Quick water cooling question

Philio · 25 Apr 2007 at 18:44

If I'm going to use 3/8" ID tubing, whats the best barb size to use?
Should I get 3/8" (10mm) barbs or slightly bigger for a tighter fit?

flump · 25 Apr 2007 at 20:51

tbh a tighter fit would drive you mad - with the 10ml barbs and id hose it will take some strain to fit as it is! Don't forget your clips/cable ties etc just to make sure.

Good luck

caister · 25 Apr 2007 at 20:59

As above really it should be a tight enough fit. Aparently the new size tubing to go for is 5/8" OD on 1/2" barbs makes for a tight fit and smoother transition between fittings plus its not as bulky as 3/4" tubing.

However I just love the look of 3/4" tubing!!

DaveMac · 25 Apr 2007 at 23:05

Danger Den 1/2" O.D. Hi-flow fittings as pictured below are an excellent match for 3/8" I.D. tubing.

Philio · 26 Apr 2007 at 00:05

Thanks for all the input! Finally after a month of looking at components I am starting to place some orders now to build my new system. Decided to go for 3/8" as it will be easier to route as I have CPU, GPU, pump, 2 radiators a flow sensor and a temperature sensor to hook up if all goes to plan (and thats not too much for 1 pump!)

caister · 26 Apr 2007 at 11:19

Depends on the pump but you wont get very good flow rates with 2 radiators a flow meter and a tempsensor as well as the smaller tubing.

Is there any reason for using 2 radiators? What radiators are you going to use? Ive never really seen the use for a flow meter as they are an uneeded restriction on flow plus its something else to leak and go wrong but some people like them.

Marci · 26 Apr 2007 at 13:46

Decided to go for 3/8" as it will be easier to route as I have CPU, GPU, pump, 2 radiators a flow sensor and a temperature sensor to hook up if all goes to plan (and thats not too much for 1 pump!)

You're missing one of the points of 7/16" Tubing. 7/16" Tubing and 3/8" Tubing both have the same OD, therefore, 7/16" is just as easy to route and takes up exactly the same amount of space as 3/8", but allows you to use hardware with 1/2" fittings thru-out...

caister · 26 Apr 2007 at 17:11

Marci said:
You're missing one of the points of 7/16" Tubing. 7/16" Tubing and 3/8" Tubing both have the same OD, therefore, 7/16" is just as easy to route and takes up exactly the same amount of space as 3/8", but allows you to use hardware with 1/2" fittings thru-out...

Should help increase flows rates with 2 radiators too. Also there is a better range of hardware with 1/2" barb fittings.

Philio · 27 Apr 2007 at 03:00

Main reason for 2 radiators is that I'm not sure that a single bigger radiator would fit in there, I'm waiting for my case to be delivered then I will measure what space is available and see what I can fit in there.

caister · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:19

What case are you getting?

Philio · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:16

caister said:
What case are you getting?

I've ordered a modded Silverstone TJ09, I should be able to get away with a single 2x120 radiator in the top I would think.

caister · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:41

Philio said:
I've ordered a modded Silverstone TJ09, I should be able to get away with a single 2x120 radiator in the top I would think.

I would have thought so there looks to be space for it easily. A thermochill PA120.2 would be the way to go as that will cool most loops effieciently without need for a second radiator they are quite thick though so you need to see if you can find somebody with one in the same case. Should be good though. Good Luck

EDIT: Apparently if your willing to cut part of the top out you can fit a PA120.3 in there. A PA120.2 fits if you remove the top mesh without any extra cutting according to a guy on my course at uni who has the case. Hope this helps there are plenty of pictures around if you do a quick search on google.

Philio · 28 Apr 2007 at 04:10

caister said:
I would have thought so there looks to be space for it easily. A thermochill PA120.2 would be the way to go as that will cool most loops effieciently without need for a second radiator they are quite thick though so you need to see if you can find somebody with one in the same case. Should be good though. Good Luck

EDIT: Apparently if your willing to cut part of the top out you can fit a PA120.3 in there. A PA120.2 fits if you remove the top mesh without any extra cutting according to a guy on my course at uni who has the case. Hope this helps there are plenty of pictures around if you do a quick search on google.

A 120.2 will definately fit, will this be sufficient for a QX6700 and a 8800 GTX? I was under the impression they run quite hot.