Plastic Barbs

[Cruiza]

I have the Swiftech MCW-60 GPU block and the MCRES Micro Rev2, both of which come with plastic barbs. Now, I still have to order tubing and a couple other small things, so I'm wondering if I should still buy some metal barbs to use instead of the included plastic barbs. Is plastic really that bad? I know, I know - it's only a couple bucks per barb, but the smaller the total bill, the less my wife will freak out, haha. Thanks!

Oh, and what about for a T-fitting? Plastic ones are so much cheaper!

Also, hurray for typing "Bards" in the title!!

 

[LOWBOY]

IMHO T-line fine in plastic but the barbs I would feel safer using metal barbs. I don't like having plastic threads. The only plastic in my system is the T-line.

 

[BillParrish]

I also prefer the metal ones but mainly its looks and I dont have to worry about cranking down on a clamp and cracking one. On the other hand a lot of plastic ones have thinner walls and flow a bit better, not that it would provide any improvement you could ever measure. I have the plastic on my GPU block too because I was too lazy to run to town at the time. 3 years no problem. So I have told you nothing useful, its your call.

 

[Cruiza]

So I have told you nothing useful

Haha! Well, now that I think about it, I'm not sure the plastic barbs have o-rings. If they don't, I'm definitely gonna go with the metal fittings. Thanks for the replies!

And thanks mod for changing the thread title!

 

[haste]

ive used plastic for the past 5 years without issue.

 

[Imitation]

I've found that plastic is MUCH more difficult to get 7/16 tubing over as opposed to metal barbs. Course the plastic T is by far the worst as you have to hold it in one hand and smash the tubing over the barb with the other. I've got plastic on the cpu, gpu, and 1 of my 2 rads, but i'll probly change them out next time i take my loop apart. My 2 cents

 

[Cruiza]

I've found that plastic is MUCH more difficult to get 7/16 tubing over as opposed to metal barbs. Course the plastic T is by far the worst as you have to hold it in one hand and smash the tubing over the barb with the other. I've got plastic on the cpu, gpu, and 1 of my 2 rads, but i'll probly change them out next time i take my loop apart. My 2 cents

Good to know. Fortunately, I will be using 1/2" ID, so that should be a non-issue for me.

 

[peanutskeeter]

Yeah, i bought a Swiftech water cooling kit a while back and opened the box to find to my surprise all plastic barbs and fitting. I did not trust this so I went and bought all new barbs on top of a new radiator and reservoir. All in all, all I used out of the kit was the hose, pump, and CPU block, lol.