What's the best bang for the buck 360 rad?

JohnShepard · September 25, 2019

I'm looking to (Steve voice) dip my toes in to the... water.

Hoping to make an open loop for 9700k and 1080ti, but I don't want to spend more than I need to. Any recommendations on good bang for the buck rads, blocks, fittings and tubes (soft tubing)

Building in o11 dynamic if that matters

SolarNova · September 25, 2019

@JohnShepard

If you really want to keep on a tight budget without going gheto DIY, take a look at Barrow and Bykski parts and kits.

You also have Aluminium parts and kits from the likes of EKWB and such.

Beyond that ur looking at mainstream brand copper loop components.

EK

HWLabs

Alphacool

XSPC

Bitspower

etc

Price difference can be significant. For example in the UK a EKWB CPU blocks can cost around £70-£80, a Bykski or Barrow block is half that.

Similarly with rads. You can spend £70-120 on a HWLabs rad or £40 for a Bykski one.

For fittings u can spend £10-£20 per fitting on Bitspower ones, or £4 each on Barrows that look almost identical.

There is some performance difference, especially with regards to rads, but less so in regards to Blocks, and no difference really between fittings beyond visuals.

JohnnyDiggs · September 26, 2019

You can go Aluminum, but then you have to make sure to not mix copper and aluminum parts. LTT did a video about EK's aluminum line:

Mick Naughty · September 26, 2019

Ali express. And cheap eBay stuff.

Id rather spend for a name brand so it’s still pleasant to look at. No reason going cheap on hoses as it doesn’t cost much at all. Ek matte black hoses are good with any build.

andrewmp6 · September 27, 2019

Depends your budget,If you want max cooling,hardware labs rads and heat killer blocks.If money is tight and want more wallet friendly options.Barrow and bykski both are cheaper and honestly live up to ek standards in cooling.A friend of mine his whole loop is all their parts and spent under 400 for blocks on the cpu the cpu pump res and dual 360 rads.And i was shocked to see a bykski block on his vega nitro run cooler then a bigger brand one on a blower card.