First Watercooling Loop

Quick Disconnects

Quick disconnects are fittings that make your life so much easier. In a normal loop you have no way to take a part out without draining and disassembling the loop. Quick disconnects allow you to remove a part easily from the loop (while interrupting flow – so power down first). There are a few good ones to choose from (the Koolance QD3 series and Swiftech ones are both good) with different options as to whether you can attach them to tubing or blocks/rads. The Koolance ones are longer and thinner, while the Swiftech are shorter and fatter.

They do increase restriction though and more pricey than regular fittings so you can’t use them everywhere. Having a pair on a radiator makes it easier to take the radiator out of the case for dust cleaning. Having a pair on your motherboard allows you to take the whole motherboard out more easily.

They are not necessary, but you will appreciate them when you take everything apart.