[JWFokker]

I would go with an externally mounted radiator, as I'm a big proponent of using the largest radiator possible, which precludes it from fitting inside a case. However, if you did use one that could fit inside a case, there's no real detriment to putting the heat back into the case. Your CPU temperature will be pretty much unaffected by the case temperature because you're no longer cooling it with air from inside the case. Put the radiator at the intake and you'll always have fresh air passing through the radiator, which is the only really important aspect of choosing where you mount the radiator. Sure, your PSU and mobo mosfets and video card might be a couple degrees warmer. But it's not as if your PSU and mosfets are that temperature sensitive. And these days it's not really worth it to overclock the video card, so I don't see that as a concern either.

That said, I have a 13"x13" radiator sitting on the floor below my case, with the side panel off and tubing running between the two. The only tangible benefit to having an external radiator is the option to use a larger one. And I suppose ease of access as well.

Oh, and as for forum inactivity, it's because there's just not that much going on in the watercooling industry right now. The biggest news as of late was the Storm design being produced by Swiftech, which isn't really big news considering it's not the first time Cathar's designs have been purchased (or ripped off) by a waterblock manufacturer. It is nice though, knowing that I can buy a replacement Storm from Swiftech for my original G4 should I choose to, and it'll cost me less. Barring some revolutionary development, waterblock design has reached the point of diminishing returns it seems. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, I was thinking to myself, "When is a new waterblock going to come out? I need something to satiate my upgraditis. And it's been nigh on forever since I last bought new watercooling hardware." I really hope something important happens soon, or I might start thinking crazy thoughts, like going with a phase change system. Hell, I'm already eyeing up peltiers, and it's disturbing. Why do I need more cooling when I could just upgrade my hardware? I don't know.