Does hose diameter have a big effect on cooling ability??

Was about to say anything over 8mm ID and it's makes next to no differance in simple loops. (that's why all in one cpu loops have small tubes)
In more complex loops with three block and 2 rads various 45's and 90's then using a larger ID to keep the flowrate above 0.8GPM or 3LPM is advisable.
 
I've used 3/4", 5/8" and now use a mixture of 1/2" and 3/8" hosing with my D5 pumps - I've not recorded any difference in the cooling ability of my kit.

The 3/8" hose doesn't appear to have any noticeable impact on the flow rate vs 5/8" or greater - and 3/8" hose is a hell of a lot easier to route around your case than 3/4" and 5/8" let me tell you!

Don't go out and replace 3/8 or 1/2 hosing and expect measurable cooling improvements, because you wont find them that way... I was convinced that my hose was the reason for poor performance until I bought decent radiators/fans/blocks. I've never looked back since.
 
I'm using 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing in my system which has 3 blocks and 2 rads, if that helps. Doesn't seem to be any flow rate issues.
 
7/16 is the way to go. Perfect mix of easy routing with looks and not too much friction. Fits over 1/2" barbs without needing to change them.
 
Monkeyspaz5000 said:
Thinking of dropping to 3/8" to make routing a little easier. :)
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routing 3/8" vs 1/2" - there's not a whole lot of difference - try using a more flexible hose rather than a thinner hose.

I used to use Swiftech hoses which came with a kit I bought from OCUK - they don't stock them now (end of line), but I think the hose was made of neoprene. It looked quite rubbery, and had those green hose coils around to prevent kinking - it was dead flexible compared to the stuff that I use now.

I'm not sure how to measure the flexibility of hose before you buy it....
 
shadowscotland said:
Was about to say anything over 8mm ID and it's makes next to no differance in simple loops. (that's why all in one cpu loops have small tubes)
In more complex loops with three block and 2 rads various 45's and 90's then using a larger ID to keep the flowrate above 0.8GPM or 3LPM is advisable.
Click to expand...
The more restrictive the loop is, changing tubing size is going to have even less impact as the tubing's contribution becomes more and more insignificant to the total loss.
 
True - but unless you add an extra pump then it's the only thing you can do.
That or stop living in the past (get some highflow blocks) :D
Or remove all the 45/90 as tube does bend!
Or buy/mod a case so it fits a single large rad.
Or have two loops

But that all costs a lot more that larger tube
 
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I run a single loop, 3 blocks (including an LTX which isn't the lowest restriction in the world) with 90's with 10mm ID tubing (3/8") and have no issues with flow rate (3C water delta)
 
10/13mm is very flexible in comparison but you might need to make use of 90's or 45's to prevent kinking in some of the more extreme radiuses (or possibly anti kink thingamys though I've not used any of those myself)
 
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