Want to attempt a custom loop for my next PC: Some questions

[Ninabird]

What do I need other than radiators, water block, distribution plate, fittings, coolant, reservor? Is a monoblock necessary?

 

Is it okay to mix and match different brands? Like alphacool radiators and corsair gpu block?

 

Are tubes from all brands the same diameter?

 

What is better aluminum or copper?

 

 

[jaslion]

Mixing and matching is totally fine just DO NOT MIX METALS.

 

Diameters are standardized so just get the right ones.

 

You are really over complicating your loop with a plate tho. All you really need is pump, reservoir, rad, block and fittings. Coolant distilled water does just fine do avoid opaque liquids if you don't want to clean your loop a lot.

[Tristerin]

Mixing metals is just fine, if you follow the science (I only own mixed metal loops, fun fact AIO's are 99% of the time aluminum rad, copper block and use the correct #science to stop corrosion).  If you dont research you shouldnt mix metals

 

Not all tubing is the same, and not all liquids are the same.  Do your research on PET, PETG, etc its been a while for me but I go uber cheap on my custom loops so I cant remember the details

 

Mixing and matching anything is okay, if you know what you are mixing and matching (and the science behind what you need to do to be able to mix/match or not)

 

Tubing is ID/OD based, depending on the fitting (pagoda/barb, compression, etc) will depend on the size of tube you need.

 

Aluminum is far cheaper, but does have a lower heat transfer capability.

 

You need:

Pump

Blocks

Tubing

Radiators

Fittings (unless you get blocks and rads and pump already with them preinstalled)

The rest is extras if you want them

 

 

Also me - I will never do another custom loop again, because they are to high maintenance for me in terms of TIME I have available to do any maintenance.  Love my loops, hate having to dedicate as much time as I do to cleaning them and maintaining them (which isnt often tbh) but it is what it is.  Ill be switching back to AIO/air for future builds (have already started that trend in 2021 lol)

 

[Freakwise]

Monoblock is only necessary if you want to also cool your vrm and happens that there's company let's say ek make a monoblock for the specific model of motherboard you own,

 

Also don't quote me on this but, I don't think you need reservoir if you already have a distribution block...

Also i only know some distribution block for a some type of case mainly lian li dynamic pc-o11

[Guest]

Doing a custom loop? Full copper waterblock. It'll be totally worth the money. 

 

Pump to CPU/GPU, the rest doesn't matter. 

Over-kill radiator surface area is great for keeping fan rpm and noise low.

Good Luck!

[Ninabird]

10 hours ago, Tristerin said:

Mixing metals is just fine, if you follow the science (I only own mixed metal loops, fun fact AIO's are 99% of the time aluminum rad, copper block and use the correct #science to stop corrosion).  If you dont research you shouldnt mix metals

 

Not all tubing is the same, and not all liquids are the same.  Do your research on PET, PETG, etc its been a while for me but I go uber cheap on my custom loops so I cant remember the details

 

Mixing and matching anything is okay, if you know what you are mixing and matching (and the science behind what you need to do to be able to mix/match or not)

 

Tubing is ID/OD based, depending on the fitting (pagoda/barb, compression, etc) will depend on the size of tube you need.

 

Aluminum is far cheaper, but does have a lower heat transfer capability.

 

You need:

Pump

Blocks

Tubing

Radiators

Fittings (unless you get blocks and rads and pump already with them preinstalled)

The rest is extras if you want them

 

 

Also me - I will never do another custom loop again, because they are to high maintenance for me in terms of TIME I have available to do any maintenance.  Love my loops, hate having to dedicate as much time as I do to cleaning them and maintaining them (which isnt often tbh) but it is what it is.  Ill be switching back to AIO/air for future builds (have already started that trend in 2021 lol)

 

How often do you have to clean the loop

[Ninabird]

10 hours ago, jaslion said:

Mixing and matching is totally fine just DO NOT MIX METALS.

 

Diameters are standardized so just get the right ones.

 

You are really over complicating your loop with a plate tho. All you really need is pump, reservoir, rad, block and fittings. Coolant distilled water does just fine do avoid opaque liquids if you don't want to clean your loop a lot.

Okay if I decide to do it I'll just skip the plate 

[Ninabird]

2 hours ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Doing a custom loop? Full copper waterblock. It'll be totally worth the money. 

 

Pump to CPU/GPU, the rest doesn't matter. 

Over-kill radiator surface area is great for keeping fan rpm and noise low.

Good Luck!

Thanks 

[Ninabird]

10 hours ago, Liam danu said:

Monoblock is only necessary if you want to also cool your vrm and happens that there's company let's say ek make a monoblock for the specific model of motherboard you own,

 

Also don't quote me on this but, I don't think you need reservoir if you already have a distribution block...

Also i only know some distribution block for a some type of case mainly lian li dynamic pc-o11

Okay good to know 

[Damascus]

22 hours ago, Ninabird said:

How often do you have to clean the loop

Ignore the mixed metal advice.  If you get a full copper/brass loop, a decent coolant and some low maintenance tube a good loop can be used almost indefinitely 

[Ravendarat]

On 4/28/2021 at 6:34 AM, jaslion said:

You are really over complicating your loop with a plate tho. All you really need is pump, reservoir, rad, block and fittings. Coolant distilled water does just fine do avoid opaque liquids if you don't want to clean your loop a lot.

I actually disagree with this part, I find using the ditro plates easier to work with as opposed to snaking tubes from one component to  the next, running everything off a well designed block for your case makes it a breeze. As to the OP question, if you are doing hardline you need a finishing tool to clean the cuts, a tool to cut the tube and a heat gun