What to Look for in PC Water Cooling Parts
There’s a lot to unpack in this category, so here are some guiding points to consider when choosing the right parts:
- Water Block Components: The central cooling focus, typically installed on a GPU or CPU.
- Tubing: Do you want flexible tubing or hard tubing for your build?
- Pumps and Reservoirs: These help move the liquid through the system for optimal cooling performance.
- Fittings: Ensure that everything connects together securely and efficiently.
- Full Kits: An easy way to get started with one purchase for a complete setup.
Not sure where to start? Try our dedicated Custom Cooling Configurator to design your own custom loop with full compatibility checks and recommendations.
Is Custom Water or Liquid Cooling Worth It?
In today’s PC building landscape, there’s a lot of talk of all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling components—and there’s a lot of convenience on tap if that’s the route you want to go. But if your PC needs are a little more specific (i.e. you have an unusual build or very unique component layouts), then custom water cooling can really help you dial in the thermal performance that makes sense for your build. Buying water cooling components in parts can also help to ensure that you aren’t overspending on full kits when you don’t need all the components. Be sure to consult all manufacturer documentation before going fully custom, though, as it will take time and know-how to assemble the system correctly. But once it’s dialed in, these designs can really be things of beauty.