Best quick disconnect water cooling fittings for PC

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Liquid cooling has lost a bit of steam since the introduction of high-end cooling fan applications to the PC market. The complexity involving the deployment of these systems also reinforces this reality. The system must allow filling with liquid, making leak tests, as well as drainage. For many, the most appropriate option to perform all these tasks and make its management and maintenance more efficient is by using removable couplings on the hoses. Here we will give you more information about the best quick disconnect water cooling fittings for pc that you can use in your liquid cooling system.

Important considerations before using quick disconnect fittings

The new liquid cooling technology not only contributes to a more efficient cooled system, but it also lengthens the life of the computer with significant perks in terms of performance. Considering that the water is fairly close to the electronics, it is extremely important to ensure that there are no leaks that could affect the functionality of the equipment.

Quick disconnect couplings do not allow leaks, helping to maintain a controlled temperature and a dry environment in even the most sensitive configurations. There are additional considerations before modifying your cooling system with the best quick disconnect water cooling fittings:

Optimal flow preventing pressure drop

Maintaining optimal flow is one of the most critical factors in any liquid cooling system, as the components must generate only a minimal pressure drop, otherwise extra stress will be added to the pumps.

Ideally, use optimized components with the lowest possible pressure drop, even a smaller pump can be used to save both energy and investment costs.

Anti-drip, anti-spill and dry disconnect proof

Water and electronic equipment are usually not a good combination since when they come together they can have extremely serious consequences. So it is always best to work with anti-drip couplings that have been designed for connection and disconnection.

With anti-drip quick couplings it is possible to work with preloaded systems that make replacement in the field considerably faster.

More compact exterior dimensions

The less space you occupy with the electronic installation, the more valuable it will be. Since it is a computer case, it does not come with much space available.

The profit margin for investing in liquid cooling instead of conventional air cooling may be closer than you think, as space is expensive, even in electronic installations.

Long-term reliability

One of the biggest challenges for anti-drip couplings is when they are not used for long periods of time.

Sometimes the seal is compromised and no longer works as well due to lack of use, so there may be leaks, even if the coupling’s expiration date is a long time away.

We advise making sure to test couplings, whether they are used frequently or infrequently, and work with a supplier who has experience in reliable solutions for quick connections.

Compatible materials

We recommend not combining different materials such as heat blocks, tubes and quick couplings made of different materials, as they can cause galvanic corrosion problems.

The quality of the coolant also plays an important role in ensuring the stability of such a system. The coolant must be compatible with the gasket material to ensure long life and reliable, leak-free operation.

The best quick disconnect water cooling fittings for your system

When choosing the best quick disconnect water cooling joints for your PC equipment there are three brands that are the most relevant for the task: Alphacool, Koolance and Bitspower. Currently there are a plethora of suppliers and third party vendors of these brands. It is always advisable to buy directly with the main company branch or an authorized provider to obtain the added benefit of the guarantee or the ability to discuss directly with them in the event of any inconvenience.

Alphacool quick disconnect couplings

Alphacool’s “Eiszapfen” is the new face of the products of this line. They are high quality, high performance joints with features to make your watercooling system much more practical.

These joints are used in any application where modularity, flexibility and cleanliness are the required factors. They are ultra compact with 3/8 “threads on both sides. To use the standard 1/4” thread you need a 3/8 “to 1/4” adapter.

Pulling down on the outer ring causes the quick-connect joints to separate. Both unions have plugs that act immediately there is a disconnection and do not allow the liquid to escape. Thanks to its NDSL technology (No Drip Splash or Leak), the system will be provided with a protection against drips or spills. If the joints are connected an audible “click” will be the signal that a good joint has been made. The system is sealed with a double o-ring that compresses when both sections are joined.

These unions are made to last for years making a reliable and secure connection. The main complaint of users of quick connectors is the loss of pressure in the cooling system. One of the benefits of Alphacool is to maintain a high flow rate at all times.

Alphacools quick couplers has two presentations: Chrome finish and Deep black. Either of the two styles will help you highlight the presence of your team.

Technical Details:

Dimensions (L x D): 88.5 x 28mm
Material: Brass
Color: Deep Black / Chrome
Thread: 2x 3/8″ (internal thread)
What’s included: 1x Alphacool Eiszapfen HF quick release connector kit G3 / 8 inner thread with reducing nipple G1 / 4 – Deep Black

The manufacturer of this product makes a huge disclaimer: avoid the use of “Mayhems fluids” with these couplings. It also advises us not to leave the system dry for too long.

Best quick disconnect water cooling couplings

Koolance quick disconnect couplings

Koolance patented quick disconnect anti spill couplings are designed to last. They feature an automatic shutoff technology to prevent spills when disconnecting. The internal thread diameter is 10mm (3/8″), while the internal cilinder diameter is 16mm (5/8″). The female adapter has straight connection with compression fitting. It will only fit a Koolance QD3 male quick disconnect.

After pulling the ring on the female side, the quick-disconnect fittings will separate. Liquid on both sides will be automatically obstructed with approximately 0.2ml freed. Coolant volume lost upon disconnection will rise with internal pressure higher than 0.5kgf / cm2 (7psi).

Weight: 0.23 lb (0.10 kg)
Materials: Brass, Stainless Steel, EPDM
Max Pressure: @ 25°C 8kgf/cm2 (113.8psi)
Max Temp.: Operating Tolerance 100°C (212°F)

The manufacturer also advises us about the use of nickel and silver in the same system. This must be avoided at all costs to avoid corrosion problems.

Bitspower quick disconnect water cooling fittings

Last but not least in our list is Bitspower Quick Connect Couplings for ID 3/8 “Tube. It features a hi-quality brass material using a quick shutoff technology when disconnected. It also has a durable chromium finish in a silver shining color. Lightweight design and RoHS compliant.

This option is the least preferred among users of liquid cooling systems because of its size. Likewise, the length of the coupling exerts a little twist on the tubes, which is undesired.

Do you really need to refill the liquid coolant?

The answer is: it depends, and it is based on the type of liquid cooling AIO that we have. Most AIO systems are just that, All In One, where the set is hermetic, but the problem is how permeable the materials are.

Manufacturers are increasingly striving to find new materials to avoid the dreaded permeability. This effect causes the cooling liquid to impregnate the pipes, O-rings and sealing materials, whereby its oxygen atoms (among others, depending on the composition) are filtered to the outside, thus freeing space in a chemical process known as volatility.

From a thermodynamics stand point, volatility is the tendency of a substance to go into its vapor state, also known as evaporation. Therefore, the use of a liquid compound with a lower vapor pressure is essential to avoid this effect, while the permeability will largely depend on the type of tube used by the manufacturer.

Temperature also influences this aspect, since under certain degrees a tube can become more flexible. It allows its molecules to take a greater distance from each other, which favors permeability and thus the evaporation of the refrigerant.

Risks of using liquid cooling

The risks that this type of cooling entail for the equipment are basically two, and the first and most obvious is leaks. If a leak occurs, the liquid will escape from the closed circuit and possibly soak up the rest of the PC’s components, which could lead to a real disaster that could potentially spoil all of our components.

This is a fairly low risk, however, because they are systems prepared against leaks. However, there is always the risk that we damage a component or tube of the liquid cooling during installation (by bending a tube too much or hitting the radiator, for example), and also, although they have a great longevity, the tubes have plastic gaskets that can deteriorate with time and heat, bowing and allowing liquid to pass through.

There is also the phenomenon of galvanic corrosion, which is equivalent to the above and which, in the end, will cause the liquid to end up escaping. However we emphasize the fact that this is difficult to happen, and if it happens, it will be because we mishandled the device. Many manufacturers give a 5 year warranty, so it is not something we should worry about in the short term.

Another problem we could face is having pump broken. Unlike air-cooled systems, liquid cooling kit requires a pump pushing the liquid through the circuit, and if at any point it stops, the processor temperature will rise quickly, being able to make it reach its limit and getting fried.