Redneck Engineering my own CPU Water Cooler
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Check out MotionGrey’s ergonomic workplace solutions at lmg.gg and use code LINUS for 10% off! Back in the mid 2000s it was common to cool a computer using a heater core from the scrapyard, but as those have become harder to find and water cooling components became easier to find this fell out of fashion. Could the old ways have been right though? Is it still cheaper to use a heater core to cool your CPU? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: lmg.gg ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► EQUIPMENT WE USE TO FILM LTT: lmg.gg ► OUR WAN PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:50 AIOs 2:05 Heater Core 3:05 The Pump 4:19 The Case 5:40 Wrong Size Tubing 7:15 Don't Mix Metals 9:40 Right Size Tubing 13:00 Assembly 16:09 Filling the Loop 18:49 Booting Up 19:45 Testing 23:00 Conclusion 24:27 Outro
Redneck Engineering my own CPU Water Cooler takes viewers through a playful, budget minded experiment to build a functional water cooling loop using a heater core instead of a traditional PC radiator. The video frames the project as a response to the perceived failings of modern all in one coolers, citing weak pumps and limited tubing as motivation to explore a retro approach. Early on, the team discusses cost implications, noting that the heater core and necessary hardware could come in well under a typical premium AIO. The concept is introduced with a plan to design a shroud for the heater core so a standard PC fan can drive air through the fins, while also adapting to fit a contemporary case. As the project progresses, the crew confronts initial misfits and sizing issues, including tubing, fittings, and case clearance, before Kyle and Alex push forward with creative workarounds. The first big milestone is assembling a shroud and mounting hardware, followed by the realization that the pump and loop components must be chosen to maintain adequate flow and head pressure through the heater core. The team experiments with an aquarium pump, discussing head pressure versus flow rate, before pivoting toward a more appropriate pump and fittings, all while balancing the overall budget. The video captures several tense moments of trial and error, including cutting, JB Weld usage, and improvised mounting solutions, punctuated by lighthearted banter and the familiar LTT dynamic between Linus, Kyle, and Alex. In the end the build runs, the loop is bled of air, a GPU block is substituted in, and the system is tested with CPU and GPU under load to measure temperatures. The conclusion positions the heater core approach as a surprisingly viable, upgradeable alternative that can beat some AIO costs, while acknowledging tradeoffs like aesthetics and the potential for leaks if not carefully assembled. The video ends with a reflective summary on the value of experimentation, the potential for future upgrades, and a nod to the community for seeking out unconventional, educational builds. Overall, the video blends humor, engineering intuition, and hands-on problem solving to present a compelling case for reexamining old hardware techniques in a modern PC context.
Topics · technology · makerspace · hardware · DIY · computing · video-essay · engineering
Questions answered
- What was the initial budget goal for the heater core cooling project and how does it compare to a typical premium AIO?
- The video aims to build a complete loop including heater core, pump, reservoirs, and fittings for around $111, which the team compares favorably to the cost of a premium AIO, suggesting potential savings.
- Why did the team choose a heater core instead of sticking with an off-the-shelf AIO?
- The team argues that heater cores can offer comparable cooling capacity at a lower cost and with upgradeable components, providing a retro yet effective alternative to modern AIOs.
- What were the main mechanical challenges encountered during the build?
- Key challenges included matching tubing size, ensuring adequate head pressure with a suboptimal pump, avoiding metal incompatibilities in a mixed copper-copper or copper-aluminum loop, and fitting the heater core into an existing case without extensive case modification.
- How did the team address potential leaks or weak joints in the early stages?
- They experimented with different mounting strategies, attempted JB Weld fixes on fittings and tubes, and iteratively replaced or adjusted components to reduce the risk of leaks as the loop was assembled.
- What was the final verdict on performance compared with a traditional AIO?
- The crew found the heater core-based loop to be competitive or superior in certain scenarios, with better upgradeability and cost efficiency, while noting that performance can depend on pump choice, tubing, and radiator surface area.