· Prep · Leak testing without risking hardware
Leak testing without risking hardware
4 steps · 24 hr·Beginner-safe·Updated Jan 2026
A leak test is not a formality you perform on a finished build. It is a staged process designed so that the first time water meets your loop, nothing electrical is powered and nothing expensive is underneath it.
Steps
You'll need
Distilled water · 1 gal
PSU jumper or external pump
Paper towel or white cloth
Torch or phone light
Small mirror for blind joints
Step 01 of 4
Jumper the PSU so only the pump runs
Use a jumper on the 24-pin connector, green to any black, or an external pump supply. Disconnect power from the motherboard, GPU and drives entirely.
Why this matters
The pump is the only thing that needs to run. Anything else powered during a leak test is a component you are volunteering to lose.
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