1/2" ClearFLEX vs 3/8" Tygon

Got KarmA? · 07-29-2003, 11:32 PM

I have 1/2" barbs all around the system. But based on other people's feedback ... when you're working with multiple blocks in a syste, 3/8" tubing is much easier to work with and will be harder to kink and have tighter bend radius.

I give up on my 1/2" ClearFLEX. Much better than any tubing I've used prior (silicone, that shit SUCKED) ... but unfortunately still prone to kinking in my tight applications (CPU, Vid card, and northbridge). the bends are what get it.

First off ... will I get much tighter bend radius's simply by going to 3/8"? Also ... is Tygon that much better than the ClearFLEX that it warrants the incredibe price difference per foot?

Here's how tight its all gonna be:

the main problem point I've found is from the videocard to the northbridge. It will either kink entirely or simply cut flow a large amount by "flattening out."

Lastly ... should I just stick with 1/2" tubing and use 90 and 45 degree bends? Is that better than moving to 3/8" with tight radius turns, or still much too restrictive and harsh on the pump?

tdloc · 07-30-2003, 12:06 AM

One thing I just noticed today is that there are different types of Tygon 1/2" ID tubing that are made of the same material. (See my post from a few minutes ago in this forum on that subject)

I'm finding the stuff with 1/8" walls is really hard to work with when dealing with a similar situation as you: tight bends between the CPU, NorthBridge, and video card. I'd hate to be dealing with ClearFlex, which I understand is harder to deal with.

I'm planning to take all my hoses out this week and try to come up with a better flow path. Right now, I can't mount the pump in a good spot, and I'm facing the same dilemna... Do I put some elbows in, use different tubing, or can I find a better flow path that will allow the hoses to fit in the case better?

Got KarmA? · 07-30-2003, 07:39 AM

Yeh, about that 1/8"ID ... as far as I know thats pretty much a requirement if you're going to work in tight spots since it helps prevent kinks ... but I was hoping the Tygon might have been a bit more forviging around the bends than this ClearFLEX which has proven to be quite stubborn.

Another problem is the fact that I don't know if I'd be able to find 90 degree bends that would be relaxed enough now to kill flow. I think there are some out there, but they're copper and quite ugly. I'm trying to keep the interconnects to a minimum but whatever I must do, I must do.

Giblet Plus! · 07-31-2003, 12:40 AM

I'd just drop down to 3/8" ID. The barbs in your system already have a true ID of about 3/8" - it won't hurt performance that badly.

Got KarmA? · 07-31-2003, 12:44 AM

err ... I believe the barbs are actually true 1/2" ID, but I know 3/8th fits over 1/2" ID barbs.

I'm just worried about whether or not its worth the flow-rate cuts

Giblet Plus! · 07-31-2003, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Got KarmA?
err ... I believe the barbs are actually true 1/2" ID, but I know 3/8th fits over 1/2" ID barbs.

Are you sure they're really 1/2" ID? I bet they're a little smaller.

Got KarmA? · 07-31-2003, 12:20 PM

no, all barbs I purchased were rated as 1/2" ID ... not 1/2" OD, in which case the would be a bit smaller.

nikhsub1 · 07-31-2003, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Got KarmA?
err ... I believe the barbs are actually true 1/2" ID, but I know 3/8th fits over 1/2" ID barbs.

I'm just worried about whether or not its worth the flow-rate cuts

No, wrong. 1/2" Barbs are 3/8" ID. Unless you have 5/8" OD barbs, you don't have 1/2" ID.

Got KarmA? · 07-31-2003, 12:52 PM

err ... even though they were directly specified as 1/2 INSIDE DIAMETER?

Giblet Plus! · 07-31-2003, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Got KarmA?
err ... even though they were directly specified as 1/2 INSIDE DIAMETER?

Feel free to get out a ruler and prove us wrong.

07-29-2003, 11:32 PM	#1
Got KarmA? Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Too far from Canada ... Posts: 95	1/2" ClearFLEX vs 3/8" Tygon I have 1/2" barbs all around the system. But based on other people's feedback ... when you're working with multiple blocks in a syste, 3/8" tubing is much easier to work with and will be harder to kink and have tighter bend radius. I give up on my 1/2" ClearFLEX. Much better than any tubing I've used prior (silicone, that shit SUCKED) ... but unfortunately still prone to kinking in my tight applications (CPU, Vid card, and northbridge). the bends are what get it. First off ... will I get much tighter bend radius's simply by going to 3/8"? Also ... is Tygon that much better than the ClearFLEX that it warrants the incredibe price difference per foot? Here's how tight its all gonna be: the main problem point I've found is from the videocard to the northbridge. It will either kink entirely or simply cut flow a large amount by "flattening out." Lastly ... should I just stick with 1/2" tubing and use 90 and 45 degree bends? Is that better than moving to 3/8" with tight radius turns, or still much too restrictive and harsh on the pump?

07-30-2003, 12:06 AM	#2
tdloc Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kansas City Posts: 9	One thing I just noticed today is that there are different types of Tygon 1/2" ID tubing that are made of the same material. (See my post from a few minutes ago in this forum on that subject) I'm finding the stuff with 1/8" walls is really hard to work with when dealing with a similar situation as you: tight bends between the CPU, NorthBridge, and video card. I'd hate to be dealing with ClearFlex, which I understand is harder to deal with. I'm planning to take all my hoses out this week and try to come up with a better flow path. Right now, I can't mount the pump in a good spot, and I'm facing the same dilemna... Do I put some elbows in, use different tubing, or can I find a better flow path that will allow the hoses to fit in the case better?

07-30-2003, 07:39 AM	#3
Got KarmA? Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Too far from Canada ... Posts: 95	Yeh, about that 1/8"ID ... as far as I know thats pretty much a requirement if you're going to work in tight spots since it helps prevent kinks ... but I was hoping the Tygon might have been a bit more forviging around the bends than this ClearFLEX which has proven to be quite stubborn. Another problem is the fact that I don't know if I'd be able to find 90 degree bends that would be relaxed enough now to kill flow. I think there are some out there, but they're copper and quite ugly. I'm trying to keep the interconnects to a minimum but whatever I must do, I must do.

07-31-2003, 12:40 AM	#4
Giblet Plus! Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Victoria, MN Posts: 23	I'd just drop down to 3/8" ID. The barbs in your system already have a true ID of about 3/8" - it won't hurt performance that badly.

07-31-2003, 12:44 AM	#5
Got KarmA? Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Too far from Canada ... Posts: 95	err ... I believe the barbs are actually true 1/2" ID, but I know 3/8th fits over 1/2" ID barbs. I'm just worried about whether or not its worth the flow-rate cuts

07-31-2003, 12:20 PM	#7
Got KarmA? Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Too far from Canada ... Posts: 95	no, all barbs I purchased were rated as 1/2" ID ... not 1/2" OD, in which case the would be a bit smaller.

07-31-2003, 12:52 PM	#9
Got KarmA? Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Too far from Canada ... Posts: 95	err ... even though they were directly specified as 1/2 INSIDE DIAMETER?

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