Specialtech Closed?

[Filby83]

The whole hobby is a big expense and unneeded. you can be happy playing on a standard OEM CPU cooler and mid range GPU.

Most want pc gaming at console prices so anything above and beyond what's needed people just wont buy.

Im lucky to have a little cash and just wanted to have a go at water cooling, the biggest problem being the 92 mm fans on modern GPU's being so loud on full load, that alone made me want to go water cooling.

and as above the fittings prices are stupid i just ordered 4 Bitspower Highflow Barbs and 4 Rotary Highflow barbs and that was £55, if you go compression or have a big system you could easy spend well over £100 on what are in essence just pipe connectors.

 

[Deshman]

As one of the (now ex) forum moderators I'm incredibly sad to see Specialtech go, I relied on them for nearly all my watercooling supplies and they were without a doubt the most friendly and helpful cooling supplier I've ever dealt with.

I guess it's back to dealing with WCUK

 

[SuB]

This is gutting, I'm not up to speed with what's happened at Frozen CPU either

I can't believe specialtech have shut their doors before the likes of WCUK... they always went above and beyond for their customers..

totally gutted

 

[Warchild]

SpecialTech's most recent financial filings highlighted growing liabilities, reported at nearly £330,000 representing a 14.44% increase year-on-year. With only £185,000 in assets and £9,130 in cash according to documents published by DueDil, it seems that the enthusiast business is getting increasingly tough for smaller businesses.

Taken from Bit-Tech. Seems they also had a 70% sale which failed to save them.

 

[Seanwoolley]

This is gutting, I'm not up to speed with what's happened at Frozen CPU either

I think they closed down in a random way, apparently they just shut shop without saying anything or closing the site so you can still order as far as I am aware. I have heard a lot of rumours one of which was that the owner was at the time fighting an addiction and then fired everyone. No idea what the truth is maybe someone can shed some light as I am interested in that also.

 

[seanzx7r]

so where can we go now is there any recommendation ??

 

[RickPlaysWarr]

so where can we go now is there any recommendation ??

Hi

In the states I have ordered from here http://www.performance-pcs.com/

I used to order a lot from FrozenCPU, and am holding off till everything is ok.

--Rick--

 

[hmmblah]

Sidewinder Computers is another place I've used for watercooling gear. They do ship worldwide too, but I imagine shipping costs are high.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/

 

[Filby83]

http://www.highflow.nl/

Do a really good bitspower Range of fittings

 

[SieB]

There is still good old Aquatuning as well

http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/water-cooling/

 

[nippinpippin]

Wow, what a shock.
I have been a customer of Specialtech for my years and they were always my 1st point of call if I needed anything. Like other posters, I always found their service 2nd to none here in the UK.
I do agree with some, custom water cooling builds are becoming a lot less mainstream and necessary and are more just an aesthetic part of a build, especially with the rise of good AIO's and cooler more efficient components.
I myself run custom loops in both my systems but it's more to do with the fact I like the whole process of planning, building and the look of a custom built WCooled system.
Unfortunately, gone are the days of needing a good WCing setup if you wanted decent OCing or keeping a rig silent, but that's progress for you.
I wish all the best to the Specialtech guys in their future endeavours.

 

[XANADV]

Just read this piece. Damn, first FrozenCPU now this. 2015 is shaping up to be a sad year indeed.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

that is a real shame. they were alway my first point of call when it was time to score some gear. a real shame.

 

[G-Dubs]

Really sad to see them go. It was Ayd at Specialtech who gave me my first break in reviewing, so they will always occupy a special place in my heart.
A big thank you to all the guys and girls for all the work and support they've put into the industry. A sad loss indeed.

 

[rocfusion]

So whats happening? Where are they going wrong? Given that global predictions for the gaming market as such are rising exponentially you would think it would be a safe bet to be in this business. FrozenCPU and Specialtech should have been benefiting from this. Obviously the PC market has been hit hard by all things Apple\Android. Hopefully Windows 10 can restore some of the ground lost.

 

[Warchild]

So whats happening? Where are they going wrong? Given that global predictions for the gaming market as such are rising exponentially you would think it would be a safe bet to be in this business. FrozenCPU and Specialtech should have been benefiting from this. Obviously the PC market has been hit hard by all things Apple\Android. Hopefully Windows 10 can restore some of the ground lost.

GPU coolers are improving, AIO coolers are exploding in terms of sales. Custom water cooling prices are not falling in anyway, if anything they are rising.

Take the average price of a bitspower rotary in UK and you are looking at £12 or so. Multiply this and add standard fittings etc and you can easily spend upwards of £150. Add the blocks on top of this and for the same cost you could buy a second AIB GPU and/or AIO cooler.

 

[rocfusion]

Given the higher price less people are buying. So effectively water cooling will become an hobby for only those who can afford.

 

[stampedeadam]

Top end air coolers and AIOs are getting better and chips are getting cooler. I've still never seen my CPU temp go above 80 deg C even when I'm putting squeaky bum voltages through it - voltages I'd never consider running daily (1.4v+). I run 1.32v every day and the temps don't even get to 70deg using OCCT for an hour.

So apart from the looks - what's the point of the expense and hassle?

 

[Mysterae]

It is a shame SpecialTech have closed, used them a few times but AquaTuning became my primary source mainly due to having most of everything I needed in stock and their great service.

The collateral damage from SpecialTech closing is all that information on their forum is now gone, especially the info on setting up Aquacomputer gear.

There's still a scene for water cooling and therefore a market, but we do need to see something new.

 

[RadeonHDx]

Damn, I've been stalking a lot recently but this is something that I feel obliged to comment on. They were a pretty big retailer and their forums were really helpful to me when I was looking at watercooling last year. I have always bought off them and I hope the watercooling community doesn't see anymore closures like this in the near future.

What a shame.