik'Stari]

Or just get an AIO and call it a day.... my H110 hasn't made a peep in almost 2 years now, temps still rock solid...probably runs cooler than my body

 

Yeah I know, it's not shiny and flashy, which is why I will eventually switch, but just spend the money and make the loop easy to maintain, top mounted fill port, lowest point possible mounted drain port.

[Norman_the_Owl]

I don't see why everyone's freaking out, it's a fair question.

Sure, dumb to someone who's watercooled forever, but you guys really need to keep in mind you're hear to teach not to scoff

[ManWithBeard1990]

Alcohol may eat away at seals and tubing. I don't think that's a risk you should take.

[Wuverul]

Alcohol can destroy MULTIPLE things such as...

Tubing (depending on material)

Seals

Your res

The interior of your pump depending on material.

 

Instead of lowering maintenance requirements, you'd make it about 10x more intensive and 50x more expensive by constantly replacing parts. It's not worth it.

Either get distilled water and some kind of biocide/anticorrosive or some coolant that's got that stuff pre-mixed with dyes that might fit your build's theme. (NOTE: Avoid red dyes. You don't want the pain.)

[FranktheDinosaur]

I think people are missing the biggest problem with alcohol as a fluid, and that the heat capacity of water vs other liquids:

 

Cp of 2-propanol: 1.54 J/(gK) @STP

Cp of Water: 4.2 J/(gK) @STP

 

^Number may not be exact but gives you an idea of how much energy water can actually store.