Copper Tubing is HARD

Copper Tubing is HARD chronicles a bold foray into metalwork for a high end PC build. The video begins with Linus and team explaining that after years of different liquid cooling approaches they are now attempting to use copper tubing, a choice driven more by aesthetics and bragging rights than performance gains in typical small runs. They outline the broad premise: copper requires more technique, specialized bending, and more careful finishing to achieve a clean look, and they acknowledge the learning curve will be steep. The narrative then moves through the hardware selection, highlighting the Lian Li PC-011 dynamic case with white interior to showcase copper and paint, the Intel i7 8700K platform on a Z370 motherboard, Corsair Vengeance RGB memory, and a 1080 Ti GPU, all chosen to maintain a visually cohesive build while staying practical. Once the components are mounted, the focus shifts to copper specifically, detailing the decision to use straight hard-diameter copper pipe (Type K preferred for thicker walls) over coiled tubing to maintain a consistent aesthetic. The team describes annealing as a critical step before bending, heating the copper to a red-hot glow and then cooling it, so that bends stay workable, before quenching and finishing with sanding, polishing, and a protective lacquer to prevent tarnish. The mid-build section emphasizes the painstaking process: cutting, heating, bending with a large-radius bender, sand filling as an optional support, and iterative sanding and polishing to achieve a brushed metal finish that matches the white hardware and RGB accents. The final assembly shows the copper runs integrated with EK water blocks, 360 mm radiators, and a distribution block, followed by a leak test, successful power-on, and a triumphant reveal of a very shiny, camera-ready rig. The video closes with a light-hearted nod to the associated sponsorship and a playful invitation to viewers to try their own copper build possibilities, while acknowledging that copper water cooling is not typically practical for most users due to cost and complexity.

Topics · computing hardware · liquid cooling · case modifications · gaming PC · hardware assembly · aesthetic builds · tech tutorials