When you have everything installed, and tightened down, check everything - TWICE! Check your water level inside the reservoir, check your hose clamps, check to make sure your fan is connected. When you are sure everything is hooked up right, plug in the power cord for your pump. You can run the power cord out the back of your case though a PCI slot if you like, but make sure you plug it in. With this type of setup, it is best to let it run 24/7, and there is no need to turn the system off when the computer is off.

   Plug in all of the computer's internal cords, and then external cords. Now you may now press the power button to turn on your computer. This next step is important - as you computer is booting, enter the BIOS setup to check your "PC Health Status". You should be able to view the current CPU temperature under this menu. If you computer has a "CPU Warning Temperature" set it to about 140F, and if you have a "CPU Shutdown Temperature" set it to about 150F. In the event that you cooling system fails, this will save your computer. Watch your CPU temp for awhile and make sure it levels off at a decent temp. I was getting CPU temperatures of about 100F with a setup like this. If you have plans to overclock your computer, do not change your voltages yet.

   Save and exit the BIOS, and let your OS start up. If you are using windows, I highly recommend you download Motherboard Monitor. For more information on it, look here: http://mbm.livewiredev.com You can use motherboard monitor to set up high-temp alarms and automatically shut down your computer in the event of the cooling-system failure.

Conclusion

   Watercooling your computer is a reliable and efficient way to cool your CPU. This article has shown how to assemble a basic setup that will give you decent temperatures. It is possible to use other cooling methods: bongs, chillers, baths, fountains, phase change systems, etc, and each method will give you different results. Here are some pros and cons for this type of system:

Pros

• Lower temperatures
  

• Stable/constant temperatures
  

• Quiet
  

• Cool looking!

Cons

• Harder to install
  

• Leaks may damage computer

   Good luck with your systems, and look for more VH water-cooling articles soon! If you need help or have questions, please ask them in the VH Forums under the Cooling Section.