Question about custom cooling

I'm thinking of buying a gaming desktop from Digitalstorm but I'm nervous about the custom watercooling aspect, I've always had basic watercooling and it was very easy/very little maintenance, so if I order one of the desktops (haven't decided which specific one yet) that comes with the custom cooling, will it require maintenance regularly, or do they have they're own style that doesn't require any constant attention? Thanks in advance

So even if the coolant fluid is custom (hydrolux) it doesn't require changes very often? Thanks for the answer, I just want to be sure before I commit to buying

Originally posted by YourMomsaDad So even if the coolant fluid is custom (hydrolux) it doesn't require changes very often? Thanks for the answer, I just want to be sure before I commit to buying

even with the new fluids the recommended time to change fluid is 2 years.  as always, ymmv.  keep an eye out for fluid discoloration,staining, and "filminess" to the tubes. 

all flexible tubing uses platicizer in its manufacturing process and will eventually lead to "leaching" (a white film will develop inside the tubing and eventually flake off into the loop clogging up blocks, rads, etc.) in temps above 38C.  DEHP plasticizers are the most notorious.  DS uses non-DEHP flex tubing in their custom loops (i can't vouch for AIO CLC).  obviously, acrylic and copper/nickel tubing doesn't have this problem. 

so what does all that mean?  flex tubing as used in DS systems has the benefit of quick disconnects which afford the user an easier time of switching out components and draining their water loops.  however, after a certain amount of time (2,3,5+ years) you will probably want/need to change the tubing, fluid, and take the entire loop down for thorough cleaning. 

acrylic and copper/nickel "hardline" configs don't require tubing changes, but you still need to change the fluid and flush the system from time to time (i suggest a yearly basis, no more than 2 at the most).  if you need to change a component (i.e. a graphics card in the loop) you will have to drain the loop first and dismantle (at least in part) part of the components of the loop covering that part.  acrylic is also very fragile, and i personally would hesitate shipping such a configured rig.  it doesn't take too much flexing for a fracture to occur. 

it sounds like a lot of maintenance, but it's not really.  it's only a lot if by "a lot" means to you anything more than zero maintenance.  even if you buy a closed loop, all-in-one cooler, those things aren't meant to last.  you will be tossing it in the can at some point (average 3-4 years). 

if you want true zero maintenance buy a good air cooler like the Noctua D15.            

Thanks for all of the info guys, can't wait to order it in the next few months! And another quick question before I decide would be about customizing my build before I order it, Digital storm tests the PCs for any incompatibilities, defects, or errors by booting and running them before shipping them out correct? By switching out a few of the parts on the configuration menu to non-default parts wouldn't cause any issues (like switching the Apollo case to an Air540 or changing the GPU) that show up when it arrives?

Edited by YourMomsaDad - 14 Oct 2015 at 4:16pm

they test the critical parts on a test bench (i presume) in an early phase before putting them into the rig (don't want to have to duplicate work), and then later stress test and benchmark the entire machine in a different phase down the line. 

from my own experience, if you give them (best to email Alex direct) the specs of any "special order" (not in their configurator) parts you want to get they'll confirm on compatibility and offer you advice on alternatives. 


Edited by db188 - 15 Oct 2015 at 3:30pm