Mounting kits and accessories for liquid cooling cover bracket sets, backplates, retention hardware and related add-ons for anyone building or upgrading a custom water-cooling loop. Brands in our range include Alphacool, EK Water Blocks, der8auer, Aqua Computer and XSPC. It is a small, specialised selection, so compatibility matters more than anything else.
How to choose liquid cooling mounting kits and accessories
Socket compatibility. Mounting hardware is made for specific sockets, such as Intel LGA1700 or AMD AM5. Check your motherboard's socket against the compatibility list on the product page, because a kit for one socket often will not fit another.
Match to your cooler. Brackets and retention parts are usually designed around a particular water block or manufacturer's range. Choose a kit from the same maker as your block unless the listing clearly says it supports other designs.
Materials and finish. Custom loops mostly use copper, brass and nickel-plated parts. Mixing metals such as aluminium and copper in one loop can cause galvanic corrosion, so keep any new accessory consistent with the rest of your loop.
What is in the box. Check whether screws, springs, a backplate and insulating washers are included. Missing small parts can stop an installation halfway, and they are often hard to source separately.
Purpose of the part. Some items replace a lost or worn bracket, some adapt an existing block to a new socket, and some are enthusiast tools for overclockers. Decide which job you need done before comparing products.
Liquid cooling accessory brands we carry
- Alphacool: a German maker known for custom loop components, fittings and its Eisbaer all-in-one coolers.
- EK Water Blocks: a Slovenian manufacturer best known for CPU and GPU water blocks and a full range of custom loop parts.
- der8auer: the brand of the overclocker Roman Hartung, known for enthusiast tools such as delidding equipment and CPU contact frames.
- Aqua Computer: a German company known for fan and pump controllers such as the Aquaero, alongside water blocks and loop hardware.
- XSPC: a UK-based brand known for custom loop kits, reservoirs and radiators.
Frequently asked questions
What is a liquid cooling mounting kit?
A mounting kit is the set of brackets, screws and backplate parts that holds a water block firmly against a processor or graphics card. It sets the contact pressure between the block and the chip, so it affects cooling as well as fit. Kits are normally specific to a socket and a block design.
Can I use a mounting kit from a different brand?
Usually not, unless the manufacturer states that the kit is compatible. Hole spacing, screw lengths and spring tension differ between designs. Using the wrong hardware can give poor contact or damage the board.
How do I know which mounting kit fits my CPU?
Start with your CPU socket, which is listed in the motherboard specifications. Then check that the kit names both that socket and your water block model. If either is missing from the product description, confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
Do I need a new mounting kit when I change motherboard?
You only need one if the new board uses a different socket from the old one. Many water blocks can be converted to another socket with an adapter set or a different bracket. If the socket stays the same, the existing hardware normally carries over.
