What is this stuff in my CPU block?

[Zoltan]

Hi Guys!

In the last year I started to build a custom water loop for my PC. (This is my first time)

Here is my system specs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GlFxIpayBNK8FPOGMhgZaHsocx2I0AAjlsQVO9qrDzc/edit?usp=sharing

Current only these are connected: (I will do the GPU water cooling in the next few weeks)
CPU block : Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora PRO - Acryl Black Digital RGB
Liquid for cooling : Alphacool Apex Liquid ECO 1000ml clear
Liquid for cleaning : Alphacool Core Loop Cleaning 100ml
Radiator : Alphacool NexXxoS HPE-30 Full Copper 420mm Radiator

And it's about 10 months old. I started to notice some 'spider web'-like stuff in my system. I flushed the system with 'Alphacool Core Loop Cleaning 100ml' for about 30 minutes, then with distilled water for a few hours. The 'spider web'-like stuff is still there. Also, I noticed that the water is brown. (I think this is caused by the copper oxidation.)

My question is, what is that stuff? I think I will disassemble the CPU block and then clean it, but what is it?

Here are some pictures:

Alphacool – Google Drive

drive.google.com

Here is a video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ci3M8FJMY4LmKyP473EbHGwq8VLCwDi-/view?usp=sharing

Best regards,
Zoltán

 

[Vanzin]

Hi,

when cleaning a system, especially with your Core Loop cleaning kit, you have to dismantle the CPU and GPU coolers to remove the dirt in your system. THe core Loop cleaning Kit will only losen the algae, bacteria and deposits in your system.

https://download.alphacool.com/manual/13016_Alphacool_Core_Loop_Cleaning_100ml_Manual.pdf

 

[Zoltan]

Hi,

when cleaning a system, especially with your Core Loop cleaning kit, you have to dismantle the CPU and GPU coolers to remove the dirt in your system. THe core Loop cleaning Kit will only losen the algae, bacteria and deposits in your system.

https://download.alphacool.com/manual/13016_Alphacool_Core_Loop_Cleaning_100ml_Manual.pdf

Thank you for your reply!

I will definitely clean it after this. I just simply don't know what is that stuff. Maybe algae or the propylene glycol is reacting to the cooper or who knows.... :/
I simply can't find this out :S

 

[Eddy]

Are you using clear tubes? If so, it could also be plasticizers that are flushed out of the hose over time. But this should not happen so quickly. Unless the system runs under load for several hours every day.

 

[Zoltan]

Are you using clear tubes? If so, it could also be plasticizers that are flushed out of the hose over time. But this should not happen so quickly. Unless the system runs under load for several hours every day.

Yes I'm using clear tubes:

18412 Alphacool tubing AlphaTube HF 13/10 (3/8"ID) - clear

Deep, intense colors, pleasant handling and easy installation were the goals when developing this tubing generation. The result is a great choice of…

shop.alphacool.com

I every day play "Dota 2" at night a few hours. After maybe 8-10 months I started to see this spider-web like stuff.
My processor is Intel Core i9-13900K


Maybe I will change my tube to this: Alphacool EPDM Tube 13/10 - Black 3m (9,84ft) Retailbox

18641 Alphacool EPDM Tube 13/10 - Black 3m (9,84ft) Retailbox

The EPDM tube from Alphacool's Enterprise Solutions series is characterised by its high resistance to acids, alkalis and external influences and has…

shop.alphacool.com

Also ty for your reply

 

[Eddy]

EPDM or TPV are always better tubes. But to be honest.... that "could" be the problem... i dont say, it "is" the problem. Because normally it doesn't look so bad. Normally you would just see a few very fine threads in the system.

 

[Zoltan]

Hi Alphacool!

I just wanted to reply that this was in my CPU block (3 straight gluey lines) and radiators. I cleaned the system and changed to EPDM tubing

Oh, and I wanted to report that I changed the sealing ring on my fittings to this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...der_detail.order_detail_item.3.7880f19cDHGrKX

These are flat rings sized 12X16X2mm instead of the original "O"-shaped rings, which, from my experience, do not provide good sealing.

 

[Krasseknar]

To me this a school example of lush growth of bacteria and fungus. Just a guess, but did you by any chance top up your system over time with destilled water or something?
In the Alphacool Apex Liquid ECO Clear manual they clearly state that this will disturb the mixing ratio's and have a negative impact on the components as the biocide in the cooling liquid. It being a biodegradable also implies it is very sensitive for disturbance.

Personally I prefer a cooling liquid with a strong biocide especially with so many light sources exposed to the liquid. Disadvantage is that when disposing of the liquid, I have to be responcible and it has to go to the local waste plant as chemical waste, so not just dumping it to the sewer.

So after cleaning your loop, before refilling make an educated choice to prevent this from happening again.

 

[Zoltan]

To me this a school example of lush growth of bacteria and fungus. Just a guess, but did you by any chance top up your system over time with destilled water or something?
In the Alphacool Apex Liquid ECO Clear manual they clearly state that this will disturb the mixing ratio's and have a negative impact on the components as the biocide in the cooling liquid. It being a biodegradable also implies it is very sensitive for disturbance.

Personally I prefer a cooling liquid with a strong biocide especially with so many light sources exposed to the liquid. Disadvantage is that when disposing of the liquid, I have to be responcible and it has to go to the local waste plant as chemical waste, so not just dumping it to the sewer.

So after cleaning your loop, before refilling make an educated choice to prevent this from happening again.

Sorry for the late reply (somehow my comment was deleted).

So, I didn't mix my coolant with anything, and my radiators were clean and dry. I think maybe my sealing was not good, or I have too many light sources.

This week, I did a little search on the internet and I saw that the "Alphacool Apex Liquid ECO 1000ml clear" is using propylene glycol (which is not the best biocide). Instead of that, I need around:

• 69.5% distilled or ionized water
• 30% ethylene glycol (which is a good biocide and also a good corrosion inhibitor)
• 0.5% benzotriazole (BTA) (which is the best corrosion inhibitor when we use copper)

Maybe I will change my coolant to "aquacomputer DP Ultra" which have these properties or I will try to make my own DIY coolant

 

[Krasseknar]

Below some specifics regarding ethylene glycol;

Pure ethylene glycol has a specific heat capacity about one half that of water. So, while providing freeze protection and an increased boiling point, ethylene glycol lowers the specific heat capacity of water mixtures relative to pure water. A 1:1 mix by mass has a specific heat capacity of about 3140 J/(kg·°C) (0.75 BTU/(lb·°F)), three quarters that of pure water, thus requiring increased flow rates in same-system comparisons with water.

The mixture of ethylene glycol with water provides additional benefits to coolant and antifreeze solutions, such as preventing corrosion and acid degradation, as well as inhibiting the growth of most microbes and fungi. Mixtures of ethylene glycol and water are sometimes informally referred to in industry as glycol concentrates, compounds, mixtures, or solutions.

So the cooling liquid you suggested may have a slightly decreased heat capacity (due to the 30% concentration where Alphacool uses 4.2% propylene glycol), but as in our PC watercooling systems this might only be noticed in extreme situations, probably neglectible. Anyway with a minor flow increase you should be able to compensate.

Keep in mind that ethylene glycol is poisonous whereas propylene glycol is not.