Tell me why I'm wrong (or Splitting Water Flow)

[TruckChase!]

If my water cooling system is based off 3/8" ID tubing and I want to split the flow to cover both my vid card and CPU, am I correct in assuming that when I split one 3/8" to two 3/8" that the two would have insufficient water flow and subsequently contain alot of air? I've always assumed this would be the case, but in a different forum a few people claim that there would still be no air in the system and it would work just fine.

There's an illustration attached (my awesome mspaint skills :rolleyes: )



Even if it didn't have any air tho, I also assume it would cut the flow rate in half for each component. I wonder what would yeild better performance?

................................/---GPU---\
pump--radiator--split ------
................................\---CPU---/

or

pump--radiator--CPU--GPU--

Obviously, the first would distribute even cooling between the two components and the latter would favor the CPU. I guess I'm wondering if it's worth water cooling the GPU if it's getting the hot water coming off of the CPU anyhow.

Any ideas?

[Dissolved]

well id go with the second idea, but if u have the stuff, u could always try both and see what works better..

[Diggrr]

I'm running splitters right now, temps are fine.
I have a northbridge block that doesn't have flow as good as the cpu block. Running them inline slowed the system down, so I put in splitters on the feed and return lines. The straight side of the 'T' goes to the CPU, and the perpendicular leg goes to the n.b. This way the flow tends to 'favor' the cpu.

Air won't get into the system unless you have a leak on the suction side of the pump. Maybe someone told you this 'cause they did have a leak (for some reason t's aren't made very well, and don't seal as well) but hose clamps will fix this. My hose fits very very tight, and I don't have to use clamps at all.

If you could get a hold of 'Y' shaped splitters, that would favor equal and straighter flow to each block. You tend to lose flow when you turn corners.

Does this dribble make any sence? I should mention that I have a 250gph pump, so it can keep two 3/8 lines flowing well. I wouldn't count on a little rio being so lucky.