Sir Beregond

Both of my EK blocks from 2015 did. Sample size of one, but doesn't seem to be an isolated incident. That said, some are lucky, some aren't I guess. During the life of those blocks I ran distilled + liquid utopia (came with the tubing), distilled + biocide/inhibitor, and Mayhems X1 clear.

Yes, that is the plan. Am planning to use gold fittings, and I am contemplating grabbing some of that new Mayhems XTR in white. As for fans, not sure if there is anything that matches the gold theme or not that are also good radiator fans. Worst case I'll look for some fan "covers" that add some gold to it. That Phanteks block actually looks pretty nice. I got some of that Kryonaut stashed in my TIM drawer. Was very happy with its performance when I repasted my 980, and did some maintenance work on a small form factor PC that was having overheating issues. Slapped a slightly different cooler on it and used that paste and all was much better. My Optimus block came with a little thing of Kingpin KPx.

Yeah Steam had a sale earlier this week so I managed to get the DLC for Dying Light. Its a fun game, I really enjoy it. Plague Inc. I play in spurts. Couldn't figure out the new Cure mode at all.

Thanks, and yes. I ran out of special fittings to put it where I really wanted it. We'll see if it actually works as a drain there. ? This was a transfer into this case from a smaller case (hence the small rads).

Oh, good call. I thought it was PETG, so I am a dummy. I will just order from that PPCs link...

Yes. I've only ever used soft tubing up till now. Hard tubing is very new to me so it seems I have much to learn. I looked up some fittings and see they don't need barbs like soft tubing, which I guess makes sense. So I guess that answers that question on ID. What are your thoughts on these fittings @Avacado? Still the Bykski, but does it not use the same o-ring? This is more the color I was looking for. https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/fittings-connectors/bykski-rigid-16mm-od-fitting-v2-gold-b-htjv2-l16-b-htjv2-l16-g.html Where-as the gold on those others look more orange. https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/fittings-connectors/bykski-anti-off-rigid-16mm-od-fitting-gold-b-fthtj-l16-g.html This is my current rig (pic is missing some fans)for reference on color:

Does ID not matter for the fittings like they do with soft tubing? This is what I saw. Noticed it was the same non-champher you had mentioned, just different ID: https://www.microcenter.com/product/486954/bitspower-1-2-(13-mm)-x-5-8-(16-mm)-non-champher-crystal-link-rigid-tubing-20-in---clear

Looks great! Definitely looking forward to seeing the rest. I've only owned two EK blocks over my decade of watercooling and on both the plating failed spectacularly. Was using distilled water + biocide/inhibitor or distilled water + liquid utopia that came with my tubing during most of its life. It's kinda steered me away from EK. Have you ever had any issues? Noticed I'll have to be careful. Thought I found some of the Bitspower PETG locally at my Micro Center as it was 16mm OD, but then noticed it was 13mm ID whereas what you linked was 12mm ID. ?

Cool I tend to air on the side of the bigger tubing then.

Wow, this is incredibly helpful, thank you. I was thinking PETG to start out with as well, being a noob to hardline. Not really sure on size. Is there any advantages/disadvantages to the different options, or is it just looks? I do have a heatgun I bought from Harbor Freight years ago when I was trying my hand at sleeving. Also have a bicycle pump. This toolkit list is extremely helpful, thank you. Thanks for the fittings recommendation. Wish their gold fittings were a bit of a different shade (less orange), but that's ok. I'm all about forgiving o-rings this first go around.

For sure. Will be doing so when ready.

My Optimus block came in today. Also have my Alphacool 3070 block. Now just need to get radiators, fans, fittings, and tubing. Does anyone have any recommendations for how to learn how to do hardline?

Valheim does look interesting. I'll have to check that out.

7 Days to Die - Had been playing on a server for the first time since Alpha 15 (2016). Server is dying a bit though as Alpha 20 is likely to drop soon which means wipe. Dying Light - Hack n slash zombies. Sometimes just in the mood for that. I agree that Dyson Sphere game looks interesting.

Yep! Was going back and forth between just the copper vs the nickel plated and ultimately went with the nickel. Hope it holds up better than my EK blocks did as the plating on those were shockingly poor.

I was supposed to receive my Optimus AM4 block today, but seems USPS is being dumb and sent it east from Chicago area instead of sending it to Denver. Checked tracking earlier and it is sitting in Massachusetts. So I am thinking will get it next week instead.

Very similar size and layouts, but a bit different too. The Zotac is slightly longer, presumably to accommodate the 2x 8-pins. Also seems to have some bits not on the FE board. That said, happy to have a smaller card. The rediculosuly long/tall AIB cards that have come out on some models like the FTW3 and Strix would not even fit in my case. Zotac Twin Edge OC 3070: Founder's Edition 3070:

Cool deal! I got this one for my Zotac 3070. Didn't realize how small this card was. Smaller than my 980. https://www.alphacool.com/shop/grafikkarten-wasserkuehler/nvidia-fullsize/28518/alphacool-eisblock-aurora-acryl-gpx-n-rtx-3070-gaming-twin-edge-mit-backplate?c=20590

What's the problem? I don't see a problem... ?

Didn't even know Office Depot sold CPUs.

Oh that's good to know. I don't know anything about Bykski and wasn't sure if they were any good.

Dang E, very sorry to see that. Nothing more disappointing to see then a broken product when you have been waiting eons for it. I also got an Alphacool block for my 3070 and it was a pre-order. I got it last week and checked and it looked good. But on the shop's site, still listed as pre-order so don't think they are getting more than what they have orders outstanding for currently. Bykski was the other brand that made a block for my card, but their block won't ship till like end of April. Plus just feel a little weary of a Chinese brand like that. Not sure about their nickel plating, and other things like that.

I got my 5600X for the $299. Honestly I was aiming for a 5900X just because I plan to have the system long term. That said, as a gamer, for now the 5600X is all I need and the 5800X is a bad price in my opinion. Definitely the worst value in the lineup. I may just wait and see if Zen 3 gets refreshed down the line like 1 and 2 did.