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Boutique PC Shops using 3/8" tubes

H

HRPC

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Messages
81
I have seen WC offerings from the high end boutique "$5000+" pc shops and they are using 3/8" tubing even when dual proc dual GPU setups....why is this? I was under the assumption that 1/2" is the way to go especially in such a demanding setup.
 
its because all they need their processors and graphics cards to run at stock. that watercooling is just for show. its job it to keep stuff as cool as stock air, while looking much better then stock.
 
there is no functional difference between 1/2" and 3/8" tubing in a watercooling system. The blocks, pump, and radiator are the deciding factors in your temps.
 
i works out that you can use 3/8ths tube with 1/2 fitting and there's no loss in flow

+ you don't have to use clamps when using 3/8th tube on 1/2 barbs...


just boil some water to soften it up a bit and it slides right on


once it cools it's as good as any hose clamp .. probably better


mal
 
There's no replacement for displacement! :p

If you have a beefy pump (like a MCW655) you'll be better served to run 7/16 or 1/2" tubing. On lower flow setups 3/8" will work just fine.
 
"" Manufacturers match 1/2-inch tubeing to 1/2-inch fittings when building kits. However, the large tubing doesn't determine the water flow so much as the fittings because they have slightly smaller holes. In fact, the inner diameter of a 1/2-inch fitting is 3/8 of an inch. Which is the inner diamter of 3/8 inch tubing. When 3/8-inch tubing attaches to 1/2-inch fittings, the water flows freely though the system without hitting any bottlenecks. ""

- CPU Magazine

halfinch0025um.jpg


cheers,

mal
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
its because all they need their processors and graphics cards to run at stock. that watercooling is just for show. its job it to keep stuff as cool as stock air, while looking much better then stock.
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Wow....do you really believe that shit?

flag_lol.gif
 
consumer9000 said:
There's no replacement for displacement!
Click to expand...

Well... I don't see a lot of 500 cubic inch engines driving around the freeways in California anymore. What I do see is a lot of smaller engines that are much more efficient and still put out 200-300 HP. Thus some might draw a parallel here in that you can do more with less providing you are willing to do the engineering on both mechanical and electronic ends of the table. IOW, as technology progresses we should see better cooling with less size and less H20.
 
Top Nurse said:
Well... I don't see a lot of 500 cubic inch engines driving around the freeways in California anymore. What I do see is a lot of smaller engines that are much more efficient and still put out 200-300 HP.
Click to expand...

And if you used the same technology to build a 500c.i. engine it would romp all over the smaller displacement example.
I get your point, but that's a terrible analogy.
 
sprocket said:
And if you used the same technology to build a 500c.i. engine it would romp all over the smaller displacement example.
I get your point, but that's a terrible analogy.
Click to expand...

Agree. The only reason you see these little motors is due to CAFE regulations in the USA. Environmental concerns are forcing fuel economy. Hell, I'd kill to have a 429 Cobra Jet in my new Stang with all the electronic genius it already sports

Back OT
 
Top Nurse said:
Wow....do you really believe that shit?

flag_lol.gif
Click to expand...

alright, why else would you put watercooling on a STOCK MACHINE, cause those boutique shops sure as hell dont overclock.

and i cant believe you actually took the time to save that horrible smily into your photobucket account.
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
alright, why else would you put watercooling on a STOCK MACHINE, cause those boutique shops sure as hell dont overclock.

and i cant believe you actually took the time to save that horrible smily into your photobucket account.
Click to expand...
Have you ever considered that people/companies do this for the silent aspect of computing? :rolleyes:

/ontopic: the gains when going from 3/8" to 1/2" aren't enough to justify the installation/clutter issues, especially when watercooling to achieve quite operation.
 
R1ckCa1n said:
Have you ever considered that people/companies do this for the silent aspect of computing? :rolleyes:

/ontopic: the gains when going from 3/8" to 1/2" aren't enough to justify the installation/clutter issues, especially when watercooling to achieve quite operation.
Click to expand...

we are talking a BOUTIQUE PC SHOP! not people here. and you can get dead silent aircooling for less then watercooling.

if your not overclocking, which makes more sense? expensive watercooling for silence? or cheaper aircooling for silencer? exactly.
 
For silent computing, a pump and a rad with a low CFM will make just as much noise as say, an XP-120 with a lower CFM fan. I never understood the silent argument, as it's just an excuse for people to get water cooling and justify their low flow 3/8ths tubing. Reguardless if you wanna admit it or not, the flows are increased/decreased depending on your tubing, much in the same way you can't carry 80A of current over an 8awg wire, but carries fine over a 4awg wire...but yet it can flow thru the tiny 80A fuse. ;) My stereo has 2awg cabling btw. Why? Because I don't wanna worry about current not getting where it goes, so I always overwire and keep wires as short as possible. I also keep my water cooling fairly similar, with 1/2in ID and short precise paths. I use my loop for performance, not for looks (although the pink zerex is quite the lady getter).

To each their own, but like it or not, 1/2in performs better than 3/8ths, and I dunno about you, but I use my water for performance. And reguardless if I need clamps or not on my fixtures, they all get it. I'm not risking my parts over a 10 cent piece that attaches right on there. Last I checked, I've never seen automotive/beverage/any tubing attached to fixtures with out some sort of clamping measure in place. So yeah, if you want clampless skinny tubing that barely stretches over the barb, allowing you to not need barbs, more power to you.

This argument will go back and forth forever, and I really don't care what you like or use. I prefer the absolute best performance, and the fact is 3/8th's doesn't have it. Hell, I think 1/2in ID tubing looks better, I always laughed at 3/8ths before I even knew what it was. :p Now for God's sakes, everyone calm the fuck down and quit personally assaulting each other over some stupid shit. :rolleyes: Go out and get a social life, where debates are more interesting instead of typing away at a keyboard. I can't stand to read this section anymore after the few months I got into water cooling because all it is is kids justifying their 3/8ths ID. Go read OCForums' WC sections sometime for an example on how to hold watercooling discussion.

Full Folding Ahead!

 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
alright guys....if im all wrong, then why do boutique shops use 3/8th tubing over 1/2in tubing?
Click to expand...

BECAUSE ITS EASIER TO ROUTE AND WORK WITH YOU TWIT.
 
so then why not use 1/4th tubing instead of 3/8th. if they were about easy routing, they'd go with the easiest they could get.

and do i sense someone getting enraged over a watercooling tubing size...i think someone needs to take their own advice and get a life.
 
Well, if I ran a "boutique PC vendor company" I'd use 1/2" tubing because customers who buy computers from vendors like them are insanely obsessed with compensating for a small *something*. :rolleyes:

"Look, my tubing is bigger!" :p
 
consumer9000 said:
Well, if I ran a "boutique PC vendor company" I'd use 1/2" tubing because customers who buy computers from vendors like them are insanely obsessed with compensating for a small *something*. :rolleyes:

"Look, my tubing is bigger!" :p
Click to expand...
lol, QFT.
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
alright, why else would you put watercooling on a STOCK MACHINE, cause those boutique shops sure as hell dont overclock.

and i cant believe you actually took the time to save that horrible smily into your photobucket account.
Click to expand...


Boutique shops do overclock and still warranty there computer as well with the overclock.
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
alright, why else would you put watercooling on a STOCK MACHINE, cause those boutique shops sure as hell dont overclock.

and i cant believe you actually took the time to save that horrible smily into your photobucket account.
Click to expand...

Well I assume they put watercooling on those machines so the end user CAN overclock if they want to or they are interested in the silence end of things.. Nobody in their right mind is going to max out a machine for sale due to warranty issues and longevity. OC is a roll of the dice in that sometimes you win and sometimes you crap out.

I thought it was a cute smiley. First time I used it, but if you prefer I could have used this one instead:


icon_risota.gif
 
Top Nurse said:
I thought it was a cute smiley. First time I used it, but if you prefer I could have used this one instead:


icon_risota.gif
Click to expand...

now thats a smily i like! its actually Rofl'ing

and i see the point you made in the other part of your post that i didnt quote, but still, if someones buying a premade rig, they probably wont be interested in safe/intellegent overclocking...
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
so then why not use 1/4th tubing instead of 3/8th. if they were about easy routing, they'd go with the easiest they could get.
Click to expand...

Because American watercooling gear IS setup for running 3/8" tubing. I like 6mm ID tubing as it works just fine for me, but others want bigger tubes so have at it. :D
 
penguin said:
Because 1/4" blocks and stuff are insanely overpriced. *cough*AC*cough*
Click to expand...

Actually 1/4" blocks can be had from a great many sources so you can choose the price point and performance you desire. Personally I think this size thing will eventually even out to the point that 8mm or 3/8" will become the standard. The 6mm size will still be done by the low-flow purists and the 7/16" and up will be done by the high-flow purists.
 
Wow I would not trust any barb without a hose clamp, I dont care if they say you dont need one or not, im not risking anything with my baby.
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
now thats a smily i like! its actually Rofl'ing

and i see the point you made in the other part of your post that i didnt quote, but still, if someones buying a premade rig, they probably wont be interested in safe/intellegent overclocking...
Click to expand...

Actually I think the watercooling market is pretty much settled out into two camps. The high flow max performance which I see akin to the Top Fuelers in car racing and the rest of the world that is more interested in silence and a reasonable OC. That should be obvious to anyone that takes the time to do a market survey of what is available for sale in the world.

Also, believe it or not, the people who have the bucks want the easy to use stuff that looks nice. No suprise there, heh?
 
Top Nurse said:
Actually I think the watercooling market is pretty much settled out into two camps. The high flow max performance which I see akin to the Top Fuelers in car racing and the rest of the world that is more interested in silence and a reasonable OC. That should be obvious to anyone that takes the time to do a market survey of what is available for sale in the world.

Also, believe it or not, the people who have the bucks want the easy to use stuff that looks nice. No suprise there, heh?
Click to expand...

id agree with it being segregated. all highflow-ers arent all for the huge 120x76mm delta loudest fans EVER rig. some of us are in the middle and some of us like silence. with pumps like the d5, which is near next to silent, rads like the Black Ice Pro series and the Thermochill PA series, and panaflo, coolermaster and low speed deltas, even the high flow user can have a silent watercooling setup that allows for the OC the user wants.

and most people with bucks want the nice looking best performing stuff, aka Rolls Royce and Mayback if we are using car analogies.
 
CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
alright guys....if im all wrong, then why do boutique shops use 3/8th tubing over 1/2in tubing?
Click to expand...

One reason many places use 3/8" is that they are using pre-made cooling kits. (Thermaltake and Koolance. The biggest tubes they offer is 3/8")

Also 1/2" is harder to work with. Going between two cards in SLI/ Crossfire can be a challenge not have a crimp in the line. Also larger tubes take up more space.

Finally there is cost. 1/2" tubing costs more. Not much more but when you build tons of systems it adds up. Say it is $10 a system times 100 systems a month.

BTW My systems are 1/2" tubing systems. So not all "boutique" shops are 3/8".

CCUABIDExORxDIE said:
id agree with it being segregated. all highflow-ers arent all for the huge 120x76mm delta loudest fans EVER rig. some of us are in the middle and some of us like silence. with pumps like the d5, which is near next to silent, rads like the Black Ice Pro series and the Thermochill PA series, and panaflo, coolermaster and low speed deltas, even the high flow user can have a silent watercooling setup that allows for the OC the user wants.

and most people with bucks want the nice looking best performing stuff, aka Rolls Royce and Mayback if we are using car analogies.
Click to expand...

This is the concept behind my systems. We use D5 pumps, Black Ice Rads and Coolermaster fans. The cooling system ends up allowing nice OCs and is quieter than the factory HSF that comes with the videocards and cpu. High water flow allows lower CFM fans.

Most people with the money want everything. Performance, looks and an exclusive setup coupled with good service.
 
i want it all. high flow, triple 120mm rad, beautiful copper/lucite blocks, silence.

thats why i bought a 1/2" Dangerden/Thermochill system again .

my first system way back then was also a 1/2" Dangerden system, made for the exact same reasons. a few of you guys remember "My Super Clean Water Cooled Dream Machine".
 
Liquid_Cooled said:
i want it all. high flow, triple 120mm rad, beautiful copper/lucite blocks, silence.

thats why i bought a 1/2" Dangerden/Thermochill system again .

my first system way back then was also a 1/2" Dangerden system, made for the exact same reasons. a few of you guys remember "My Super Clean Water Cooled Dream Machine".
Click to expand...

how could i forget it. it was the system that made me want watercooling.the blue liquid...it just setoff a watercooling bug in my system, and i just had to get that color or a color similar.

also, my upcoming setup is gonna be geared towards performance with mild noise. i might run the fans at 8v or so for the best balance of performance and noise.
 
I want it all too. Great temps, beautiful components, one triple 120mm fan rad and one double 80mm fan rad..

thats why I went aqua computer :)

To each their own.
 
J-M-E said:
I want it all too. Great temps, beautiful components, one triple 120mm fan rad and one double 80mm fan rad..

thats why I went aqua computer :)

To each their own.
Click to expand...
You've got both a 3x120 and a 2x80 radiator in your loop?
 
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