News

D5 vs DDC: Which Water Cooling Pump Should You Buy?

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 19:37:17 +0000

The short answer

Pick a D5 for most loops: it is bigger, quiet at normal speeds and moves plenty of coolant. Pick a DDC when space is tight: it is much smaller and pushes harder through restrictive loops, but it runs warmer. Either one needs a top or reservoir made for that pump.

D5 or DDC?

D5

Pump cores from $99.50 at ModMyMods

Larger, round pump
Quiet at the speeds most loops run
The usual pick with a tube reservoir

Shop D5 pumps

DDC

Pump cores from $69.50 at ModMyMods

Small and flat, fits compact cases
Strong pressure for loops with many blocks
Runs warmer, so give it airflow

Shop DDC pumps

Tops are not interchangeable. A D5 goes in a D5 top and a DDC goes in a DDC top. The same goes for reservoirs with a pump mount, so check the listing says D5 or DDC.

Pumps we stock

Aquacomputer D5 Pump Core, $99.50

A straightforward D5 to drop into the top or reservoir of your choice.

Shop the D5 Pump Core

Watercool WCP D5-PWM, $117.95

A D5 your motherboard can speed up and slow down.

Shop the WCP D5-PWM

Laing DDC 4.2, $69.50

A compact DDC for small builds.

Shop the DDC 4.2

Alphacool DDC310 with top, $78.99

Comes with an Eisdecke top, ready to plumb in.

Shop the DDC310 Complete Edition

Prices checked September 2026.

Pump and reservoir together

Most first loops use a combo: the pump sits in the bottom of the reservoir, so it is one part to mount and two fittings instead of four. Our starter loop in the cost guide uses the Alphacool Eisstation DDC, $99.99 with the pump included.

Pump and reservoir combos

D5 and DDC, pump included or ready for yours.

Shop combos

Distribution plates

Pump, reservoir and routing in one panel for a clean look.

Shop distro plates

Counting fittings for your pump setup? See How Many Fittings Does a Custom Loop Need?

Not sure which fits your case?
Send us your case and parts list and we will point you to the right pump.

Ask us

How Many Fittings Does a Custom Loop Need?

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 19:32:08 +0000

The short answer

Two per component. Every block, radiator and pump/reservoir has an inlet and an outlet, and each one takes a compression fitting. A basic CPU loop needs 6. Add a GPU block and it is 8.

Count your components

Write down every part the coolant flows through, then give each one two fittings.

CPU block	2
GPU block	2
Each radiator	2
Pump and reservoir combo	2
Separate pump and separate reservoir	2 each

Common loops

CPU loopCPU block, one radiator, pump/res combo

CPU and GPUBoth blocks, one radiator, pump/res combo

CPU and GPU, two radiatorsBoth blocks, two radiators, pump/res combo

Two radiators, separate pump and resBoth blocks, two radiators, pump, reservoir

Not sure what your loop needs? Our cost guide walks through a full parts list: AIO or Custom Loop? What Water Cooling Costs.

Pick fittings that match your tubing

Compression fittings are sized to the tubing, so choose the tube first. For soft tubing we recommend 16/10mm (3/8" x 5/8"): it is the most flexible common size and the least prone to kinking. Building with hard tube? Use hard tube fittings that match the tube.

Alphacool HF six pack

Six 16/10mm compression fittings for $22.00, enough for a CPU loop.

Shop the six pack

Barrow, $3.75 each

Buy exactly the number you counted.

Shop Barrow fittings

Alphacool Apex Grip six pack

A premium fitting for show builds, $53.99 for six.

Shop Apex Grip

All 16/10mm fittings

Every brand and finish we carry for this size.

Shop 16/10mm compression fittings

Prices checked September 2026. Tubing: ModMyMods 16/10mm clear, $1.25 a foot (sold by the foot).

Extras that make the build easier

These thread in between a port and its compression fitting, so they do not change your count.

Tight corner?

Rotary adapters turn the fitting so the tube runs where you need it.

90 degree · 45 degree

Want to drain it later?

Put a valve at the lowest point of the loop.

Shop G1/4 valves

Pull parts without draining?

Quick disconnects let you remove a radiator or graphics card with the loop still full.

Shop quick disconnects

A port you are not using?

Close it with a stop plug.

Shop stop plugs

Want us to count it for you?
Send us your parts list and we will tell you exactly what fittings to order.

Ask us

AIO or Custom Loop? What Water Cooling Costs

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 20:37:00 +0000

The short answer

An all-in-one (AIO) cooler is the cheapest, simplest way to water cool a CPU: one sealed box, from $39.99. A custom loop built from parts starts around $316 for a CPU loop and about $576 with a current-gen GPU block. The loop costs more, and in return it cools your graphics card, lets you pick every part, and grows with your build.

AIO or custom loop?

AIO cooler

$39.99 to $374.99 at ModMyMods

Pump, block and radiator in one sealed unit
Installs like an air cooler, nothing to fill
Cools the CPU only

Shop AIO coolers

Custom loop

From about $316 for a CPU loop

Every part picked separately
Cools the CPU and the graphics card
Add radiators or blocks later

Start with a CPU block

Want the middle ground? Alphacool Eisbaer AIOs are built to expand: one hose has a quick-lock, so you can add a GPU block or another radiator later with the Eisbaer Quick-Connect Extension Kit. Try the Eisbaer 360.

What a starter custom loop costs

A real CPU loop, every part in stock at ModMyMods:

CPU block: HEATKILLER IV BASIC (Intel) or (AMD AM4/AM5)	$91.75
Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 360mm	$83.99
Pump and reservoir: Alphacool Eisstation DDC with pump	$99.99
Tubing: ModMyMods 16/10mm (3/8" x 5/8"), 6 feet (sold by the foot)	$7.50
6 compression fittings: Alphacool HF six pack	$22.00
Coolant: ModMyMods ModWater Clear, 1 liter	$10.50
Total	$315.73

Prices checked September 2026.

What about fans? A 360mm radiator takes three 120mm fans. Reuse your case fans, or pick up a set of 120mm fans.

Adding your graphics card

Water blocks for current cards run $249.99 to $624.99 at ModMyMods. Add two more compression fittings and a couple of feet of tubing, and a CPU plus GPU loop comes to about $576. Bigger loops usually add radiator space as well.

The block has to match your exact card. Our guide shows how to check: How to water cool a GPU.

Where to save, where to spend

Save on tubing and fittings

Our house 16/10mm tubing is $1.25 a foot, and Barrow compression fittings are $3.75 each.

Shop compression fittings

Spend on radiator space

More radiator means quieter fans for the same heat. A thicker or second radiator is the upgrade most loops grow into.

Shop radiators

Tight routing?

90 degree fittings make it easier to run tubing in a crowded case.

Shop 90 degree fittings

Want color?

Swap the clear coolant for a colored one, same loop.

Shop colored coolant

Want us to check your parts list?
Send it over and we will make sure it all fits together.

Ask us

How to Water Cool a GPU, and How to Check a Block Fits Your Card

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 16:21:35 +0000

The short answer

To water cool a graphics card, swap its air cooler for a full-cover water block made for your exact card, then connect it to a loop: a pump and reservoir, a radiator, tubing, compression fittings and coolant. The step people get wrong is the block. It has to match your card's board, not just the GPU chip.

Check which water block fits your card

A GPU water block is machined for one circuit board layout. Two RTX 5090s from different brands, or even two models from the same brand, can use different boards, so "fits RTX 5090" is never enough on its own. Match the brand and the exact model name printed on your card's box, for example "MSI GeForce RTX 5080 SUPRIM SOC" or "Sapphire NITRO+ RX 9070 XT".

Some blocks cover more than one card when the manufacturer shares a board between models. That is why you will see blocks listed for both an RTX 5080 and an RTX 5070 Ti of the same series.

Every current GPU category has a fitment table at the top. Find your card, and it shows every block that fits:

RTX 5090Water block fitment table RTX 5080Water block fitment table RTX 5070 TiWater block fitment table RTX 5070Water block fitment table RX 9070 XT / RX 9070Water block fitment table All GPU water blocksEvery block we carry

Everything else a GPU loop needs

Radiator

Gets the heat out of the coolant.

Shop radiators

Pump and reservoir

A pump/reservoir combo is the simplest way to cover both.

Shop pump and reservoir combos

Tubing

We recommend 16/10mm (3/8" x 5/8") soft tubing. It is the most flexible common size and the least prone to kinking.

Shop 16/10mm tubing

Compression fittings

Two per component. A simple GPU-only loop with a block, a radiator and a pump/reservoir combo needs 6.

Shop 16/10mm compression fittings

Coolant

Clear or colored, whichever suits your build.

Clear coolant · Colored coolant

Tight routing?

90 degree fittings make it easier to get tubing in and out of a block near the side panel.

Shop 90 degree fittings

Kit or parts?

If you would rather buy one box, a GPU water cooling kit bundles the loop hardware. Building from parts lets you pick the block for your exact card and size the radiator to your case.

Can I cool my CPU in the same loop? Yes. Add a CPU water block and two more compression fittings, and it runs on the same pump, radiator and coolant. Bigger loops usually add radiator space as well.

Not sure which block fits your card?
Send us the exact model name and we will tell you.

Ask us

Holiday 2022 Sales Event

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:01:00 +0000

TIS THE SEASON TO SHOP FOR PC PARTS

The holiday season is upon us and during this most festive time we would like to say thank you to the incredible PC modding community, without whom we could have hoped to have reached the point where we are now.
As a show of thanks for your continued support and patronage, we have some lovely deals happening just in time for your holiday shopping needs!

From Dec 1st through December 25th, you can take 10% off SITE WIDEwhen you use the code HOLIDAY22 at checkout!

Whether you're buying a last-minute gift for a friend, family member, pet, neighborhood raccoon, or yourself, we want to help out this holiday season

Happy Holidays from all of us at ModMyMods!

7th Annual Modiversary Sale!

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 13:01:59 +0000

Seven Years And Counting!

It's hard for any of us to believe that its already been seven years since we officially opened our doors to the community! With that in mind, we invite each and every one of you to join us for our seventh annual Modiversary sale.
We know that the recession has hit everybody hard this year and we want to help you out! From August 17th through August 23rd, take between5 and 50% off site-wide!
We are hugely thankful to those who got us here. So thank you to each and every customer, friend and obscure business colleague for helping us over the years.

*(Custom parts and services are excluded from site-wide savings)*

12 DAYS OF XMAS SALE!

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 01:53:27 +0000

12 DAYS OF XMAS SALE IS ON NOW!

Dec 14th - 25th

Whether you're buying a last-minute gift for a friend, family member, pet, neighborhood raccoon, or yourself, we want to help out.

5% off

Thermal Grizzly

10% off

Darkside

15% off

Barrow

Happy Holidays from all of us at ModMyMods!

2021 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales!

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 16:47:43 +0000

-- CHECK OUT OUR BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY SALE --

LET'S CUT IT UP

Well, lets cut up some case panels at least.

LETS CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER

Have you wanted to jump on the modded case panel bandwagon but haven't gotten around to it yet? Well look no further than the ModMyMods Custom Panel Shop this black friday & cyber monday! That's right, from 11/25-11/29 we're offering 10% off your order of any custom Phanteks case panel mods! No promocode necessary!

GET A FREE GARMENT FOR YOUR HUMAN TORSO!

. Fear not fellow biological entity, we've kept you in mind this Black Friday & Cyber Monday. When you spend $150 of your well earned money at ModMyMods, we will throw in an awesome, water cooling themed T-Shirt!

Just add the T-Shirt of your choice to your cart.

Use PromoCode FREET at checkout! It's that easy!

Is your PC Thirsty?

From 11/25-11/29 we're offering a buy one get one free sale on all ModWater Products!

Just use promocode: BOGO at checkout

to get a second bottle of ModWater Premium Coolant free!

ModMyMods Custom PSU Cable Extensions

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 17:23:26 +0000

ustom PSU Cable Extensions ARE HERE!

That's right you lucky ducks, we have finally risen to the occasion and are offering fully custom sleeved cable extensions at ModMyMods! Sure it was a long time coming but now you can fully express your creativity without all the fuss of sleeving your existing cable set!

With a variety of colors, cable types and length options to choose, your build can look exactly the way you want it to every time! Whether you're looking for a full set of extensions or just a single cable, we have you covered!

Looking for a custom pattern? No worries! Our helpful and brilliant technicians will work with you to make sure that your sleeved cables are to your liking before we set to making them!

ModMyMods - 4th Of July Sale!

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 15:28:58 +0000

We want to give back to the American People on this glorious day -
So in the name of freedom and justice,

Take 10% off your order from 7/2-7/5

Using the code JULY4TH at checkout!

From all of us at ModMyMods, Happy Independence Day.