3/8" vs 1/2" tubing

JN

New member
Guys,

I'm starting a new project and am naturally going to be water cooling. However, i just wanted to start a bit of a debate on what tubing size you think i should use.

After doing a bit of research, it would seem that there is no point in going for 1/2" tubing, after all the most blocks, rads, reservoirs and pumps use barbs that end up with an internal width of 3/8" anyway.

Even the Storm block by cathar was designed for use with 3/8" tubing!

So what dya think....
 
Carbine said:
none... go for 7/16.

The outter diameter of 7/16 is the same as the inner diameter of 1/2"

that means that the walls are only 1/16 of an inch thick? that would just buckle wouldnt it? or are the diameters take from the outside edges?
 
name='llwyd' said:
that means that the walls are only 1/16 of an inch thick? that would just buckle wouldnt it? or are the diameters take from the outside edges?

Sorry... outside edges.

7/16" ID (9/16" OD ThinWalled) Masterkleer PVC Tubing **SPECIAL

Premium quality PVC Tubing from Masterkleer.... thin walled for an even smaller OD, giving an even cleaner layout but lacking the bend radius of thicker tubing...

ID - 7/16"

OD - 9/16"

Bend radius approx 2.25"

This tubing has several benefits to your watercooling enthusiast kit's performance.

It's low cost!

It's ID matches the ID of most 1/2" hose barbs giving a smoother flow path

As it's slightly smaller than 1/2", simply heat up the tubing in warm water before pushing over barbs. Once it's shrunk down, it provides a snug tight seal generally abolishing the need for hoseclamps

I use it on my system.. but being me, i put tiny zipties over it (guess i'm a lil' paranoid)
 
Carbine said:
Sorry... outside edges.

I use it on my system.. but being me, i put tiny zipties over it (guess i'm a lil' paranoid)

Where do you buy yours from?
 
Okay...

Been proven that 7/16" ID is the best ID for tubing. Just becuase a setup has a barb with a 3/8" ID fitting does not make it designed for that.

The storm for instance is an impingement block and can use all the pressure and head it can muster. Thus 1/2" or 7/16" ID tubing feeding into a smaller 3/8" tube makes a better performance jump.
 
idk, dont live in UK, my local hardward store carries it(implmenting that your hardware store might carry it)
 
name='FragTek' said:
Do a UK google search for Masterkleer 7/16" and see what comes up. Masterkleer > all.

The link posted in my previous message will take you straight to masterkleer piping.
 
Thx for the link Mullett. Is thinwall the best to go for? Seem to have a better bend radius.
 
name='XMS' said:
Thx for the link Mullett. Is thinwall the best to go for? Seem to have a better bend radius.

No mate you want THICK wall. Still has a good bend radius but less prone to kinking, I absolutely despise thin wall tubing as it kinks very very easily. The the thicker the walls the better.
 
name='FragTek' said:
No mate you want THICK wall. Still has a good bend radius but less prone to kinking, I absolutely despise thin wall tubing as it kinks very very easily. The the thicker the walls the better.

Rgr. Gonna buy some today...I've a new project coming :)
 
Masterkleer 7/16 ID 5/8 OD is very popular over here right now. I'm still using 1/2 ID 3/4 OD myself as I've got a ton of room in my case and I'm to cheap to go out and buy new tubing, maybe after my stock of 1/2 inch is used up I'll switch.
 
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