1/4" waterblock used with 3/8" tubing setup?

[Fluxer]

Would a waterblock designed to work with 1/4" tubing be able to work well with 3/8" tubing, radiator, and Eheim 1048 pump on a pentium 4?

I am asking this because I will probably be buying the Swiftech which uses 3/8" tubing but if I can use my 3/8" tubing setup with a waterblock designed for 1/4" tubing then I will be getting the new Koolance CPU-200 waterblock. The new Koolance cpu waterblock is extremely easy to mount on a socket, weights to almost nothing, and has a copper base coated with silver!

Please answer this soon so I can order my stuff ... Thanks

 

[Iron Hawk]

yeah it should work, keep in mind though that you will most likely end up with les gph because of the reductions. also make sure that the tubing is clamped very tightly over the WB. You may wish to get an adapter, so you have:

3/8 tubing
adapter
just a little bit of 1/4 tubing
waterblock
1/4
adapter
3/8

 

[Fluxer]

Yea, it may also have a postitive effect as well, a transition from 3/8" to 1/4" may create some turbulence in the waterblock and keep the water in there a little longer to pick up more heat! If anyone finds anything wrong with this then feel free to reply )

 

[Fluxer]

Anyone know where I could get an adapter for 3/8" to 1/4" and possibly 1/4" tubing if I need it? Would be great if I could just hook the adapter directly to the waterblock but maybe not.

 

[Aesik]

Yea, it may also have a postitive effect as well, a transition from 3/8" to 1/4" may create some turbulence in the waterblock and keep the water in there a little longer to pick up more heat! If anyone finds anything wrong with this then feel free to reply )

In nearly every case I've seen, the reduction in volumetric flow rate is more detrimental than the increased turbulence. Remember if the flow is restricted, the velocity decreased, Reynolds number goes down (thus turbulence level is reduced), etc.

You do NOT want water to stay in the block and "pick up more heat". In NO case is this the better way. For the block, the faster the better, period.

 

[Iron Hawk]

Yeah i never thought of the turbulance factor. thats some good thinking

Check HomeDepot or Lowes in the plumbing section. These are semi-odd sizes for most uses so they may not have any, but the should be able to tell you where else you might find them in your area. (not HomeDepot staff will never tell you to go to lowes though)

 

[Iron Hawk]

This should work!:

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=26488-104-A109/PB962RP

 

[Fluxer]

Hmm, I think i'm willing to try the Koolance waterblock with my 3/8" tubing though. I really want to try out the Koolance waterblock. The Koolance block + 1 foot of 1/4" tubing and a small adaptor are not too expensive, i'll see how it turns out and post the results.

I was going to go with the Swiftech but this is what I think I will be setting up:

Koolance CPU-200 Waterblock
3/8" tubing with small area of 1/4" tubing for waterblock
Eheim 1048 pump
Heater Core radiator

Thanks for the help.

 

[Iron Hawk]

get 2 of the adapters so you can convert back to 3/8 to get the water into the raditor or pump or whatever come next.

 

[Fluxer]

Yea, i'll post my results. I like the setup with the Koolance but I know I wont have any problems with the Swiftech, i'll have to see.