What pump for my loop?

[FunkyFeatures]

Hi

I am going to most likely soon downgrade to a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX (yes ITX)

I have my loop mostly planned out, but I am still unsure about some things.

 

The pump:
I want it to be mounted in the basement, would I be able to fit a D5, and with which top would I want to put on? People just say Koolance, but I have no clue which one specifically.

My main goal is silence, but also SFF watercooling with PETG. How about the MCP50X? I heard it should be good, but quite loud under load - how does it compare to the D5?

 

Which one will be good enough (factoring in silence) for 2x SP30 Alphacool Radiators, Swiftech Apogee XL block, and some gpu block, a reservoir and then ofc the pump

[Oshino Shinobu]

A Vario D5 is the best option. They're fairly easy to mount almost anywhere and are very quiet when on speed settings 1 or 2. 

 

While the brand doesn't matter too much, as they're all Laing on the inside, it is a good idea to go with one with a aftermarket top so you can use G1/4 fittings. EK and Swiftech have some good offers for them, as well as D5/Res combo units. 

[FunkyFeatures]

A Vario D5 is the best option. They're fairly easy to mount almost anywhere and are very quiet when on speed settings 1 or 2. 

 

While the brand doesn't matter too much, as they're all Laing on the inside, it is a good idea to go with one with a aftermarket top so you can use G1/4 fittings. EK and Swiftech have some good offers for them, as well as D5/Res combo units. 

While I know the D5 is going to be the best of the best, I am unsure if it will fit in the basement of the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX, I know for sure I will not be able to fit a pump/res combo.

[Oshino Shinobu]

 

While I know the D5 is going to be the best of the best, I am unsure if it will fit in the basement of the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX, I know for sure I will not be able to fit a pump/res combo.

For smaller pumps, the DDC 3.2 12V is a fairly good choice. Swiftech sell it as a MCP350, and there are aftermarket top versions too. They are a fair bit louder than the Vario D5s, but they still perform pretty well and are much smaller. 

[FunkyFeatures]

For smaller pumps, the DDC 3.2 12V is a fairly good choice. Swiftech sell it as a MCP350, and there are aftermarket top versions too. They are a fair bit louder than the Vario D5s, but they still perform pretty well and are much smaller. 

Is there a way to make the D5 more compact then? I'd prefer a quiet watercooling system, and so far all the tops I've seen still has it a big pump.

https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-xtop-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump

Is there anything smaller, or does the D5 have to be that big? I am currently unsure if it will fit including the mounting bracket, fittings and such.

 

And again, I heard Koolance tops are the quietest, why are they, and which one should I get for quiet and compact use?

[Oshino Shinobu]

Is there a way to make the D5 more compact then? I'd prefer a quiet watercooling system, and so far all the tops I've seen still has it a big pump.

https://shop.ekwb.com/ek-xtop-revo-d5-pwm-incl-pump

Is there anything smaller, or does the D5 have to be that big? I am currently unsure if it will fit including the mounting bracket, fittings and such.

 

And again, I heard Koolance tops are the quietest, why are they, and which one should I get for quiet and compact use?

That EK one is about as small as you can get with a D5. 

 

There's really not a huge difference between the aftermarket pump tops. If it's a vario, it's so quiet at low speed settings that the different pump tops don't matter. 

[FunkyFeatures]

That EK one is about as small as you can get with a D5. 

 

There's really not a huge difference between the aftermarket pump tops. If it's a vario, it's so quiet at low speed settings that the different pump tops don't matter. 

So the Vario is quieter than the PWM?

I'd prefer a pump+top combo since I don't wanna accidently mount an O-Ring in the wrong place or something if I try and install a top

[Oshino Shinobu]

So the Vario is quieter than the PWM?

I'd prefer a pump+top combo since I don't wanna accidently mount an O-Ring in the wrong place or something if I try and install a top

The unit itself isn't actually quieter, but the PWM version will adjust its speed, so you're more likely to notice the pump noise. The Vario can be set to run at one speed, so if anything, it will be a background hum, so you won't notice it and it won't be annoying. 

[FunkyFeatures]

The unit itself isn't actually quieter, but the PWM version will adjust its speed, so you're more likely to notice the pump noise. The Vario can be set to run at one speed, so if anything, it will be a background hum, so you won't notice it and it won't be annoying. 

I guess the PWM will be semi-fixable by saying run x% from 0c to max temp (asus motherboards stop at 75)

I will be on the lookout for the vario - can you possibly help me find one from EKWB, Alphacool or other good brands?

[Oshino Shinobu]

I guess the PWM will be semi-fixable by saying run x% from 0c to max temp (asus motherboards stop at 75)

I will be on the lookout for the vario - can you possibly help me find one from EKWB, Alphacool or other good brands?

You can buy them directly from EKWB's shop. You would have to pay for shipping, though there's no extra tax as it's within Europe. 

[FunkyFeatures]

You can buy them directly from EKWB's shop. You would have to pay for shipping, though there's no extra tax as it's within Europe. 

Shipping fees are acceptable considering the cost of watercooling in the first place.

I can't seem to find a D5 Vario with a top installed. I can only see the PWM version