crumpet said:
Okay, I've been wondering this for a while now as I've wandered the forums...
A quiet/small wc loop for a midtower? possible? if so... point me in that parts-direction.
appreciate it.
radiator:
1 fan, internal: Thermochill PA160
2 fans = quieter, internal mount possible (measure your case and check against the rad specs): Swiftech MCP220, or Coolingworks CoolRad-32T, or Thermochill PA120.2
3 fans = even quieter, but you'll probably have to mount above the case with standoffs or cut out most of the floor: MCP320, or CoolRad-32T, or PA120.3
Here silence is at war with small size, but if you don't need high performance, any of the above radiators will work. I'd try to find room for at least the double rad, though, as it will allow you to run the fans at lower RPM.
Fan(s): Yate Loon D12SL-12. With the PA160, any rad in floor and fans in the top of the case, or a DIY shroud, you might try the 140mm D14SL-12 (not available in the US yet). You could also use the D14SM-12, but you'll have to run it at very low voltage.
Pump: DDC-1/MCP-350 with Alphacool or Petra's top or Robotech's DIY mod.
http://systemcooling.com/mcp350_mod-01.html
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?p=1440226
Or the DDC-2, which is slightly louder and higher in pitch but has enough performance that you could stay with the stock top. Note that these appear to be basically the same pump now, and by making one solder bridge the DDC-1 becomes a DDC-2, or by breaking the bridge the DDC-2 becomes a DDC-1.
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?p=5008937#post5008937
I'd hold off with any irreversible pump mods until you know for sure you've got a good one. Rumor has it there was a bad batch of the usually very reliable DDC's. However, anecdotal evidence and other rumors point the finger at the aftermarket tops.
CPU block: Swiftech Storm, Fuzion, or Apogee GT/GTX.
GPU block: Danger Den Maze4. Maze5 or Swiftech MCW60 will work well too.
Have fun.