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USAFRet

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I want to make a custom loop with copper tubes
Where I can find them;
If you are in the US, any big box hardware store has copper pipe in various sizes
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The question is, how are you goung to bend it and make the connections?
 

Azzyasi

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Jan 24, 2011
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If you are asking where to find copper tubes (any hardware store at plumbing section), maybe it's not for you.

Bending the tubes is the easier and safer method with the right bending tool
The alternative is using copper fittings (that add up rapidly to higher cost), and need do be soldered. You need plumbing torch, acid core solder, some flux paste, some wirebrushes to clean the fitting and the end of the copper tube. If inexperienced in soldering you can get leaks in the joints. Keep in mind the soldering part of the fitting can't be done in place! You need a plumbing torch to heat the pipe up to 300 degrees Celsius to melt solder so don't do this inside the case.

Also keep in mind either system will be rigid and can't be removed/installed in parts, it's mostly the whole system that must fit as a whole.
Break-up points can be added with threaded connectors but bear in mind they are bulky.
Connecting waterblocks to copper tubes is kind of tricky. Compression fittings are for precise diameter tubing like 12mm or 16mm outside, while copper plumbing tubing is rarely that precise and mostly imperial 1/2in inside with whatever outside thickness, or 3/8. So you might end up either flaring/machining the copper tube to make it work with standard fittings, or soldering the barbs to the copper pipe.

Then the galvanic corrosion in theory is a point of concern but really you run distilled water with some anti-freeze like agent that inhibits galvanic corrosion.. it's mostly a myth given all liquid coolings use a suitable fluid.

Would say it is possible, might be easy for skilled plumbers, not recommeded if you want to retain modularity. You can't just swap components, or motherboards. everything is fixed on those dimensions.. any change in gpu position means unsoldering fittings, redoing plumbing in that area.

Beware it's DiY intensive.. Why not go with standard pc watercooling hardubing of your choice for that easy to use modularity?
 
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