Does tubing size affect cooling performance?

hughythomas

hughythomas

hughythomas

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Hi guys!

Just a quick question - does tubing size have any bearing on water temps in a system loop?

For example is there a difference between 7/16" - 5/8" VS. 1/2" - 3/4"?

I only ask because my friends rig (which I built!) uses the latter and his temperatures are much better than mine! I am on 7/16" - 5/8" tubing in a TJ07 whereas he is 1/2" - 3/4" in a Cosmos S.

Thanks in advance

Tom
 
Consider the thinnest gap the water has to go through, in a closed loop thats going to be the constraint on speed of water flow in the system. Then consider if your tubing is smaller or larger than that gap :)
 
There is no practial differance to temps with tubing greater that 3/8 (10mm) ID

That said - a block with a 1/2 barb will cool better that an idential loop with a a 3/8 barb on the same block.

1/2 ID tube doesn't kink as easily - thin wall 7/16 will
3/8 ID is easier to route within a small case - 1/2 gives that 'chunky' look
7/16 over 1/2 barbs and compression fitting both give a 'clean' look
Just pick what you like, easiest to fit.

As to comparing systems - my guess is that not only are the cases different.
So are the fans, ambient temps, loop length, hardware, voltage used, airflow and path, TIM application etc, etc.

Even in two identical loops in the same room - you can get a few degrees differance
 
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What temperature difference are you seeing? are all the components identical in both builds except for the tubing?

If you are using a i5 750, thats about 45nm and the newer i5's are 32nm, which will make a difference to the heat output, assuming ofcouse that your friends build is the newer i5.
 
He's saying it CAN make a difference, depending on the circumstances involved :P

Anyway, yes, obviously the size of tubing affects the ammount of coolant flow... but there are a lot of variables here, like he is trying to point out.
 
shadesofgrey said:
He's saying it CAN make a difference, depending on the circumstances involved :P

Anyway, yes, obviously the size of tubing affects the ammount of coolant flow... but there are a lot of variables here, like he is trying to point out.
Click to expand...

No - Tube size makes no differance to temps as long as flow is around 1gpm.
been LOTS of testing to prove this
 
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I won't make a difference because the restriction created by other parts of the loop will be far greater than any restriction difference between those two type of tubing.

As shadowscotland points out there are far more important reasons for using different sizes of tubing that the non-effect it has on temperature.

I like thicker walled tubing as it is more resistant to kinking as it heats up.
 
tubing size does not affect flow rates or temperatures.

impingement within blocks/loop components is what causes temp build up

pressure makes little to no difference around a loop, flow rate is important.

a loop with little flow drop before the last component is usually indicative of best performance.
 
Cool thanks for the information guys - so does this mean that the tubing I use is having little or no impact on the temps within my system?

I've got a TJ07 with two radiators (one older PA120.3 in bottom) + XSPC RS360 in top.

I think it must be my mates XSPC RX360 which is making the difference as he has it in the roof and his temps are insanely good.

I plan to upgrade to an XSPC RX480 in the bottom compartment of my TJ07 when I get paid...
 
I wonder why our temps are so vastly different then?

Fans perhaps? He uses Xilence Red Wings whereas I use some Yate Loon DS14s or something iirc?
 
hughythomas said:
I've got a TJ07 with two radiators (one older PA120.3 in bottom) + XSPC RS360 in top...
Click to expand...

Is one rad supply and the other exhaust?
If so that your problem.

Why not take your pc round to your friends and compare coretemp there.
Or just forget about it and have a curry / LAN party

And yes the XSPC RS rad is not as good as the RX
 
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Don't understand what you mean - both rads exhaust air out of the case.

Presumably, a quad XSPC RX480 will be better performing than a Thermochill PA 120.3?

Maybe I should swap out my RS360 roof rad for an EX360 instead?

Dont worry shadowscotland I don't lose any sleep over this its more just that his temps are insanely good and as I'm planning to deplumb my rig soon it makes sense to put new parts in there if they will help.

And yes, it is the same CPU (i5 2500k - even the same overclock!) + same block (Heatkiller 3.0).
 
hughythomas said:
Don't understand what you mean - both rads exhaust air out of the case.

Presumably, a quad XSPC RX480 will be better performing than a Thermochill PA 120.3?
yes

Maybe I should swap out my RS360 roof rad for an EX360 instead?
wouldn't be worth it IMO

Dont worry shadowscotland I don't lose any sleep over this its more just that his temps are insanely good and as I'm planning to deplumb my rig soon it makes sense to put new parts in there if they will help.

And yes, it is the same CPU (i5 2500k - even the same overclock!) + same block (Heatkiller 3.0).
Click to expand...
 
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