1/2" and 3/8" please explain.

[Borisw37]

I am about to buy a White Water block for the CPU and it comes with different size barbs, 1/2" and 3/8", what size tubing do i need to fit these barbs.
is it
1/2" barb fits 1/2" Outside diameter tubing?
3/8" barb fits 3/8" Outside diamater tubing?

Would you recomend geting a Aluminum or Poly (clear) top?
Clear looks much nicer, but has anybody had WW leak?

[Giblet Plus!]

1/2" barbs are for 1/2" ID tubing, although you can easily fit 3/8" ID over them. I see no reason at all to get a block with 3/8" barbs.

I haven't heard of problems with the WWR plexi top. I would get what you like best.

[themodguy]

It depends on what you are tubing your watercooling system up to. If you have 1/2" outlets on your rad and pump you will may want to tube your system up with 1/2" ID x 5/8" OD tubing(1/16" wall thickness tubing) or more commonly 1/2"ID x 3/4" OD tubing (1/8" wall thickness you would want to go with the 1/2" barbs.

1/2" barb fits 1/2" Inside diameter tubing?
3/8" barb fits 3/8" Inside diamater tubing?

as for al or clear I can not answer that

themodguy

[Raider84]

if you had a 3/8" system, would it make sense to get a 1/2" rad? Would it reduce restriction, im thinking long term and i most likely will upgrade to a 1/2" system sooner or later.

[R.Rabbit]

actually sence 1/2" barbs are measured in outer diameter their inside diameter is 3/8", witch is the same at 3/8" id tubing but i'd suggest getting 1/2" tubing anyhow cus it's less of a pain and i think im getting worse temps with 3/8" id tubing.

[cupidr17]

i belive 1/2 id gives better flow and in turn more efficient cooling