EKWB: Micro Hard-Tube Compression Fittings for SFF Builds Join the Quantum Family

[VSG]

EK, the premium water cooling gear manufacturer, is expanding the Quantum Torque fittings line with Micro Hard-Tube Compression fittings aimed at SFF builders and use-cases where spacing is an issue. EK-Quantum Torque Micro HDC 12 are premium 12 mm fittings made for solid tubing, such as acrylic, PETG, and brass. A much smaller footprint will allow tube placement in places where a regular fitting would be too large or inconvenient.

It earned the name Micro due to an installed height of only 11.5 mm, which is 23% shorter than standard Torque HDC 12 fittings. The outer diameter of the fitting is also significantly smaller than its bigger brother, with only 16 mm across the fitting. This micro HDC 12 series consists of 5 different models with varying finishes.



They are all CNC machined out of brass with high-quality O-rings for sealing. They come in the following finishes:

• Black Nickel
• Nickel
• Gold
• Satin Titanium
• Black

Since there is no space for conventional knurling, the base of the fitting extends through an opening in the top face where a 6 mm Allen key has to be used to secure it in place. EK recommends the use of the EK-Loop Multi Allen Key for this application. The locking (compression) ring has an o-ring that secures the tube over the base of the fitting and prevents leaks.

Availability and Pricing
The EK-Quantum Torque series Micro HDC 12 fittings are made in Slovenia, Europe, and are available to order through the EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. In the table below, you can see the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) with VAT included.


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[zlobby]

What's next? Micro-soft tube fittings?

 

[mechtech]

I don't always use hard-tubing....................but when I do................it's 316SS SwageLok

plastic is for chumps

 

[MentalAcetylide]

I don't always use hard-tubing....................but when I do................it's 316SS SwageLok

plastic is for chumps

Some just don't like hard-line because it can be a real ball ache to work around. I would guess that many who do opt for hard-line build their own systems. I would be afraid to have something like that built and shipped to me given some of the careless violence inflicted on packages by their handlers.

 

[mechtech]

Some just don't like hard-line because it can be a real ball ache to work around. I would guess that many who do opt for hard-line build their own systems. I would be afraid to have something like that built and shipped to me given some of the careless violence inflicted on packages by their handlers.

Indeed. I avoid liquid cooling like the plague, but if I had to put it in, I would probably use automotive grade rubber heater hose.

 

[mouacyk]

What's next? Micro-soft tube fittings?

That actually makes more sense?!? Hard tubes don't bend, these micro fittings are useless.

 

[zlobby]

Indeed. I avoid liquid cooling like the plague, but if I had to put it in, I would probably use automotive grade rubber heater hose.

Lol! Nothing says 'I am serious about PC water cooling' like running a loop through the radiator of your old Toyota Tundra!

 

[Valantar]

Indeed. I avoid liquid cooling like the plague, but if I had to put it in, I would probably use automotive grade rubber heater hose.

Neoprene tubing like EK's ZMT and similar tubing is pretty much that. Stiffer and a bit more of a hassle to route than softer plastic tubing, but no permeation, no kinking, and just rock solid all around. Extremely happy I went that route when I started watercooling again.



As for these fittings, while they look impressively compact I kind of struggle to see the utility. I guess they allow you to get bends much closer to the port (as the compression ring that needs to sit on the tube before insertion is that much shorter, as is the clamped length), but beyond that I would expect (from a lot of experience looking at SFF watercooling builds) the vast majority of these builds to use soft tubing.

 

[Nephilim666]

The benefit of these small fittings is in conjunction with the micro 90 degree fittings. They allow much more flexibility in building watercooled SFF systems.

 

[Valantar]

The benefit of these small fittings is in conjunction with the micro 90 degree fittings. They allow much more flexibility in building watercooled SFF systems.

That's true to some extent, but it's still a pretty tiny niche of SFF builds that space constrained but also where hard tubing makes any sort of sense at all. Then again I guess it does open the door for some previously impossible configurations.

 

[zlobby]

Then again I guess it does open the door for some previously impossible configurations.

But does it warrant opening a whole new product line just for such a niche?

 

[Valantar]

But does it warrant opening a whole new product line just for such a niche?

Yeah, that was my initial thought as well. I'm guessing they're hoping to sell a bunch of these to people who wants a more minimal look to their loops regardless of build size. Probably a few people out there who like water cooling but think chunky compression fittings look bad.