Using Rad Drain port as outlet port - Best Tubing size and fittings for looks

[Brj]

Hello all,

This is my first water cooling build, am gona water cool both CPU and GPU, in corsair 900D case, Green UV Tubes.

All parts are selected, no issues till now, but, i never saw a water cooled system live in front of me, all are from the forums and google images.

My questions:

1-The EK-CoolStream RAD XTX (360) has four ports on one side, to be used as in/out combination and one drain port on the other side. can i use that drain port to be my outlet port?

2-Which tube size best look in such case? i know it is personal preference but as i said i never saw water cooled system, first to dare among my friends , i am not sure since if i go with 3/8"-1/2" they might not look .... awesome .... the 1/2" - 3/4" might look bulky ... dunno honestly .... your opinion guys is appreciated.


My first time planning a water cooling, expect more questions to come.

Appreciate your help guys.

PS: i cannot modify my PC specs on this forum through my profile, it is non editable, dunno why?

 

[rubix_1011]

The fill/drain port isn't going to offer you the best cooling or flow potential since it is on the far end of your I/O ports. You'd essentially be creating a cross-flow rad and only with tubes with flow on one side of the rad. Seems highly inefficient considering the potential that rad has.

You're meaning the fill port on the 'top' of the rad, correct? This guy:

 

[Brj]

Thanks Rubix for your explanation, yup i exactly meant that guy in your photo.

I was figuring my loop as the tube goes in, in one end and then out from the other end of the rad, dunno, am just imagining it as a better design.

Can you give me your opinion on the tube size? (looks point of view).

 

[rubix_1011]

Yeah, if you setup your in/out in that manner, you aren't going to take advantage of the radiator in terms of cooling potential. You're basically handicapping it as a straight-through/cross-flow design without the benefit of the radiator tubes on the far side.

I've used both 1/2" ID 5/8" OD as well as 3/8" ID and 1/2" OD and as far as flow goes, there isn't much discernible difference as far as performance or restriction goes. As for looks, that is also kind of up to you. Bigger tubing does require a bit more room and you have to take bends into account (if needed). In my current build, since it is mITX, there isn't much room to begin with, so I went with 3/8" ID 1/2" OD and have been really happy with it. For all other builds, I used 1/2" ID. Tubing size isn't a huge deal when you are speaking in terms of 3/8" ID and larger so it really is a matter of preference. Only thing I suggest is make sure you use tubing with thicker walls rather than thin walls if you can. This helps with kinks and tubing collapse.

 

[Brj]

Great, thanks for the time and effort, Appreciate. now i got your point regarding straight-through, (excuse my NOOB- ESM , am new to such items), so water will pass directly from inlet port and headed to the drain/fill port without going through the whole maze of those thin fins, i guess.

For tubing I am gona go with 1/2" ID 3/4" OD, am using 900D, received on Tuesday.

Thanks again Rubix, i learned something new today

 

[rubix_1011]

Basically, you run into 2 different radiator designs: cross flow and dual pass. Dual pass is the most common and will cool a little better than a cross flow rad due to the rate and turbulence at which water runs through the fins at only 1/2 the side at a time, rather than all in a single direction. Turbulent, fast flow creates more contact with surface area over the same radiator size, therefore allowing more dissipation to the tube metal, the fins and ultimately, the ambient air.

Essentially, with your idea above, you'd create a cross flow 'type' radiator, but would only be a straight through and only on half of your rad tubes. The other side would still fill, but it would basically become a dead end with very little flow or movement.

 

[Brj]

Thanks again for all the information, i wanted to post another question on the RAD, bu i needed to post a photo, and the way TOM's posting photos is not convenient , i have enough accounts to fill another A3 paper 😀

 

[rubix_1011]

Meaning, image hosting sites? That's how most forums handle images, not as a direct upload.