tubing screw up. am I hosed?

[Magictoaster_v2]

Pun intended. Anyways I ordered some more stuff from DD about a week ago to redo my WC setup, and while I was ordering my tubing I accidentily ordered 3/8 inch tubing instead of 1/2 inch which is what I had befor. When my package arrived I realized what I did but I have not reordered any new tubing because I figured I might try this anyways.

I found that with a little bit of pushing I can get the 3/8 tubing to stretch over all of my 1/2inch fittings and this was with out boiling it. Did I mention that I am useing tygon? Any ways the 3/8 tube is a lot easier to fit in the case and makes the bends a lot easier than the 1/2 inch tube I had befor.

So despite the fact that it is a pain to get on the fittings it does make setup easier on the whole, however, if I am going to see a big drop in performance I will switch back to 1/2 inch tubing.

Set up includes
home made res.
to a mcp600 pump
to a BIX 3
to a DD RBX (the threee hose one not the TDX)
to a DD maze4 GPU block
to a DD zchip block (I am still not sure if I am actually putting this block in. I already own it but not shure if the mcp600 will like the extra resistance. The optional replacement is a theramal right NB1C which I also own)
back to the res.

So is my 3/8 tubing going to be a problem? Also maybe I should note that the radiator has 6 fans all undervolted and I would guess that they are pushing about 60-70cfm apiece and are pretty quiet. I am mentioning this because my goal was to have a relativly quit computer not all out performance. If I wanted all out performance I would switch back to my 120cfm sunons and get a bigger pump.

Sorry for the lack of structure in my post but its late.
cheers
Nicholas

[voigts]

You probably wouldn't notice much if any difference worth shaking a stick at. 1/2" really only becomes an issue when you are using high flow rates. 1/2" barbs have a 3/8" opening diameter. So stretching 3/8" over 1/2" barbs just keeps the ID size consistent. I do the same thing by using 5/8" barbs with 1/2" id tubing. I would leave it alone and change it in the next setup if you want to.

[adamwinn]

with an mcp600 you shouldn't have any problems running 3/8ths. your water velocity will actually increase, but your total flowrate might decrease - depending on how the tradeoff goes, you might see slightly better or slightly worse performance.
my guess? 1 to 2* difference at most.

i say turn it on and check the temps :D

[rogerdugans]

Experimenting is fun. :)

I have actually bought varying sizes of tube on purpose just to try stuff like that out. :)

I am willing to bet that UNLESS you are pushing the system right to the ragged edge of its abilities then the 3/8" tubing will work fine. Perhaps a bit warmer than with 1/2" tube, but not a 20c increase, by any means.

I would definitely try the stuff, since you have it, and see how it does.
Worst case is you have to get 1/2" and re-tube again.

And let us know what you find while mucking with it, man: while I have screwed with various sizes and setups, no two are exactly alike.