Hard Tubing vs Soft Tubing: Which is better?

Building a custom cooled PC can be a large undertaking. It's harder to verify clearances and compatibility, it's a way longer process compared to simply using an AIO or air cooler, and it's significantly more expensive.

After figuring out whether you even want to build a custom cooled PC, there are a few different points at which you'll you'll have to make critical decisions. How many radiators? Do you want to include the SSD or even the motherboard in the loop? And, of course, the subject of this page: Are you going to go with hardline tubing, or soft flexible tubing? Let's help you out with that last part.

For those who are ready to take their PC-building skills to the next level by getting into custom liquid cooling but are hesitant due to the complexity of the process, soft tubing is the ideal choice.

Soft tubing is typically made of flexible PVC or other silicone-based materials. It is easier to work with and more forgiving when it comes to tight bends, especially in tight spaces and corners, where it'll require you to be more creative with your loop designs. Since soft tubes are more flexible, you will be able to manipulate them with ease during the installation process, making them ideal for intricate custom water-cooling setups in PCs.

Additionally, soft tubing is often preferred by first-time custom liquid builders because it doesn't require special tools to bend the tubes the way you want them. You simply cut the tubing to the desired length and bend it by hand. Soft tubing is also more budget-friendly than its hard tubing counterpart, plus it is low maintenance, making it less prone to unintended breakage.

The one thing worth noting when using soft tubing is the possibility of the tubes kinking when running them in tight angles or shapes. To avoid kinks, make sure to measure and cut the tubes to the right length for the specific run. You don't want them too short or too long, just enough from point A to point B. Also, even though soft tubing is really easy to bend, be sure to bend them carefully and slowly, especially around tight turns, so they don't collapse.

CORSAIR offers two types of soft tubing: clear and braided. The clear tubing is made from flexible PVC material, allowing for easy tight bends inside your PC and ensuring longevity to run your chosen coolant for years. The braided or mesh version of the tubes is made of EDPM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). These tubes are not only maintenance-free, but because of the added mesh wrapped around the tube, they provide a unique and rugged aesthetic to your loop, unlike the clear version, which can deteriorate or be damaged with prolonged exposure to UV and turn yellow.

All right, let's say you're up for the challenge and ready to dive into the art of custom liquid cooling. If you want your build to be as epic as possible aesthetically, then opting for the hardline tubing build is the way to go.

Building a custom liquid-cooled PC with hard tubing requires a certain level of commitment because it takes twice as much time and effort as using soft tubing. Although it is more time-consuming, the sense of accomplishment upon completing the build is incredibly rewarding.

Most of the hardline tubing you see on the market is usually made of acrylic and PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol. However, the most popular material among enthusiasts is polymethyl methacrylate, also known as PMMA. Using any of the tubes mentioned can help you build a sophisticated and high-end aesthetic look, especially when paired with creative runs and intricate bends and angles. But as mentioned, hardline tubing requires a higher level of precision and patience, as well as the need for specialized tools, such as the CORSAIR Hydro X Series XT Hardline Bending Toolkit, to ensure accurate cutting and bending. This CORSAIR bending tool kit includes all the necessary tools to help you get started in the process.

CORSAIR offers PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) tubing instead of PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol) tubing. This choice is due to the fact that PETG is much softer and prone to deformation when exposed to high temperatures. This deformation could potentially cause leaks in a liquid-cooled PC over time.

CORSAIR has two size options, 12mm and 14mm. The 12mm tube is ideal for compact builds with limited space to run loops, making it a practical choice for smaller setups. On the other hand, the 14mm tube is better suited for builds where space is not a limitation, allowing for more flexibility during the installation process.

Despite their differences in size, the 12mm and 14mm tubes have the same inner diameter, so liquid flow is consistent regardless of size. One advantage of the 14mm tube is its practicality when it comes to cutting, making it a more user-friendly option for builders.

This guide on how to bend hardline tubing properly can help you get started.

No. This is very important. You cannot use hardline fittings on soft tubing and vice versa. The fittings will not seal properly and your loop will leak.

So, between those two liquid cooling options, which of those two would look better in your build? The answer is there is no correct answer. It will all depend on how you want your build to look and how much time and effort you want to spend, and you have to account for your budget as well.

It is also worth noting that in terms of performance, one is not better than the other: there is no noticeable impact in overall temps across different components when using a hard tube over a soft tube, or verse vica.

Both have their pros and cons, in terms when it comes to price and complexity, but when it comes to temperatures, it won't make any difference.

CORSAIR Hydro X product line offers a wide range of liquid cooling components. From PETG tubing to a variety of radiator sizes to all sorts of fittings, CORSAIR has them all.