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Hardline Vs. Soft Tubing Pros & Cons

ddbtkd456
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I am trying to decide if I want to do my two builds in soft tubing or hard tubing...enlighten me what are the pros and cons.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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Hardline is harder to work with and more expensive but looks better than soft tubing. Pretty much the only key differences.

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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Hardline is harder to work with and more expensive but looks better than soft tubing. Pretty much the only key differences.

 

It takes more time from what I've seen....damn this is a hard choice....

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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It takes more time from what I've seen....damn this is a hard choice....

What case are you getting? Hardline tubing isn't worth it IMO. You can make soft tubing look pretty good.

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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What case are you getting? Hardline tubing isn't worth it IMO. You can make soft tubing look pretty good.

 

Phanteks Primo & Phanteks Luxe. I actually switched it last night because of the functionality of the case. I was originally going to go for a 900D but read some QC concerns about it.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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Phanteks Primo & Phanteks Luxe. I actually switched it last night because of the functionality of the case. I was originally going to go for a 900D but read some QC concerns about it.

To be honest, If you plan your loop right, with the window on the case, you could almost have the affect of straight tubing. 

 

Think about it like this.

Get a compression fitting to compression fitting at a 90 degree angle and put it under the GPU. Then the tubing will come straight up to the GPU and the fitting will be hidden beneath the windows view.. Then bend the soft tubing towards the CPU. Then have it go form the CPU block to a 45 degree fitting on the right of the top rad. Would look good IMO.

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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To be honest, If you plan your loop right, with the window on the case, you could almost have the affect of straight tubing. 

 

Think about it like this.

Get a compression fitting to compression fitting at a 90 degree angle and put it under the GPU. Then the tubing will come straight up to the GPU and the fitting will be hidden beneath the windows view.. Then bend the soft tubing towards the CPU. Then have it go form the CPU block to a 45 degree fitting on the right of the top rad. Would look good IMO.

 

I like that idea actually...it should be pretty easy. I think soft tubing is the way to go with it...still tho its not hard tubing  <_<  but thats okay.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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I like that idea actually...it should be pretty easy. I think soft tubing is the way to go with it...still tho its not hard tubing  <_<  but thats okay.

I don't think hardline would look good in that case anyway. 

The way I think of it is that if you buy caselabs then hardline tubing is a must almost.

If you buy anything but case labs then just get soft tubing.

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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gXae7oYl.jpg

 

I think it looks pretty damn good.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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In the end, it kinda comes down to your preference.  Soft tubing is easier to work with, and I prefer the soft curves over the 'industrial' look of hard tubing.  Check out @Akula latest build to see what you can accomplish with soft tubing and the right loop setup: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/73352-project-armada-watercooled-define-r4-titanium-ek-waterblocks-completed-final-photos/

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In the end, it kinda comes down to your preference.  Soft tubing is easier to work with, and I prefer the soft curves over the 'industrial' look of hard tubing.  Check out @Akula latest build to see what you can accomplish with soft tubing and the right loop setup: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/73352-project-armada-watercooled-define-r4-titanium-ek-waterblocks-completed-final-photos/

 

Sigh...thats a work of art...it'll be hard to do anything like that.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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Hardline is harder to work with and more expensive but looks better than soft tubing. Pretty much the only key differences.

 

 

At times fittings for hardline tubing is much cheaper, so it evens out for the most part.

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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At times fittings for hardline tubing is much cheaper, so it evens out for the most part.

Well with the heat gun, extra tubing for mistakes and G1/4 riser things, I think it would be more expensive. 

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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Well with the heat gun, extra tubing for mistakes and G1/4 riser things, I think it would be more expensive. 

 

 

The heatguns are like $10-20, fittings are like 25$ for 4-6 fittings.  In my new build it was cheaper to get acrylic + the accessories than to use compressions+ soft tubing

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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Well with the heat gun, extra tubing for mistakes and G1/4 riser things, I think it would be more expensive. 

 

Yea....just 80 dollars tho...for an entire kit that includes benders, heat gun and all that stuff. Then you have the paste.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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The heatguns are like $10-20, fittings are like 25$ for 4-6 fittings.  In my new build it was cheaper to get acrylic + the accessories than to use compressions+ soft tubing

That is weird. Always though it would be more expensive...

PC: 4770K @ 4.0 GHz --- Maximus VI Hero --- 8 GB 2133 MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro --- EVGA 780 TI Classified @ 1300 MHz --- Samsung Evo 250 GB --- Corsair RM 750 --- Corsair Carbide Air 540 --- CM Storm Rapid-I (MX Blues with PMK Evergreen Keycaps) --- Windows XP --- Razer Naga --- Custom Loop Parts: 380I, EKWB 780 Classy Waterblock and Backplate, 240mm and 360mm XT45, Swiftech MCP655, EKWB multi option reservoir, Mayhems Pastel Red, Primochill Primoflex Advanced Clear Tubing, 5 SP 120 Quiet Editions --- Mobile: Surface Pro 3 (i5 128gb) with JD40 (MX Clears) and Microsoft Sculpt Mouse --- Galaxy S6

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That is weird. Always though it would be more expensive...

 

You can buy like 30 feet of acrylic PETG as well and it's only like $20, so if you make mistakes its NBD.  I was surprised it was cheaper as well

Stuff:  i7 7700k @ (dat nibba succ) | ASRock Z170M OC Formula | G.Skill TridentZ 3600 c16 | EKWB 1080 @ 2100 mhz  |  Acer X34 Predator | R4 | EVGA 1000 P2 | 1080mm Radiator Custom Loop | HD800 + Audio-GD NFB-11 | 850 Evo 1TB | 840 Pro 256GB | 3TB WD Blue | 2TB Barracuda

Hwbot: http://hwbot.org/user/lays/ 

FireStrike 980 ti @ 1800 Mhz http://hwbot.org/submission/3183338 http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11574089

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You can buy like 30 feet of acrylic PETG as well and it's only like $20, so if you make mistakes its NBD.  I was surprised it was cheaper as well

 

As far as I could tell the only thing that was different was the method and the time it took to build one. I ran a PcPartPicker on both soft/hard tubing and they came out within 100 dollars of each other.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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ive heard plasticizers are bad for loops, idk my first and only build was with hardline.

 

CPU i7 3770K@4.6Ghz Motherboard  Asus Maximus V Extreme Ram 4x4GB Corsair Dominator Platinum @ 1866Mhz GPU 3-Way Sli EVGA Gtx 780 //Core@1.2Ghz/Mem@7Ghz// PSU Corsair Ax1200i Storage OS 2xSamsung 840 Pro 128GB // 2xOCZ Vertex 4 128GB // 2xWD Red 4TB Keyboard Corsair K70 Mouse Steelseries Xai Cooling Custom Dual Loop Case Corsair 900D
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I prefer straight, parallel lines, it's totally a preference, makes no difference in performance.

 

Shameless self promotion :P

 

To each their own, although I won't dare say that build is unaesthetic  ^_^

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