fittings help

[katiekitsune]

so im planning my watercooling loop (a project for 2016) and i was wondering if i should use barbs or compression fittings. im using 3/8-5/8 tubing and ek fittings in a fractal design define S non-windowed case. the loop will consist of a cpu block, gpu block, pump/res combo unit, 420mm rad, and a 280mm rad. with the barbs (and ek hose clamps) i can save $26.80 over the compression fittings. am i going to lose anything if i go with the barbs and are the ek hose clamps any good?

[Benji_w]

so im planning my watercooling loop (a project for 2016) and i was wondering if i should use barbs or compression fittings. im using 3/8-5/8 tubing and ek fittings in a fractal design define S non-windowed case. the loop will consist of a cpu block, gpu block, pump/res combo unit, 420mm rad, and a 280mm rad. with the barbs (and ek hose clamps) i can save $26.80 over the compression fittings. am i going to lose anything if i go with the barbs and are the ek hose clamps any good?

 

You'll be fine with barbs but make sure you buy some 90 degree and 45 degree fittings.

[W-L]

so im planning my watercooling loop (a project for 2016) and i was wondering if i should use barbs or compression fittings. im using 3/8-5/8 tubing and ek fittings in a fractal design define S non-windowed case. the loop will consist of a cpu block, gpu block, pump/res combo unit, 420mm rad, and a 280mm rad. with the barbs (and ek hose clamps) i can save $26.80 over the compression fittings. am i going to lose anything if i go with the barbs and are the ek hose clamps any good?

 

Compressions are mainly for looks but give less work or hassle to deal with clamps or ties to hold the tubing into place. In the long run when you break down the loop to do maintenance or change things in the loop it will be worth the extra money for compressions, with just less hassle.

[katiekitsune]

You'll be fine with barbs but make sure you buy some 90 degree and 45 degree fittings.

where would i need those?

[Benji_w]

where would i need those?

 

For tight bends etc, barbs only offer straight runs unless you really want to risk kinks in your tubing. Trust me, you'll want 90s and 45s.

 

[katiekitsune]

just an extra question that might belong more on the air cooling forum but whatever, if i put a fan in the top front fan mount would it interfere with the air flow of the forward most fan of the 420mm rad?

[katiekitsune]

i mocked up the loop with where i think the angles should be (the 90 coming off the top of the cpu block could be a 45 if that would make more sense and im not sure i need a 45 at the res inlet from the 280). does this look good or does this need some revision? 

[W-L]

just an extra question that might belong more on the air cooling forum but whatever, if i put a fan in the top front fan mount would it interfere with the air flow of the forward most fan of the 420mm rad?

 

The extra fan at the top shouldn't be any problem as long as you can fit it. 

 

As for the angled fittings if your wanting to go for as straight as tubing as possible that setup looks like it will work, I personally like to have curves in all my tubing for soft line.

[katiekitsune]

The extra fan at the top shouldn't be any problem as long as you can fit it. 

 

As for the angled fittings if your wanting to go for as straight as tubing as possible that setup looks like it will work, I personally like to have curves in all my tubing for soft line.

its not going to be seen most of the time so it doesnt matter that its neat but straight runs are easier to measure and aren't going to get kinked. i will probably go with the compression fittings since im not going to be able to put in a flush line in and i dont want to risk barbs stretching out the tubing from repeated maintenance.