Using an AIO radiator in a custom loop

[faytleingod11]

I am looking to eventually create a custom loop for my current rig, but lack the time and budget to do it now. I am looking to use an AIO as a stop gap, specifically the Corsair H115i Platinum RGB. Mainly because I want the ML140 Pro RGB fans anyway. Would I be able to use the radiator in a custom loop if I just remove the pump?

[3 Lions]

If you are going to a full custom loop in the future then do it properly and get radiators designed for custom water cooling. 

[faytleingod11]

3 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

If you are going to a full custom loop in the future then do it properly and get radiators designed for custom water cooling. 

Why's that? Do they use some kind of proprietary fitting mount? What makes an aio rad inferior? I can't find any info online really 

[3 Lions]

Just now, faytleingod11 said:

Why's that? Do they use some kind of proprietary fitting mount? What makes an aio rad inferior? I can't find any info online really 

Because that's the proper way of doing it. 

[faytleingod11]

1 minute ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Because that's the proper way of doing it. 

I just built an xbox 360 into a itx pc. I built a matx system into my wifes bedside table. I custom painted a gtx 1080 with spray paint and used electrical tape instead of blue tape. I'm not worried about proper. I'm worried more about making my money work a little more. If there are no performance or safety issues, why not do it?

[faytleingod11]

6 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Because that's the proper way of doing it. 

sorry, not trying to be rude. I'm just wondering more about the why of it.

[3 Lions]

2 minutes ago, faytleingod11 said:

I just built an xbox 360 into a itx pc. I built a matx system into my wifes bedside table. I custom painted a gtx 1080 with spray paint and used electrical tape instead of blue tape. I'm not worried about proper. I'm worried more about making my money work a little more. If there are no performance or safety issues, why not do it?

If you are going to do a job then do it properly, there is no reason for you to botch it up to save money. 

[WihGlah]

AIOs are almost always Aluminum radiators. 

 

If you make a custom loop, don't mix Aluminum with Copper or Nickel. (which is what the blocks are made from)

[faytleingod11]

2 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

If you are going to do a job then do it properly, there is no reason for you to botch it up to save money. 

whose to say it's not going to be done properly? What's stopping the aio radiator from being just as good as an after market custom solution? I have a hard time taking a 'yes' or 'no' answer to a question of my ability to do something when the explanation is basically 'just because'. It used to be proper to not use cellphones at a gas station. It used to be proper to sit far away from a screen, but this site proves that it's demonstrably fine. 

[faytleingod11]

14 minutes ago, WihGlah said:

AIOs are almost always Aluminum radiators. 

 

If you make a custom loop, don't mix Aluminum with Copper or Nickel. (which is what the blocks are made from)

Gotcha. That makes sense. Galvanic corrosion is a good reason not to do it then.

[3 Lions]

33 minutes ago, faytleingod11 said:

whose to say it's not going to be done properly? What's stopping the aio radiator from being just as good as an after market custom solution? I have a hard time taking a 'yes' or 'no' answer to a question of my ability to do something when the explanation is basically 'just because'. It used to be proper to not use cellphones at a gas station. It used to be proper to sit far away from a screen, but this site proves that it's demonstrably fine. 

If you want to use the radiator from the AIO then that's fine but at the end of the day you are responsible for the loop, if anything goes wrong in with the loop you are responsible for any damage caused. If you want to do a botch job then that's up to you but don't blame other people if (more like when) something goes wrong due to cutting corners. 

[andrewmp6]

The rad is super thin and aluminum,The fittings most use are not a standard size,You'll spend more money using adapter fittings to get a standard size fitting and tubing.Then it would cost you to just buy a new rad the same size made for custom loops.

[wildgg]

9 hours ago, faytleingod11 said:

I am looking to eventually create a custom loop for my current rig, but lack the time and budget to do it now. I am looking to use an AIO as a stop gap, specifically the Corsair H115i Platinum RGB. Mainly because I want the ML140 Pro RGB fans anyway. Would I be able to use the radiator in a custom loop if I just remove the pump?

might as well get a unit like the S36 from fractal or a EK XLC where you can remove the fittings/tubes/pump parts for your future loop.