Hose barb fittings and apparatuses described herein provide increased fluid-flow rates for cooling loops used for thermal control in computer system. A hose barb fitting comprises a fluid-flow passage that extends through the hose barb fitting from a first opening to a second opening. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the fluid-flow passage to the cross-sectional area of the hose barb fitting is between 0.4 and 0.7, inclusive. When the hose barb fitting is fully seated within a housing structure, a specialized gasket acts as both a radial seal and a face seal. Also, a flange extending from the housing structure engages with a flange extending from the hose barb fitting to prevent the hose barb fitting from being unseated.