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Is this really an Aluminum Base?

368 views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  miki117 
#1 ·
Hey guys, I'm about to dive into a custom watercooling loop, starting with cheap-o items on a test rig to see its performance, but I'm a bit terrified of the corrosion horror stories floating here and there.

One of my orders came, and lo and behold, I got, what I believe, an Aluminum base CPU block. The website on where I ordered it shows as a Copper base, and title even said "Copper Base". Currently, I'm not that bothered that I pretty much got a wrong item since the rad I ordered is also a cheap-o "Aluminum" one.

However, upon searching the www, it looks like there isn't any pre-made aluminum base waterblock available other than those blue colored aluminum blocks with no mounts. So, my question is, is this definitely an Aluminum base? Or is it just some kind of silver colored copper or other metal of some sort?





Follow up -- if this is an AL base, would it still be recommended to add anti-corrosive agents?

EDIT: an ebay page shows it as follows:

"Materials: stainless steel + copper + acrylic"
 
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#4 ·
@Lee0, I'm pretty much mixed between coated copper, other kind of metal, or aluminum.

@Cakewalk_S, I'd try that, but checking the base itself, as well as the "pins" inside, it looks like it has been sanded clean. The base feels rough and doesn't feel like it was coated, but I'm not sure. Here's a closeup of the base.



EDIT: Hold on..... I think I've found something. I believe that this may actually be a coated copper base...

EDIT 2: Looks like it -- coated copper base. But can anyone confirm from the color of the small copper-colored dot there?

 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by miki117 View Post

Awesome! But is your rad made of copper or aluminum?

Im kinda worried that since my rad is aluminum, it might corrode
Sorry, I missed the part about the rad being aluminum. You definitely want anti corrosion fluid in your loop.
 
#9 ·
No matter how in-depth you go, you're going to get corrosion of some sort in your loop. No matter how much distilled water, silver coils, PT Nuke, etc you put in, something always starts growing or corroding somewhere... lol
 
#10 ·
Yeah, figured that out. But how long do you think an "anti-corrosion" mix last? If it'll last more than a year, I'll be good with that.

Side questions:

Are transparent "food-grade" tubings good to use with anti-corrosion mixes, like engine coolants? I'm initially after engine hoses, but stumbled upon those food grade tubings that are pretty cheap compared to those clear water cooling hoses/tubings.

Also, would it be good to use a 5mm ID hose for a 9.5mm (3/8) OD brass fitting? Or is it too tight?
 
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