What brands to use?

[InsenerKarl]

Hi.

 

I want to build my first water cooling loop. I know the basics and all but when I looked at the prices for the very reputable brands like EKWB, It made me think do I want a custom loop (I do :D), so here's the question. What are the reputable brands for water cooling and is there a lot of difference if I buy a cheaper CPU block, from some pretty random brand? 

[Cyracus]

Linus did a video where he bought some pretty cheap stuff to put together loops, very entertaining

First video Aliexpress watercooling

Spoiler

 

Watercooling for less than an AIO video, funny

Spoiler

 

 

[Mehmy]

EK, Alphacool, and Swiftech are all mainstream EU/US companies. If you're fine with chinese companies, Bykski is also pretty good, but shipping takes forever.

 

If it's your first loop, you can always try buying a kit with the blocks/rads you want, and you'll be sure everything is there.

 

You can also do what @Cyracus said and just buy full "random" stuff from Aliexpress

[Cyracus]

Just now, Mehmy said:

You can also do what @Cyracus said and just buy full "random" stuff from Aliexpress

Not what I meant, just that there's parts you can cheap out on, there are some decent cpu blocks for $18 on amazon. Linus said himself in the aliexpress video not to cheap out on the pump...

[InsenerKarl]

12 minutes ago, Cyracus said:

Linus did a video where he bought some pretty cheap stuff to put together loops, very entertaining

First video Aliexpress watercooling

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Watercooling for less than an AIO video, funny

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

Yes I saw that video but I don't want this ghetto loop+It's my first time so I wouldn't want that much DIY

[InsenerKarl]

9 minutes ago, Mehmy said:

EK, Alphacool, and Swiftech are all mainstream EU/US companies. If you're fine with chinese companies, Bykski is also pretty good, but shipping takes forever.

 

If it's your first loop, you can always try buying a kit with the blocks/rads you want, and you'll be sure everything is there.

 

You can also do what @Cyracus said and just buy full "random" stuff from Aliexpress

Yep I have been looking at kits

[InsenerKarl]

1 minute ago, InsenerKarl said:

Yes I saw that video but I don't want this ghetto loop+It's my first time so I wouldn't want that much DIY

Oh oops I thought that was the video where he did a loop for like 60 dollars

[Enderman]

Don't get a kit.

If you want a good quality loop you need to buy parts from different brands because some brands make certain things better than others.

You should do some research, and it will take $400+ for a good quality custom loop that isn't a cheap crap that will leak in a year.

[Mehmy]

42 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Don't get a kit.

If you want a good quality loop you need to buy parts from different brands because some brands make certain things better than others.

You should do some research, and it will take $400+ for a good quality custom loop that isn't a cheap crap that will leak in a year.

While some brands make things better than others, there isn't really any of the main brands that straight up suck at one of them. You'll be better off buying from different brands, but a full EK, or full Alphacool loop will still perform just fine

[Enderman]

5 hours ago, Mehmy said:

While some brands make things better than others, there isn't really any of the main brands that straight up suck at one of them. You'll be better off buying from different brands, but a full EK, or full Alphacool loop will still perform just fine

Clearly you haven't seen how many EK fittings leak.

[andrewmp6]

12 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Clearly you haven't seen how many EK fittings leak.

I have seen a few ek fittings leak before.All brand rotary fittings i have seen/heard about leaking tho.

[Mehmy]

15 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Clearly you haven't seen how many EK fittings leak.

Haven't heard of more EK fittings leaking than any other brand.. 

[Enderman]

23 minutes ago, Mehmy said:

Haven't heard of more EK fittings leaking than any other brand.. 

Oh, there are a ton of them that do...

Linus, Jay, and plenty of other people on this forum have had them leak.

 

26 minutes ago, andrewmp6 said:

I have seen a few ek fittings leak before.All brand rotary fittings i have seen/heard about leaking tho.

Not bitspower, not since they had a production issue back in 2012 or whatever which got fixed.

[SolarNova]

8 hours ago, InsenerKarl said:

Hi.

 

I want to build my first water cooling loop. I know the basics and all but when I looked at the prices for the very reputable brands like EKWB, It made me think do I want a custom loop (I do :D), so here's the question. What are the reputable brands for water cooling and is there a lot of difference if I buy a cheaper CPU block, from some pretty random brand? 

Check out Bykski and Barrow.

[andrewmp6]

11 hours ago, Enderman said:

Oh, there are a ton of them that do...

Linus, Jay, and plenty of other people on this forum have had them leak.

 

Not bitspower, not since they had a production issue back in 2012 or whatever which got fixed.

So bitspower rotarys won't leak anymore ?

[Ttnuagmada]

Hardware Labs makes the best radiators.