online vendors for custom water cooling?

[captainthrall]

Hi, I'm a water cooling noob. I've only used AIO closed loop chip coolers up to this point... but... I'm thinking about trying one of the cool custom-made water cooling setups.

I saw this video:

...and I really like the looks of the components. He used Bitspower brand tubing, reservoirs, connectors, etc. Unfortunately, I can't find their products on most standard PC component megavendor websites like Newegg. The few sites I've found that carry the products sell them at exuberant prices. We're talking like $15 for a single screw.

My question is simply, can anyone recommend some good, inexpensive, trustworthy websites to find custom water cooling products? Thanks!


A list of the components used in the setup that I liked:

CPU Block – Bitspower CPU Block Summit EF (Intel) (Brass Top Version) – BP-WBCPUIBA-CUSLSL
GPU Blocks – Bitspower VG-NGTX980ADIIS Acrylic Top With Stainless Panel (Clear) – BP-WBVGNGTX980ADIISNPAC
Radiators – Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 240mm and 260mm
Pump Combo – Bitspower D5 MOD Package (Clear Acrylic TOP S + MOD Kit V2 Bule) – BP-D5TMACSV2-CLBL
Pump Top – Dual / Single D5 Top Upgrade Kit 150 (Clear Acrylic Cap) – BP-D5TOPUK150AC-CLCL
Pump – Standard D5
Res mount for radiator – 120 Water Tank Mount Panel (RAD Side) – BP-120WTMP-BK
Coolant – Thermaltake C1000 Blue
Fans – Thermaltake Riing white Fans
Tube – Bitspower 12mm PETG

Fittings – Bitspower:
G1/4″ Deluxe White Q-Rotary IG1/4″X3 Extender x1
G1/4″ Deluxe White Rotary 90-Degree IG1/4″ Extender x3
G1/4″ Deluxe White Rotary 45-Degree IG1/4″ Extender x1
G1/4″ Deluxe White Mini Dual G1/4″ Extender x1
G1/4″ Deluxe White Low-Profile Stop Fitting x14
G1/4″ Deluxe White Multi-Link Adapter x12
Deluxe White Mini Valve With Black Handle x1

 

[ATMINSIDE]

You'll find most of it at Performance PCs

 

[Dlaw]

You're not going to find those fittings much cheaper than $10/$15 each, I'm sorry to say. Though, I bet you've already figured that out by now.

Good luck with your first loop.

 

[captainthrall]

Thank you for recommending the Performance PC website. Out of curiosity, I mentally configured a water-cooling system and threw the necessary parts into a shopping cart. A fairly standard setup includes a pump, reservoir, a couple of radiators, cpu block, gpu block, half a dozen tubes, about a dozen rotary fittings, a few stopper screws... and the price came to........ wait for it....................

$1017.81 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That doesn't even include the pretty liquid!

If I could build a WC system for under $400, I might consider it... but $1000 is ridiculous. Especially considering the fact that I would get better performance out of a simple $100 AIO unit. It would be fun to play around with and it would look great... but for $1000? nah, I'm good.

 

[EarthDog]

What the hell did you build that costs $1000, LOL!? Half dozen tubes (you going acrylic? I would assume not, so I would get $10' of tubing for $20)? Stopper screws? Why so many rotary fittings?

You should be able to get things around $400-$500 pretty easily.

Especially considering the fact that I would get better performance out of a simple $100 AIO unit.

Not versus a $1000 custom loop... (or even a $400-500 one)

For example:

2 rads = $136
Pump = $80
10' of Tubing = $25
8 fittings = $36
CPU block = $60
GTX 1080 block (for reference 1080) = $125

That is $462 without shipping. You still need a silver kill coil and biocide. Water can be found in a gallon jug for 99 cents. That is plenty to cool any CPU and any single GPU. You can even add in another GPU to that loop and be fine. Truth be told, if its just a single 1080 and CPU, get a 4x120mm radiator if your case can handle one.. that will save ~$50. I wouldn't add another GPU to that loop, but it's plenty to handle a CPU/GPU of your choice with notably better than air temps.

EDIT: I forgot fans... since you have no need for $20 fans... grab (6) of these Yate Loons. I have rocked them for YEARS.. push a fair amount of air and quiet!

 

[sobe]

If you happen to see this and order tonight, coupon code 4JULY16-10 for 10% off. It does end tonight though...

No idea if it is still active, but years back they had a promo code with Overclockers that was OCN55, no idea if there is an amount needed to use the code or not though.

 

[captainthrall]

I threw in plenty of things just to make sure I got a high-ball estimate. This is what I had in my cart:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/blac...tealth-u-flow-low-profile-radiator-white.html - $60
http://www.performance-pcs.com/aquacomputer-airplex-radical-2-240-aluminum-fins.html - $85
http://www.performance-pcs.com/ek-fc1080-gtx-nickel.html -$126
http://www.performance-pcs.com/new-...ummit-ef-intel-black-acrylic-top-version.html - $75
http://www.performance-pcs.com/d5-photon-270-reservoir-pump-combo.html - $180
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-g1-4-carbon-black-stop-fitting.html x3 - $15
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-bp-mvv-cbbk-mini-valve-carbon-black-with-black-handle.html - $29
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ance-multi-link-for-acrylic-tube-od-12mm.html - $10
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ugh-hole-fitting-set-carbon-black-finish.html x4 - $40
http://www.performance-pcs.com/tygon-e-3603-1-4-id-3-8-od-clear-tubing.html x5 - $8
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ree-compression-fitting-id-3-8-od-1-2-v3.html x14 -$391

I know it's overkill, but I wanted to make sure I had absolutely everything I needed. Plus I chose higher-end components that look pretty. I could probably cut out a few of the rotary fittings, stop fittings, etc and whittle my cart down, but even then... I'm looking at $800ish

The idea was:
pump/reservoir --> front radiator --> pcu block --> top radiator --> gpu block --> pump/reservoir

Every time a hose goes in or out of something, it has to have one of those compression fitting thingies. Plus I figured I'd use an extra one for an out-flow valve below the reservoir so I could drain the gunk.

I'm slightly heart-broken about not being able to build such a cool project, but the cost/benefit ratio is just a huge black hole.

edit: oh yeah, and I'm good on fans. I have a few laying around... plus the case I bought comes with 5 stock http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-E1-1236-K0

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Wait, did I read correctly that you added 144 rotary 90° fittings?!?!?!

 

[Lochekey]

You can get parts of of Amazon as well. Have you considered barbs instead of compression fittings?

Have you read the stickies on water cooling, if not I suggest you start there. As others have said you can build a good system That looks decent for around 400-500. If you want to try and create something that is show worthy you will pay through the noise for it though. It comes down to if you are paying more than 500 for cooling your setup your parts are either overkill or you are paying just for looks.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Okay, another question, why are you paying $28/ea on the fittings? That's absolutely ridiculous. There are other options on the same site for almost a third of that!

 

[captainthrall]

Wait, did I read correctly that you added 144 rotary 90° fittings?!?!?!

ahah, yeah that was a type-o. Thanks for the heads-up man. Even 14 is overkill. I think my theoretical build would actually need 11.

You can get parts of of Amazon as well. Have you considered barbs instead of compression fittings?

Have you read the stickies on water cooling, if not I suggest you start there. As others have said you can build a good system That looks decent for around 400-500. If you want to try and create something that is show worthy you will pay through the noise for it though. It comes down to if you are paying more than 500 for cooling your setup your parts are either overkill or you are paying just for looks.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out the stickies... and yeah, you're absolutely right. More than anything else, it's just a vanity project. I could definitely choose barbs and lower-end pumps/radiators/etc to drastically reduce my costs. But it wouldn't be as pretty!

At this point it's highly unlikely that I'll do any kind of custom water cooling. I would love to, but like I said... the cost/benefit ratio is a black hole. At the moment I'm leaning towards stock case-fan cooling and a kraken x-61

 

[EarthDog]

I threw in plenty of things just to make sure I got a high-ball estimate. This is what I had in my cart:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/blac...tealth-u-flow-low-profile-radiator-white.html - $60
http://www.performance-pcs.com/aquacomputer-airplex-radical-2-240-aluminum-fins.html - $85
http://www.performance-pcs.com/ek-fc1080-gtx-nickel.html -$126
http://www.performance-pcs.com/new-...ummit-ef-intel-black-acrylic-top-version.html - $75
http://www.performance-pcs.com/d5-photon-270-reservoir-pump-combo.html - $180
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-g1-4-carbon-black-stop-fitting.html x3 - $15
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bitspower-bp-mvv-cbbk-mini-valve-carbon-black-with-black-handle.html - $29
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ance-multi-link-for-acrylic-tube-od-12mm.html - $10
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ugh-hole-fitting-set-carbon-black-finish.html x4 - $40
http://www.performance-pcs.com/tygon-e-3603-1-4-id-3-8-od-clear-tubing.html x5 - $8
http://www.performance-pcs.com/bits...ree-compression-fitting-id-3-8-od-1-2-v3.html x14 -$391

I know it's overkill, but I wanted to make sure I had absolutely everything I needed. Plus I chose higher-end components that look pretty. I could probably cut out a few of the rotary fittings, stop fittings, etc and whittle my cart down, but even then... I'm looking at $800ish

The idea was:
pump/reservoir --> front radiator --> pcu block --> top radiator --> gpu block --> pump/reservoir

Every time a hose goes in or out of something, it has to have one of those compression fitting thingies. Plus I figured I'd use an extra one for an out-flow valve below the reservoir so I could drain the gunk.

I'm slightly heart-broken about not being able to build such a cool project, but the cost/benefit ratio is just a huge black hole.

edit: oh yeah, and I'm good on fans. I have a few laying around... plus the case I bought comes with 5 stock http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-E1-1236-K0

Im not clicking on 10 links to see what they are.

Loop order doesn't matter outside of having the res before the pump. A properly 'radded' and flowing loop will have 1-2C temperature difference inside the loop.

Not sure about this "use an extra one for an out-flow valve below the reservoir so I could drain the gunk".. its point. you can get a T line and put it at the lowest point for draining the loop. No gunk if you use the right liquid.

You would really want the fans to match.. so hopefully those you have 'laying around' are the same... I am not concerned with the case fans... I am talking radiator fans.

 

[Lochekey]

Have you considered something like the ekwb predator. It is a decent aio that can be expanded with extra rads and blocks down the road.

 

[captainthrall]

Thank you very much for the advice everyone. I'd love to play around with a custom WC setup at some point in the future, but for now it's just too expensive.

I bought a Kraken x61 instead.