Worth the value?

[blitztech]

I have built a few watercooling systems in the last 3 years since i started to invest time into watercooling. since then i still fail to see the extra cost in compression fittings, they look better to me but thats about it, i love using 1/2" OD barbs with 7/16" or 3/8" hoses (XSPC fittings only) and i have yet to have a leak.

So IYO (in your opinion) what do you think it is better for watercooling?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Depends on the person. Personally i don't like too much fittings showing in the first place but compression is what i would buy. Just makes it seem as if it's higher end.

 

[jamesriley94]

Barbs I think are better for aesthetics and ease or use, but compression fittings were safer.

I think 1/2 barbs with 7/16 tubing is quite a new thing really, and we only had 1/2 tubing before really, meaning you needed clamps on the barbs to keep it on safely.

Since the release of 7/16 tubing however, there hasn't really been a need for compression fittings IMO

 

[maniac]

depends on the person really, if I was building it for me I'd prefer to wait for another salary and get compression fitting than buy barbs. IMO barbs look cheap and compressions make the rig tidier and look more professional.

 

[Remmy]

Compression fittings are safer IMO, and I think they look A LOT nicer than barbs, but that's just me, and I know right now loads of people will just not understand my disliking of barbs but compressions are the only way for me

 

[Bartacus]

As a noob, I bought the "safe" argument and went with compression fittings. Haven't had one leak yet through 2 builds, so I'm kinda sold on em now. I always thought barb clamps looked a bit cheap. Sure agree about the cost though, that TRULY sucks. Especially the angled fittings. I find 45s and 90s to be insanely overpriced.

 

[Remmy]

I always thought barb clamps looked a bit cheap.

People here will just say use 7/16" tubing with 1/2" barbs so they're really nice and tight, and ignore using clamps, I still don't think they look nice though