Water Cooling Project: Looking For HQ Metal Tubing

[the_matrix_guy]

Hey, I'm building a rig in a Maingear Vybe, using their Apex pump/reservoir. Unfortunately, they don't offer their metal tubing and fittings as stand alone. I was wondering if anyone knew which OEM they use. Or if anyone knows of similar high-quality metal tubing and fittings. I have seen some of the pre-bent tubing offers, but they still seem a bit thin, compared to Maingear's. Essentially, I'm trying to copy their $9,000 boutique build for a fraction of the cost. Which BTW, their cases are absolutely phenomenal. The Vybe is built by Lian Li and it's a superb mid-tower case. I'm very happy with it. I have the red case and I'm going with white coolant, just like this F131 here, except in a Vybe chassis:







Any idea?

Thanks for looking,

TMG

[the_matrix_guy]

Basically this, exactly, except my case is red, and I want metal tubing like the F131 above. These fittings below are BitsPower, right?

[Seajay]

More than likely they aren't metal and just painted

I've seen a build like this with hardline that was painted. Came out great. I've seen it done both in plastic hardline and copper.

Yes, those are bitspower fittings.

[the_matrix_guy]

More than likely they aren't metal and just painted

I've seen a build like this with hardline that was painted. Came out great. I've seen it done both in plastic hardline and copper.

Yes, those are bitspower fittings.

No, they're 100% metal. Metal hard tubing is totally a thing. Most of the water cooling OEM's even offer the pipes pre-bent for you, and you just cut them accordingly. I posted on Reddit, it seems like the pipes could be Bitpower as well though.

[Seajay]

No, they're 100% metal. Metal hard tubing is totally a thing. Most of the water cooling OEM's even offer the pipes pre-bent for you, and you just cut them accordingly. I posted on Reddit, it seems like the pipes could be Bitpower as well though.

Ah you are right. Alphacool makes some chrome plated brass pipes.

[chrislognshot]

will give tip from two of people i follow on facebook and local store do not do water cooling unless you can handle the issue come with them. also sucks when i get new computer built will have to have one do to fact of one video card for editing and one for playing games will heat up inside and how much my house to warm in summer

[Seajay]

Case airflow affects the temps the most. If you are having heat issues you need more case airflow .
Water helps just move the heat to a better managed outlet, but it is still there.

[the_matrix_guy]

It's generally safe, you just can't be a dummy. For one, testing the loop properly after your initial installation is paramount. Firstly, you can't have your main components hooked up to the PSU, in case you have a leak or spill. Also, you install a drain port and flow meter, to make your life much easier down the road. You just can't be a dummy, thats all. But there are fail-saves for every step of the way. Once your system is properly installed, and your loop is working, the chances of a leak or spill are very slim, (given that you have quality components installed properly).

That being said, i do it mostly for the aesthetic and the lower noise level. The performance gains are negligible, especially with the 3000 series Nvidias and the AMD Ryzens, They come pretty topped out out of the box. Overclockability is pretty limited.