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Tube gauge question

A

artaq

n00b
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
8
I apologize if this has already been addressed, but is there a major difference in what gauge your tubes are in regards to how well your system is cooled? I have noticed several screenshots of comps using a very thick gauge tube, vs several i have seen with much thinner tubing. Any insight into this would be appreciated!
 
Now you've gone and done it!

can_o_worms.gif
 
its personal preference, some use 1/4" tubing some use 3/8" some 7/16" while others 1/2". none have necessarily been proven to cool better than the others as there as more factors than just tube size that factor in, like blocks used, pumps, rads, and others.

the question shouldnt be what cools the best, but what components should i use to maximize my cooling.

personally i prefer 7/16" masterkleer tubing. small footprint with a larger bore, i like the looks of it and i like the amount of water it holds.


my $0.02, also the post above is so true.
 
Thanks for the input, sorry I didn't realize it was that engaging of an arguement :) . I definately agree with your post Introvert; my current WC config I believe uses 3/8' and I am content with it's performance. I guess my question was more in line with it being generally better to push more water through a larger tube at a slower rate, or push less water through a thinner tube at a faster rate, and if there were any pro's or con's to each method. Thanks for the input guys; please, no flame wars! :p
 
not tryin' to thread steal but mysterae where did you get the pic of the can of worms and can i use it
tom
 
tommrussell said:
not tryin' to thread steal but mysterae where did you get the pic of the can of worms and can i use it
tom
Click to expand...

I just googled with 'picture can of worms', there's plenty more where that one came from!
 
SMALL BORE SUCKS, BIG BORE ROCKS!!!!

Just kidding.

It's all about what works best in your setup. I use 1/2", and my pump can handle it, but honestly the width of the tubes is starting to bug me. I'll be switching to 7/16" masterkleer soon, as it seems like a nice combination of flow and aesthetics/space management.

It's hard to prove that big bore has better performance vs small bore or whatever, as someone already said. I would personally choose to err on the side of large tubing and a powerful pump with plenty of head pressure. But some people do just fine with small bore.
 
The SystemCooling Aquacomputer review showed that by simply changing the tubing from 6mm (1/4") to 12mm (3/8") that it netted them a 3C reduction in temperatures. In the watercooling world where top systems are separated by less than that...I would say it is a measureable difference.

Yes tubing size does matter. If you want performance choose the largest tubing you are willing to use and can route easily enough.
 
Thanks for all the good insight. I do find the thinner tubes to be more easily manageable, but in the future I might upgrade to a slightly thicker guaged tube to push more liquid through as several have previously stated. My case is quite large, so I'm sure with some "creative" workarounds it might be possible!
 
Erasmus354 said:
The SystemCooling Aquacomputer review showed that by simply changing the tubing from 6mm (1/4") to 12mm (3/8") that it netted them a 3C reduction in temperatures. In the watercooling world where top systems are separated by less than that...I would say it is a measureable difference.

Yes tubing size does matter. If you want performance choose the largest tubing you are willing to use and can route easily enough.
Click to expand...

Yes, but I believe you pointed out that if they had OC'ed the pump and used a more suitable RAd the results would have been different.
 
theseeker said:
Yes, but I believe you pointed out that if they had OC'ed the pump and used a more suitable RAd the results would have been different.
Click to expand...

The kit would have performed better as a whole yes. It wouldn't have changed the fact that there is a marked improvement when increasing the tubing size. Add a better radiator and temps go down with both 1/4" and 3/8" tubing. Increase the flow and temps go down with both 3/8" and 1/4". In the end the 3/8" will still show an improvement over the 1/4" tubing, and that is what this thread is about, not how well the AC kit improved. I was merely using it as an example of proof for those that dont believe in physics.
 
Introvert said:
none have necessarily been proven to cool better than the others as there as more factors than just tube size that factor in, like blocks used, pumps, rads, and others.
Click to expand...

erm, yes, yes it has. Its been proven many times, theres thermal/fluid engineering principles on it, for gods sake. The question is HOW MUCH, not IF.
3/8ths, imo, is about the sweetspot for usability vs performance with modern gear.
 
Cathar once suggested using 7/16 tubing. I'll be putting together my WC gear in a day or two....is it worth it over 3/8" tubing that my aquatube is forced to use?
 
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