Fitting Type and Size Explained

Types of Water Cooling Fittings

There are several different types of water cooling fittings, each designed for specific purposes and setups. The most common types are:

• Compression Fittings: These fittings consist of two parts: the fitting itself and a compression ring or collar. The tube slides over the fitting, and the compression ring is then screwed down to secure it in place. Compression fittings provide a clean, sleek look and are popular for both soft and hard tubing.
• Barbed Fittings: Barbed fittings are simple and secure. The fitting has a barb (or ridge) that the tube slides over, and the tube is held in place either by the barb itself or with a clamp. These fittings are easy to install and provide a solid connection for soft tubing but may not look as sleek as compression fittings.
• Rotary Fittings: These are used to add flexibility to your loop by allowing parts of the loop to rotate. This is especially useful when working in tight spaces or connecting components at awkward angles. Rotary fittings often come as adapters to give greater maneuverability.
• Angled Fittings: These fittings come in 45-degree or 90-degree angles to help route tubes in tighter spaces or around obstacles in your case. They are useful for reducing tubing kinks and ensuring a clean, organized build.
• Quick Disconnect Fittings: These allow parts of the loop to be disconnected and reconnected without needing to drain the entire system. They are commonly used for setups where components need to be swapped out or moved regularly, such as in a test bench.

Sizing of Water Cooling Fittings

Fittings come in different sizes, and it is essential to choose fittings that are compatible with your tubing to ensure a secure, leak-free connection. Fittings are generally measured in terms of both the outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID) of the tubing they are designed to work with.

• Common Fitting Sizes: The most common sizes for fittings correspond to the diameter of the tubes used in water cooling systems. For soft tubing, the most popular sizes are 3/8" ID (inner diameter) x 1/2" OD, 7/16" ID x 5/8" OD, and 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD. Hard tubing fittings are typically measured in millimeters, with popular sizes being 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm OD.
• G1/4 Thread: Nearly all modern water cooling fittings use a G1/4 thread, which is the standard thread size for fittings in PC water cooling. This threading ensures compatibility across different water cooling components, regardless of the brand. When choosing fittings, ensure they use G1/4 threading to match your components like radiators and water blocks.

Choosing the Right Fittings

Choosing the correct fitting size is crucial for both performance and aesthetics. If you're using soft tubing, you'll want to focus on fittings that match the inner and outer diameter of your tubing. For hard tubing, only the outer diameter matters since hard tubes don't flex like soft ones. Additionally, compression fittings provide a cleaner look, while barbed fittings are often more budget-friendly but may require extra clamps for security.

Beyond size, material and design are important considerations. Brass and nickel-plated fittings are popular due to their durability and corrosion resistance, while plastic fittings tend to be less durable.

For aesthetics, fittings come in various finishes, including black, chrome, matte, or even colored versions, to match the overall design of your build. Ultimately, proper fittings ensure that your water-cooling loop is reliable, leak-free, and visually appealing.