- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Location
- Cranberry Twp. PA
Let me start by saying that this thread isn't to start a debate about big tubing vs. small tubing. There's enough of that over at proforums right now. I don't want an argument but rather would like some insight by people who have tried this before and have definate results. Please, if you don't have physical experience with this then please don't input opinion.
After examining the different fittings involved with watercooling, I noticed that the internal diameter of most of them was 3/8". I'm sure almost everyone has noticed this. This size means that only so much liquid can travel through the fitting at a given time - less than a fitting with 1/2" id. Also, I think it can be assumed that the amount of flow in a system is limited to the flow through the point of most resistance, which could be the small id fittings.
The obvious choice would be to use bigger fittings, right? Wrong. Some fittings can't be replaced as the tap'd holes can't be enlargened at all. This is evident when you look at cpu, northbridge, and gpu block's fittings. Other fittings can be made bigger: tee if used, pump inlet and output.
Now, if I were to streach 3/8" id tubing over the 3/8" id fitting, wouldn't I in theory get the same amount of flow? I am aware of a few people on this forum that have actually done this and my question is this: Is there any performance hit when using 3/8"id tubing streached over 1/2"id (3/8" interlan fitting diameter) fittings?
After examining the different fittings involved with watercooling, I noticed that the internal diameter of most of them was 3/8". I'm sure almost everyone has noticed this. This size means that only so much liquid can travel through the fitting at a given time - less than a fitting with 1/2" id. Also, I think it can be assumed that the amount of flow in a system is limited to the flow through the point of most resistance, which could be the small id fittings.
The obvious choice would be to use bigger fittings, right? Wrong. Some fittings can't be replaced as the tap'd holes can't be enlargened at all. This is evident when you look at cpu, northbridge, and gpu block's fittings. Other fittings can be made bigger: tee if used, pump inlet and output.
Now, if I were to streach 3/8" id tubing over the 3/8" id fitting, wouldn't I in theory get the same amount of flow? I am aware of a few people on this forum that have actually done this and my question is this: Is there any performance hit when using 3/8"id tubing streached over 1/2"id (3/8" interlan fitting diameter) fittings?