Watercooling Pipe Thickness

DrPeirson · 3 Dec 2012 at 11:37

Hey guys/gals

Just wondering if anyone has upgraded to 1/2 from smaller tubing and noticed any increase in flow/temperatures!

I bought a water cooling kit and I'm looking to expand this in my next build by getting thicker pipes and a new reservoir. The current pipes are pretty thin to be honest.

On a side note, does reducing the wastage pipe between components make too much of a difference because at the moment I can keep around 25-30c usually under moderate stress and the pipes between the cpu and pump go all around my case! (lack of pump mounting options in the HAF 932, Can't wait to get into a Cosmos 2!

BluSky · 3 Dec 2012 at 11:44

what size is your current tubing? I have always used 7/16 ID so I cannot say how it compares to smaller tubing sizes. I imagine jumping just one size up or down wouldn't make a lot of difference though. Jumping from say 3/8 to 1/2 might though.

On the other note, the shortest route is always best, a small amount of slack isnt really a problem though and even in the worst case scenario you are probably only going to see a few degress difference. Things certainly 'look' better with minimal tubing though.

DrPeirson · 3 Dec 2012 at 11:50

BluSky said:
what size is your current tubing? I have always used 7/16 ID so I cannot say how it compares to smaller tubing sizes. I imagine jumping just one size up or down wouldn't make a lot of difference though. Jumping from say 3/8 to 1/2 might though.

On the other note, the shortest route is always best, a small amount of slack isnt really a problem though and even in the worst case scenario you are probably only going to see a few degress difference. Things certainly 'look' better with minimal tubing though.

I will grab a picture to show you how it currently looks and will also find my order history and find that pipe!

EDIT: pipe is currently 3/8"ID

---------------------------------------------------------

Below is the picture. I will also point out that I have cut a little bit away from the cpu/pump as it was sprawled all over my filthy hot graphics card!

DrPeirson · 3 Dec 2012 at 11:51

Sorry for the ****ing massive picture, Currently at work so I can't crop/edit

mjones1 · 3 Dec 2012 at 12:48

Tubing size doesn't make a difference in your average loop.

DrPeirson · 3 Dec 2012 at 12:56

So basically.. A good comparison can only be calculated if you were using multiple components etc? I will be throwing in the thick pipe next month as I will likely be adding a GPU and possible chipset to the loop.

Kaapstad · 3 Dec 2012 at 17:42

Does using a more powerful pump make much difference. For example something like this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-163-XS&groupid=962&catid=2141&subcat=

mjones1 · 3 Dec 2012 at 19:44

Kaapstad said:
Does using a more powerful pump make much difference. For example something like this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-163-XS&groupid=962&catid=2141&subcat=

Unless you have stupidly low flow rates you wouldn't see much difference, a single d5 can handle multiple gpu blocks + cpu block, don't under estimate how powerful they are.

Deleted member 66701 · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:08

I went from 8/10mm tubing to 1/2" and it made not one jot of difference.

Ended up going back to 8/10 as the 1/2" tubing clouded up quickly and I found the 8/10 tubing easier to route. Also, I'm one of those rare people that find thinner tubing more aesthetically pleasing.

DrPeirson · 5 Dec 2012 at 15:16

amigafan2003 said:
I went from 8/10mm tubing to 1/2" and it made not one jot of difference.

Ended up going back to 8/10 as the 1/2" tubing clouded up quickly and I found the 8/10 tubing easier to route. Also, I'm one of those rare people that find thinner tubing more aesthetically pleasing.

Aye, I will be going to 1/2 for aesthetic reasons only really.. I like the look of big fat tubes running into my components "fuelling them"

Watercooling Pipe Thickness

Deleted member 66701

Deleted member 66701