Computer Cooling System Parts & Accessories Price Comparison 2026
Compare 523 computer cooling system parts from Alphacool, Corsair & EK Water Blocks. Find the best price on radiators, fittings, water blocks and more.
Custom loop cooling is one of those rabbit holes that starts with a single radiator fitting and ends with a full hardline build that cost more than the GPU itself. We've tracked 523 products across this category — from a 4 £ compression fitting to a 164 £ premium water block — and the spread tells you everything about how wide this market really is.
Alphacool dominates by sheer volume, with over 100 references and a competitive average price that makes it the go-to for builders who want solid performance without the EK Water Blocks premium. Speaking of which, EK sits at the top of the average price table, and for good reason: their water blocks and fan modules are consistently among the most thermally efficient on the market. Corsair occupies an interesting middle ground — their iCUE ecosystem locks you in, but the integration between fans, pumps, and software is genuinely seamless if you're already invested in that world.
What's worth noting is how the category splits into two very different buyer profiles. On one side, you have enthusiasts piecing together a custom loop component by component — fittings, tubing, reservoirs, pumps — where brands like XSPC and Bitspower offer excellent value at the lower end of the price range. On the other, there are upgraders looking for a specific replacement part or an add-on for an existing all-in-one or custom cooling system. These buyers often overpay simply because they don't compare across retailers — which is exactly where checking prices before committing makes a real difference.
Noctua deserves a special mention: with 43 products averaging around 10 £, they punch well above their weight on acoustics and longevity. Their fans are the benchmark for silent operation, and their build quality is the reason they carry some of the longest warranties in the business. If noise levels matter to you — and in a home office or living room build, they really should — Noctua is rarely the wrong answer.
One thing to watch: compatibility. A radiator or water block that doesn't fit your socket or case is money wasted. Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM5 are the current mainstream sockets, but older AM4 and LGA1200 systems still represent a huge installed base. Always cross-reference socket support before buying, especially for case-specific parts where clearance can be tight. For thermal interface materials to complete your build, our heat sink compounds category is worth a look too.
How to Choose Computer Cooling System Parts
With prices ranging from 4 £ for a basic fitting to well over 53 £ for a high-end water block, the cooling parts market rewards those who know exactly what they need — and punishes impulse buyers. Before you spend anything, it's worth understanding which component actually limits your thermal performance right now.
Custom loop vs. AIO upgrade parts
This is the first fork in the road. If you're adding to an existing AIO (all-in-one) cooler, you're likely looking for a replacement fan, a mounting bracket, or a display module — relatively affordable parts that don't require any plumbing. Custom loop builders, on the other hand, need to think in systems: radiator, pump, reservoir, water block, fittings, and tubing all need to work together. Mixing copper and aluminium components in the same loop, for instance, causes galvanic corrosion over time — a mistake that's easy to avoid but expensive to fix.
Radiator size and thermal headroom
Radiator thickness and surface area directly determine how much heat your loop can shed. A 240mm radiator is the minimum for a CPU-only loop; add a GPU water block and you'll want 360mm or more. The Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 is a 60mm-thick high-performance option — that extra depth versus a standard 30mm rad makes a measurable difference under sustained load. If your case only supports a 240mm top mount, don't try to squeeze a 360mm in — thermal throttling is preferable to a botched installation.
Socket and GPU compatibility
A water block that doesn't fit is worthless. Intel LGA1700 (12th/13th/14th gen) and AMD AM5 are the current mainstream sockets, but AM4 remains hugely popular. GPU blocks are even more specific — they're designed for exact PCB revisions of specific cards, so a block listed for an RTX 4080 Founders Edition won't fit a third-party AIB version. Always verify the exact model number, not just the GPU family. EK and Alphacool both maintain detailed compatibility databases on their websites.
Flow rate and loop pressure
This matters most when you're building or expanding a custom loop. A restrictive water block or a poorly matched pump can starve the loop of flow, negating the thermal advantage of expensive components. Look for flow rate specs (typically 50–300 L/h) and ensure your pump can overcome the combined restriction of all blocks and fittings in the loop. Bitspower and XSPC fittings are generally low-restriction; some GPU blocks with complex microfin structures add significant resistance.
Fan control and ecosystem integration
Corsair's iCUE Link system hub is a genuinely clever solution — it daisy-chains fans and cooling components over a single cable, reducing clutter and enabling granular software control. The catch: it only works with iCUE-compatible hardware. If you're not already in the Corsair ecosystem, the lock-in cost is real. PWM control via standard 4-pin headers remains the universal, ecosystem-agnostic option and works with any motherboard. For serious noise management, pairing PWM fans with a dedicated fan speed controller gives you hardware-level control independent of software.
Build materials and fluid compatibility
Copper offers the best thermal conductivity and is the standard for water blocks and radiators. Aluminium is cheaper but reacts with copper in the presence of water — never mix the two in a loop without proper inhibitors. Acrylic (PMMA) reservoirs look great but are brittle; POM (Delrin) is tougher and more chemical-resistant. Whatever fluid you use — distilled water with inhibitors, or a pre-mixed coolant — check it's compatible with every material in your loop. Coloured coolants look spectacular but can stain tubing and clog microfins over time; clear coolant with a UV dye is a safer long-term choice.
- Entry-level parts & fittings (From 4 £ to 10 £) : Fittings, small adapters, filling bottles, and basic fan accessories. Brands like XSPC, Alphacool, and Akasa dominate here. Good quality for the price, but don't expect premium finishes or tight tolerances. Ideal for expanding an existing loop with standard G1/4 fittings or replacing a failed component without breaking the bank.
- The sweet spot (From 10 £ to 30 £) : Where most sensible builds live. Noctua fans, Corsair iCUE hubs, Alphacool radiators, and Bitspower fittings all sit in this range. You're getting genuine performance and build quality without paying the EK or Phanteks premium. This is the range we'd recommend for first-time custom loop builders.
- Performance components (From 30 £ to 53 £) : High-performance radiators (Alphacool NexXxoS UT60), EK backplates, Corsair XR5 radiators, and premium fan modules. At this level, the thermal performance gains are real and measurable. Worth it for overclocked systems or anyone running a GPU in the loop alongside the CPU.
- Flagship water blocks & specialist parts (Over 53 £) : EK Water Blocks fan modules, ASUS ROG Ryujin III water blocks, and Phanteks premium components. These are for enthusiasts who've already optimised everything else and want the last few degrees. The ASUS ROG Ryujin III WB in particular is a statement piece as much as a thermal solution. Hard to justify unless you're pushing serious overclocks or building a showcase system.
Top products
- Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Heatsink (Alphacool) : The 60mm thickness makes this one of the highest-performing radiators in the category — genuinely excellent for overclocked builds. Overkill for a stock-clocked CPU loop, but if you're pushing TDPs above 200W, the thermal headroom is worth every penny.
- Corsair iCUE LINK System Hub Fan controller (Corsair) : The best argument for going all-in on the Corsair ecosystem. Cable management becomes genuinely tidy and the software control is polished. Useless if you own non-iCUE hardware — don't buy this as a standalone upgrade.
- Alphacool 17470 computer cooling system part/accessory Fitting (Alphacool) : At this price point, Alphacool fittings offer solid G1/4 compatibility and reliable tolerances for soft-tubing loops. Not the premium option, but a sensible choice when you need to buy a dozen fittings without spending a fortune.
- Corsair XR5 240 NEO Radiatior (Corsair) : A well-built 240mm radiator that sits comfortably in the performance mid-range. Good fin density and copper construction make it a reliable choice for a CPU-only loop. Not as thick as the Alphacool UT60, but easier to fit in tighter cases.
- ASUS ROG RYUJIN III WB Water block (ASUS) : A flagship water block that's as much about aesthetics as thermal performance — the integrated display is a genuine talking point. Hard to justify unless you're building a showcase system or running extreme overclocks. At this price, EK offers comparable thermal performance for less.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a water block and a heatsink in a custom loop?
A water block replaces the traditional heatsink and transfers heat from the CPU or GPU directly into liquid coolant flowing through it, rather than into the surrounding air. Heatsinks dissipate heat passively (or with a fan) into the air; water blocks rely on a pump, radiator, and fan setup to move that heat out of the case. Water blocks are significantly more effective under sustained load, particularly for high-TDP processors above 150W, but they require a complete liquid cooling loop to function.
Can I mix Alphacool and EK Water Blocks components in the same loop?
Yes, in most cases — both brands use the industry-standard G1/4 thread for fittings, so they're physically compatible. The real concern is material compatibility: ensure all your blocks and radiators use the same base metal (ideally copper throughout) and use a coolant with corrosion inhibitors. Mixing copper and aluminium components in the same loop will cause galvanic corrosion within months, regardless of brand. Stick to one metal family and you'll be fine mixing brands freely.
Is the Corsair iCUE Link ecosystem worth the investment if I'm starting from scratch?
It depends entirely on how much you value cable management and software integration. The iCUE Link system hub genuinely reduces wiring complexity and the software control is polished — but every component must be iCUE-compatible, which limits your options and typically costs more than equivalent PWM alternatives. If you're building a clean, Corsair-themed system and plan to stay in that ecosystem, it's a solid choice. If you want flexibility to mix brands or prefer hardware-level control, standard PWM fans and a dedicated fan speed controller will serve you better at lower cost.
What radiator size do I actually need for a CPU-only custom loop?
A 240mm radiator is the practical minimum for a CPU-only loop, and it works well for processors up to around 125W TDP. For anything above that — particularly Intel's 13th and 14th gen chips that can spike well beyond 150W — a 360mm radiator gives you meaningful thermal headroom and allows fans to run slower (and quieter) at the same temperatures. Adding a GPU to the loop? Budget for at least 360mm, ideally 480mm or two separate radiators.
Are cheap cooling fittings worth buying, or is it a false economy?
Cheap fittings are a false economy in a pressurised liquid loop. A £2–3 fitting that leaks onto a £500 GPU is not a saving. That said, reputable budget brands like XSPC offer G1/4 fittings at low prices with perfectly acceptable tolerances for a standard soft-tubing loop. Where we'd avoid cutting corners is on compression fittings for hardline tubing — the tolerances matter more there, and a poorly machined fitting can crack acrylic or PETG tubing under pressure. Spend a little more on fittings from Bitspower or Alphacool for hardline builds.
How often does a custom water cooling loop need maintenance?
A well-built custom loop with quality inhibitors typically needs a full drain, flush, and refill every 12–18 months. Clear coolant with UV dye can go longer; coloured coolants tend to degrade faster and can leave deposits in microfin water blocks. Check for discolouration or cloudiness every few months — that's a sign of biological growth or corrosion starting. Algae inhibitors (biocides) in your coolant mix significantly extend service intervals. AIO coolers, by contrast, are sealed and maintenance-free for their rated lifespan.
Which brands offer the best warranty on cooling components in the UK?
Noctua leads the field with a 6-year warranty on their fans — exceptional for the category and a genuine indicator of build confidence. EK Water Blocks offers 2 years on most components, Corsair typically 2–5 years depending on the product line. Alphacool's warranty varies by product but is generally 2 years. For UK buyers, it's also worth checking whether the retailer (Currys, Amazon.co.uk, Scan, Overclockers UK) offers extended cover, as manufacturer warranties must comply with UK consumer rights legislation regardless of what's printed on the box.