External Rad Box / Reliable Pump Suggestions?

[IEC]

Considering getting back into water cooling once AMD's Zen 8C/16T processors launch. I'm only looking to cool the CPU at the moment using a standard distilled water loop.

Questions:
1) Has anyone used or built an external rad box before? Reason: I'd like to have quick disconnects outside my case/in a PCI bracket allowing me to basically have a self-contained radiator/reservoir/pump box for easier maintenance.

2) For pumps, I am currently considering using an Eheim aquarium pump or similar as I've been less than impressed with hobby-grade pumps (I had a vario D5 die on me under light duty). Maybe a submersible unit like the Compact 600. Maybe two of them for redundancy. Suggestions?

3) What quick disconnect connectors to use? I see a lot of mixed reviews out there...

What parts I have lying around:
Swiftech MCR320-QP 3x120mm radiator
XSPC EX420 3x140mm radiator
(A lot) of Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm AP-14 fans
(A lot) of Swiftech Helix 140mm fans
Bunch of EK High-Flow fittings (G1/4 - 3/8" OD)
Various 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing
Silver kill coil

I suppose the cheapest solution would be to improvise using an old ATX case I've got lying around and turn that into the external watercooling box, but I wanted to see what other people have built/thought of. Thanks.

 

[Billb2]

I've used an Eheim (1048) for WCing. It was silent and going strong after 4 years. Not very powerful though.

As for QDCs, the best (ie. least restrictive) were soms Colder products 3/4", high flow ones.
HFC!2 - 3/4", Page 6

 

[IEC]

Thanks for the suggestion for CPC connectors. Looks like what I am looking for, something actually rated for industrial/scientific applications versus hobby grade junk.

 

[Billb2]

Note that the CPC fittings can be had with a no-leak feature too.
Most "computer" QDC fittings are tiny G1/4 threads, so they're very restrictive.

 

[EliteRetard]

If it weren't for noise concerns, you could get a pump that pushes ~50GPM at 10ft head for $100.
MORE POWER!

 

[MrTeal]

I'd hardly call Liang Thermotech hobby grade junk. The D5 pumps are primarily made to be used as recirculation pumps and installed in residential, commercial and industrial water systems where you'd install it once and last 20 years. If you want something beefier, consider the E10 as well. I have one and it's exceedingly quiet for it's if you can deal with it being AC. McMaster sells it for a reasonable price.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#circulating-pumps/=16gs7wj

I'd done submersible before, and it works quite well with the added benefit of muffling some high frequency pump noise. It's a bit of a pain in a case to make the custom reservoir, but if you can deal with that externally it'd be a great way to go.

The Colder QDCs are very nice, and for an external rad box where space is less of an issue they'd make an excellent choice.

 

[IEC]

After screwing around using a ATX chassis as an external rad box, I abandoned that idea for something much simpler, quieter, and cheaper:

Plastic storage crate $3
Paracord $2
Poster putty $0.50
Recycled aluminum food tray $0.00

Reservoir is a Alphacool dual pump unit I got on clearance and houses 2x Eheim 1000 pumps. They are AC powered and I've got them on GFCI plugs hooked into a UPS. Vibration transfer is almost negligible thanks to the paracord suspension. At 1000lph (100%) each the pumps are a bit noisy so I will opt to run them between 60-80% instead (need a little more testing to determine optimum).