Best bang for buck custom loop brands?

[IrshaadH]

Hey all,

 

Out of curiosity, I priced out a custom loop using only EKWB (only brand I'm currently familiar with) and was astonished to see it come up to almost $1000! Now, that's with a pump/reservoir combo, 2 rads, CPU and GPU blocks along with all the necessary fittings and fans. Is this reasonable? Are there cheaper/better options out there?

 

Thanks

[DoctorNick]

4 minutes ago, IrshaadH said:

Hey all,

 

Out of curiosity, I priced out a custom loop using only EKWB (only brand I'm currently familiar with) and was astonished to see it come up to almost $1000! Now, that's with a pump/reservoir combo, 2 rads, CPU and GPU blocks along with all the necessary fittings and fans. Is this reasonable? Are there cheaper/better options out there?

 

Thanks

You may be able to get it cheaper if you mix brands and buy on other sites than EKWB and if you check different water cooling brands, you will discover that they all take almost the same price for the most important components, such as blocks rads etc.

[For Science!]

28 minutes ago, IrshaadH said:

Hey all,

 

Out of curiosity, I priced out a custom loop using only EKWB (only brand I'm currently familiar with) and was astonished to see it come up to almost $1000! Now, that's with a pump/reservoir combo, 2 rads, CPU and GPU blocks along with all the necessary fittings and fans. Is this reasonable? Are there cheaper/better options out there?

 

Thanks

Bykski/Barrow would be "as cheap as I would personally be comfortable recommending" 

[Touch My Hamm]

Do people still use https://www.frozencpu.com/. I used to use them back when I had to purchase rad/fittings. I reuse most of my stuff since rads never really need to be replaced unless it breaks lol. and tubes I can buy anywhere. 

[Mick Naughty]

Sounds like your getting the fancy stuff. 
Plenty of cheaper options. Gotta check the market. Performancepc is a good site. 
The new “Corsair” line up seems like a good choice. I prefer my stuff matches logo or atleast color wise. 

[Dumathoinn]

4 hours ago, IrshaadH said:

Hey all,

 

Out of curiosity, I priced out a custom loop using only EKWB (only brand I'm currently familiar with) and was astonished to see it come up to almost $1000! Now, that's with a pump/reservoir combo, 2 rads, CPU and GPU blocks along with all the necessary fittings and fans. Is this reasonable? Are there cheaper/better options out there?

 

Thanks

That's about right I just did one for about 1100 in total for cooling. Thing is custom cards that require custom blocks are expensive, and when you are already dropping money in cooling and getting really cheap stuff is pointless. You will have cleaning issues forever. So do it right, take the hit to the pocket book once if you think your rig is with cooling.

[IrshaadH]

11 minutes ago, Dumathoinn said:

That's about right I just did one for about 1100 in total for cooling. Thing is custom cards that require custom blocks are expensive, and when you are already dropping money in cooling and getting really cheap stuff is pointless. You will have cleaning issues forever. So do it right, take the hit to the pocket book once if you think your rig is with cooling.

Appreciate your insight man. I figure, if I do it, I might build it up gradually. Start with the CPU and one rad and work my way up as I upgrade different components.

[Ravendarat]

I used a ton of Bykski fittings in my loop, many different types and each one has been great so far, nothing leaks and everything holds tight with good tolerances, been up and running for about 8 months

 

[andrewmp6]

Bykski and barrow are great budget brands and live up to ek standards.A friend of mine has a Bykski vega 64 nitro block,It runs cooler then a blower card with a ek block.That alone impressed me since that nitro runs faster and hotter then a blower card does.