Custom loop parts supplier

[SilentTalon]

Okay with plan in head I am trying to search parts to make a parts list and could use advice. 

Browsing I keep seeing EK and Thermaltake as options and not much else. I could get everything I would include in the loop from EK with one or two RGB components except fans. Thermaltakes site looks a bit more takky to me but seems like i could get everything there as well plus the fans.

Now i know experiences will be different but which supplier might be the better choice. Also if there is other suppliers that just get suppressed in google and bing search put them forward as well please. I am thinking 1080 Ti Full block and Intel i8700 for asus z230 E combo block that does cpu and a bit of mobo.

[W-L]

13 minutes ago, SilentTalon said:

Okay with plan in head I am trying to search parts to make a parts list and could use advice. 

Browsing I keep seeing EK and Thermaltake as options and not much else. I could get everything I would include in the loop from EK with one or two RGB components except fans. Thermaltakes site looks a bit more takky to me but seems like i could get everything there as well plus the fans.

Now i know experiences will be different but which supplier might be the better choice. Also if there is other suppliers that just get suppressed in google and bing search put them forward as well please. I am thinking 1080 Ti Full block and Intel i8700 for asus z230 E combo block that does cpu and a bit of mobo.

EKWB would be one of your best options for GPU blocks, make sure you get one that is specifically compatible with your model and serial number. As for brands for water cooling Thermaltake is not well regarded for their components in custom watercooling, good options are EKWB, Bitspower, Hardware Labs, Heatkiller, XSPC to name a few. 

 

https://www.ekwb.com/configurator/

[SilentTalon]

Thanks having the names really helps now they come up at least. One last question, is it normal to try and stick to one company or do most people get blocks from one and fittings from another?

 

Having a first browse I liked a flow control from bitspower for its minimalist design much more than thermaltakes.

 

Also judging I rarely see them but I like the idea of having a temp sensor and flow indicator do people use them or is it overrated.

[W-L]

43 minutes ago, SilentTalon said:

Thanks having the names really helps now they come up at least. One last question, is it normal to try and stick to one company or do most people get blocks from one and fittings from another?

 

Having a first browse I liked a flow control from bitspower for its minimalist design much more than thermaltakes.

 

Also judging I rarely see them but I like the idea of having a temp sensor and flow indicator do people use them or is it overrated.

It’s up to you which brands you choose and what fits the look your going for. Flow and temp indicators are a nice touch but aren’t a requirement when assembling a loop.

[Lathlaer]

Keep in mind if you are watching techtubers videos like LTT/Jayz/Bitwit/etc. that some of their choices are dictated by the sponsors who wanted to be featured in the video. It's not necessarily indicative of what they would use themselves but you can't expect them paying $700-800 every time they want to feature a custom loop in their videos.

 

Sometimes they reach out to suppliers and say what they want but sometimes they just get what they get and use it.

 

That being said, a custom loop made out of entirely one company's product are kinda rare. Many people use Alphacool or EKWB radiators but they don't usually go out of their way to use EKWB fittings - most prefer Bitspower, for instance.

 

Fitting choice is much more important when you are doing hardline though because of compatibility issues.

 

 

[SilentTalon]

24 minutes ago, Lathlaer said:

Keep in mind if you are watching techtubers videos like LTT/Jayz/Bitwit/etc. that some of their choices are dictated by the sponsors who wanted to be featured in the video. It's not necessarily indicative of what they would use themselves but you can't expect them paying $700-800 every time they want to feature a custom loop in their videos.

 

Sometimes they reach out to suppliers and say what they want but sometimes they just get what they get and use it.

 

That being said, a custom loop made out of entirely one company's product are kinda rare. Many people use Alphacool or EKWB radiators but they don't usually go out of their way to use EKWB fittings - most prefer Bitspower, for instance.

 

Fitting choice is much more important when you are doing hardline though because of compatibility issues.

 

 

I was thinking PETG hardline even if its more difficult to do even more for a first time build, I was planning tons of extra pipe to have practice bits. Possibly looking at the set from thermaltake with the 45° 90 ° cutter and chamfer bit to help. Good tools make a good product.

 

Why is the fitting choice much more important. I know I need Hardline Compression fittings since the ones for soft would not work for a good seal. What is the other bit to watch out for?

 

[Lathlaer]

1 hour ago, SilentTalon said:

Why is the fitting choice much more important. I know I need Hardline Compression fittings since the ones for soft would not work for a good seal. What is the other bit to watch out for?

To not mix imperials and metric when pairing tubing with fitting. Actually, for the least amount of headache it's advisable to use the same brand of tubing and fitting (if possible). If not, stick at least to the same measurement method.