whats better 3/8 or 1/2 watercooling tubing?

[xvi3tsoljahx]

im just wondering... since lots of people have different tubings im just seeing what sup. Anyone know where i can get waterpumps where they will accept money orders? i want a via aqua 1300 hopefully one withpreassble 1/2 tubing

[TruckChase!]

Bigger opening=less resistance, which is always good, so if you're building from scratch you should probably go with 1/2.

With that being said, I'm running 2 waterblocks and 2 radiators with an ehiem 1250 pump on 3/8" inch tubing with plenty of flow rate, so 1/2 isn't necessary if your pump is strong enough. Not necessary, but still prefered.

[Al666]

The fittings on the block is more important than tubing ID, 'cause more restrictive. I suggest you to get 1/2"OD fittings on the block and 3/8" ID silicone tubing. 3/8"ID tubing fits snugly over 1/2"OD fittings, and you don't even need to use clamps.
The inside diameter of 1/2"OD is 3/8" anyways.

But if you are planning to use Tygon 3603 or PVC (vinyl) tubing (PVC tubing is strongly not recommended) then you should go with 1/2"OD fittings and 1/2"ID tubing, 'cause unlike silicone even Tygon R3603 is not flexible enough to fit over 1/2"OD barbed fittings on the block.

[eh?]

you don't really need 1/2 tubing unless you gonna use a pelt or two, just stay with 3/8 if simple watercooling is all you intend to do

[JFettig]

3/8 is easier to work around, a lot easier, and doesnt kink as easily...
i use 1/2od copper pipe as my hosebarbs so i got 0 restriction thru those, the id is bigger than the id of the hose..

[xvi3tsoljahx]

if i buy a pump that does 1/2 and a waterblock that 3/8 will it still work? Hey masked geek can you tell me how to make a heatercore from stuff i can get from kragen?

[JFettig]

a heatercore is a heater element of a car... whats kragen?

and it would be a huge bottleneck to have 3/8 and half inch..

[xvi3tsoljahx]

hmm kragen is like pepboys autozone... etc etc... im really new to watercooling so im all confused out =\

edit: i meant how can i make it so i can use it as a radiator for my computer... i have a midcased so i might have to put it on top of my case like the mod i seen

http://www.procooling.com/articles/html/how_to_mount_a_radiator_to_yer.shtml