10mm or 1/2 tubing?

waso_dude · 9 Dec 2007 at 17:19

I'm currenty planning my next build.

Just trying to work out - 10mm compression fittings? or 1/2 barbs?

I know 10mm will give me tighter bends but will it give me much more?

Or is 1/2 much better?

I'm currently using 1/2.

marcus000 · 9 Dec 2007 at 17:23

Temperature wise there is very very little difference if any at all...

To most people 1/2" tubing looks better though I have seen some very nice 10/8mm setups. If you are new to idea of watercooling then 10/8mm is often seen as the safer option (if used with compression fittings).

Lastly, decent 1/2" hose will bend better than 10/8mm... not the other way round.

Bikerz · 9 Dec 2007 at 18:11

3/8 on 1/2 barbs be a nice tight fit. thats what I have

cavemanoc · 9 Dec 2007 at 18:27

The 10mm tubing is easier to work with and takes up less space - I used to swear by my 1/2 inch stuff and belittled friends who 'only' had 3/8ths - but with modern pumps it makes no difference to the temps, so go with what works for you. I know if I ever go back I'll be going for the thin stuff - it's no the size but what you do with it etc...

wolvers · 10 Dec 2007 at 10:31

10mm hose has an 8mm bore which is quite a lot smaller than 1/2" (12.6mm bore).

Go for 3/8" (9.5mm bore). It's a good compromise between bore size for ggod flow and flexibility in bends without kinking.

waso_dude · 10 Dec 2007 at 10:37

Decided i'm sticking with loverly chunky 1/2"

gurusan · 10 Dec 2007 at 11:04

Doesn't make a darned bit of difference.

andyr · 10 Dec 2007 at 11:26

I find 7/16" ,swiftech kit tube size ,gives a nice tight fit on 1/2" barbs

sammie377 · 10 Dec 2007 at 11:38

Bikerz said:
3/8 on 1/2 barbs be a nice tight fit. thats what I have

Same here, just done it and it's much neater and I couldn't tell any temp difference.

CyZMyAssBaby · 10 Dec 2007 at 14:35

sammie377 said:
Same here, just done it and it's much neater and I couldn't tell any temp difference.

i agree, very useful as well if your using a D-Tek block as clamps are bit fiddly to fit the barbs. 3/8 no clamps required due to the tight seal.

waso_dude · 10 Dec 2007 at 14:38

I run 3/8 on tight curves.

wolvers · 10 Dec 2007 at 15:27

I use Swiftech norprene 3/8 tubing. It's very thin walled and can bend really tightly, with smart coils, without kinking.

It's a shame that it's not clear though.

sammie377 · 10 Dec 2007 at 18:25

CyZMyAssBaby said:
i agree, very useful as well if your using a D-Tek block as clamps are bit fiddly to fit the barbs. 3/8 no clamps required due to the tight seal.

Forgot to mention the D Tek had hell of a job with 1/2" but the 3/8" is so much better with the D Tek.

CyZMyAssBaby · 10 Dec 2007 at 20:29

sammie377 said:
Forgot to mention the D Tek had hell of a job with 1/2" but the 3/8" is so much better with the D Tek.

Mlingard · 10 Dec 2007 at 20:53

sammie377 said:
Forgot to mention the D Tek had hell of a job with 1/2" but the 3/8" is so much better with the D Tek.

The one and only bad point to the d-tek block , i am hoping it will be abit easier with 7/16" tubing which i am going to use in my re done loop .

Jokester · 10 Dec 2007 at 20:56

I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of using 10/8 waterchill tubing and compression fittings, can make fantastically compact water cooling setups with it.

Jokester

platinum87 · 11 Dec 2007 at 12:42

speaking from a purely geographic perspective, the bigger the tubing, the less resistance there is, and the faster the water can flow , = more effective cooling

gurusan · 11 Dec 2007 at 12:46

...but also the bigger the tubing the more mass the pump has to move, meaning greater head loss as well as a lower flow rate.

cavemanoc · 11 Dec 2007 at 17:03

platinum87 said:
speaking from a purely geographic perspective, the bigger the tubing, the less resistance there is, and the faster the water can flow , = more effective cooling

That use to be true to an extent, but the new pumps make it moot. Tube sizing (1/2" down to 10mm) makes no difference to performance anymore - if you don't believe us go and track Down Cathar on XS as have a look at his research.

...but also the bigger the tubing the more mass the pump has to move, meaning greater head loss as well as a lower flow rate.

The effect will not be noticeable with the tubing we are discussing in 'standard' builds.

gurusan · 11 Dec 2007 at 17:48

cavemanoc said:
The effect will not be noticeable with the tubing we are discussing in 'standard' builds.

I know, I was just countering what the other guy above was saying (as 3/8'' isn't going to be anywhere near a 'restriction' in 'standard' builds)