Fitting Sizes Confusion

krustykobb

krustykobb

krustykobb

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Joined
30 Dec 2012
Posts
148
Location
Derby, UK
Hi,

This is my first post! Anyway, I am interested in watercooling a PC I will hopefully be building in the future (just a CPU loop) but I am a little confused when trying to buy all of my watercooling parts. One thing that I don't understand is what the "G" stands for in front of the size (e.g 1/4) and how - for example - tubing says it is 7/16" but the barbs are 1/4" and other parts are different sizes. I know that all of the parts must have the same size fitting but I am a little confused with how on a watercooling kit it has two different sizes for items in the same kit. How do you understand this? Thanks in advance! :)
 
The G1/4 part refers to the thread on the fitting which screws onto rads, blocks, pumps etc. The 7/16 part refers to the size of the tubing that connects to the fitting.
 
Crackers said:
No 7/16 is slightly smaller in size. some use 7/16 tubing on 1/2"barbs as its a much tighter fit.
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Dip the ends of the tubing in very hot water for a few seconds before trying. Once the tube is on the only way off would be to cut the tubing, Makes for a very tidy, very tight coupling :)
 
Thanks, if it is tighter does that mean there is less of a chance of it leaking? And what are the odds of it leaking if I use compression fittings?
 
10/16mm - 3/8 - 5/8 tubing goes perfectly with stubby 1/2" Bitspower barbs. Stubby barbs are shortened barbs which give much better aesthetics.
 
When buying compression fittings (for a newbie I would recommend) then the size of the fitting must match the size of the tubing, so this tubing is 7/16": LINK is the same as this fitting: LINK (both had an ID & OD - Internal Diameter and Outer Diameter) but for barbs then you want the tubing to be a smaller size than the fitting so that its a snug fit, also with barbs you can get clips to hold them on tighter, but personally I'd go for compressions :)
 
Hi, I'm pretty new to this as well and I'll hopefully be building my first water cooled system soon. Info can be found here:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18473571

I too was initially confused by all the different sizes, but it's quite simple once you get your head around it. The G1/4 is a 1/4" thread and is a standard thread for most of the water cooling components (blocks, reservoirs, rads, etc.). You need to decide what size tubing you want to use. I would recommend 1/2" ID and 3/4" OD as it's the most common and the widest ID meaning more flow (obviously dependent on pressures etc.)

If you go for it then you need to decide on fittings - whether you want barbs or compression fittings. The only real difference is price and looks - compression fittings look better but cost more, but I would still recommend them. Whatever size tubing you use, you need to make sure you get fittings to match the size.

If you're using compression fittings then I would recommend 1/2" ID and 3/4" OD tubing and fittings. If your using barb fittings then as mentioned above, using a slightly smaller tubing gives a tighter seal and should help prevent leaks.

As I said I'm new at this and have little experience but I have spent the last 2 weeks glued to my PC reading up on it. I hope this helps you.
 
krustykobb said:
Thanks, if it is tighter does that mean there is less of a chance of it leaking? And what are the odds of it leaking if I use compression fittings?
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There is no chance a compression will leak if fitted right.

push the tubing on till its as far as it will go the screw the top piece down over it as tight as your hand will let you. Thats it!!

for compression's you will need to use the same size tubing as compression fitting though so say 1/2 id 3/4 od tubing you will need to use 1/2id 3/4 od compression.

using smaller tubing and heating it only works with barbs. Remember this!

all or most uk thread sizes are G1/4 so if it says that your ok unless you have bought american blocks or something
 
 
krustykobb said:
Ok I think i understand - I will defiantly go with compression fittings just for my piece of mind and they will look much better in the case. Just to check - would all of these watercooling parts work together?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-022-KA
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-140-XS&groupid=962&catid=2141&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-096-XS&groupid=962&catid=1523&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-064-OE&groupid=962&catid=1529&subcat=1826
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-118-XS&groupid=962&catid=1530&subcat=1777
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-001-MH&groupid=962&catid=1531&subcat=

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Yes they will work together but remember you can get angles and bends aswell depending on how you case is laid out and where you want them to flow.
1/2 is what I use and its the biggest size of tubing there is for watercooling there are other sizes smaller so its worth looking and seeing what there is and maybe checking out some build logs in the project section to give you ideas.

love the koolance cpu block too thinking about getting it myself ;)

This is my 1/2 tubing in black using bitspower black fittings

rig.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks nice - thinking of buying the Thermaltake Level 10 GT but if it isn't suitable I can choose another one. Which case do you have? And will bare the angled fittings in mind!
 
krustykobb said:
Looks nice - thinking of buying the Thermaltake Level 10 GT but if it isn't suitable I can choose another one. Which case do you have? And will bare the angled fittings in mind!
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The case is a Danger Den tower 21.

They used to be the kings of water cooling back in the day but have since closed there doors this year so its now Retro which I love.

If you look at the pic you can see I have used right angled bends and 45 degree bends as well as some barbs. use whatever makes it look the nicest.

My case was a level 10 nightmare because I used the biggest size tubing and have loads of blocks very close to each other. this makes it very difficult plus there's nowhere to hide cables so everything is on show.

I just love the case though and wont part with it ever ;)
 
Lol - think I am going to go with a Thermaltake Level 10 GT as I like the design of it and it should fit all of my water cooling parts. Only a CPU loop (not sure about GPU yet) and if an angled fitting will make it look tidier I will buy one of them. For the rad fans I was thinking of Scythe Gentle Tycoon 120mm 1850rpm unless there is something better on the market what will do a better job but from what I have been reading these fans are supposed to be very good for water cooling. :)
 
krustykobb said:
Lol - think I am going to go with a Thermaltake Level 10 GT as I like the design of it and it should fit all of my water cooling parts. Only a CPU loop (not sure about GPU yet) and if an angled fitting will make it look tidier I will buy one of them. For the rad fans I was thinking of Scythe Gentle Tycoon 120mm 1850rpm unless there is something better on the market what will do a better job but from what I have been reading these fans are supposed to be very good for water cooling. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah gentle typhoon are tops for water cooling.

You may want to put them on a fan controller so you have control over over the decibels
 
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