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**Exploring Custom Water Cooling Components: A Deep Dive into Alpha Cool's Offerings**
**Introduction**
The world of custom water cooling is a realm where precision meets passion, and at Computex 2018, we had the opportunity to explore some cutting-edge products from Alpha Cool. Known for their high-quality water cooling components, Alpha Cool offers a variety of parts that cater to both enthusiasts and professionals. In this article, we'll walk through the key components discussed in the video, highlighting their features, benefits, and design considerations.
**Reservoirs: The Heart of the System**
Alpha Cool's reservoir collection is extensive, with each piece crafted from solid copper, ensuring durability and quality. The weight of these reservoirs is notable, a testament to their robust construction. During the visit, the focus was on the "helix" reservoir, which combines functionality with aesthetics. Its sleek design, featuring a black cap with blue interior accents, complements the water cooling theme while allowing for two separate loops, enhancing both performance and visual appeal.
**Pumps and Pump Reservoir Combos: Powering the System**
When it comes to pumps, Alpha Cool offers a range of options. The video explores the Defiant variant DDC pump, which, despite being slightly noisier, is chosen for its reliability. Additionally, soft tubing was selected for flexibility and durability, with semi-opaque tubing adding a refractive effect that enhances the RGB LED setup in the build.
The discussion also touches on combo units, highlighting their indestructible nylon reservoir tops. These units integrate pumps and reservoirs seamlessly, offering a functional design that's ideal for high-end systems like the $10,000 Riptide build.
**Tubing: The Lifeline of the Loop**
Alpha Cool offers a variety of tubing options, with semi-opaque tubing chosen for its ability to refract light. This choice complements the RGB LEDs in the system, creating an visually striking effect. While soft tubing is used for flexibility, it's important to consider compatibility with fluids and dye usage.
**Radiators: The Heat Exchangers**
Radiators are crucial for effective cooling, and Alpha Cool provides a wide selection of copper models. Mentioned in the video are 480mm radiators planned for use at the front and top of the system. Notably, a massive 560mm radiator is highlighted, offering exceptional cooling capabilities despite its size.
**Quick Disconnects: Convenience Meets Functionality**
Alpha Cool's quick disconnects are designed for durability, made entirely from copper without spring mechanisms to ensure reliability. These connectors simplify maintenance and upgrading, allowing easy removal of components like CPU water blocks without complicating the process.
**Distractions: Exploring Other Builds**
The video takes a moment to appreciate other builds, showcasing EC Customs' attention to detail, particularly their cabling work. This section emphasizes the importance of aesthetics in custom builds, with Alpha Cool's industrial design complementing the build's functionality and style.
**SSD Water Blocks: Cooling for All Components**
Alpha Cool extends water cooling benefits to SSDs with their sleek blocks. While performance gains are uncertain, these blocks offer a stylish solution for enthusiasts looking to cool all components uniformly.
**Riser Cards: Expanding System Potential**
The discussion transitions to riser cards, essential for systems requiring additional PCIe slots. Alpha Cool's passively cooled riser card is highlighted for its design and compatibility, addressing the need for a second M.2 slot in the build.
**Future Upgrades: Enhancing Performance**
Looking ahead, Alpha Cool is developing dedicated blocks for Threadripper CPUs, promising future upgrades that would enhance cooling efficiency further.
**Conclusion**
Alpha Cool's contribution to custom water cooling is significant, offering components that blend aesthetics with functionality. From reservoirs and pumps to radiators and quick disconnects, each part plays a crucial role in building a high-performance system. As the enthusiast community continues to push boundaries, Alpha Cool remains at the forefront, providing innovative solutions for even the most demanding builds.
This article captures the essence of the video, detailing each component's role in creating a custom water-cooled system, reflecting both technical expertise and creative passion.