[bigben2k]

Ok so we have:

1- flow restriction vs pressure and turbulence
2- flow path length vs backpressure
3- base plate thickness vs heat spreading / resistance / capacity
4- channel cross section shape vs manufacturing costs
5- channel pathway for optimal cooling (crossflow ?) vs flow path length and restriction
6- inlet / outlet placement and multiple inlets or outlets ?
7- flow path complexity (surface area) vs manufacturability and efficiency
8- channel shape vs liquid properties (glycol, methanol, WW, etc...)

-Let's ignore #4 for now.
-Let's forgo the manifold #6 for now, we can tackle it later.
-I think #7 refers to a combination of #1, 2 and 4, as well as the possibility of manufacturing. Let's toss that out too, for now!
-For #8, let's stick to water (for effective purposes) for now, but I'd like to include "windshield wiper fluid".

We're left with:
1- flow restriction vs pressure and turbulence
2- flow path length vs backpressure
3- base plate thickness vs heat spreading / resistance / capacity
5- channel pathway for optimal cooling (crossflow ?) vs flow path length and restriction
8- channel shape vs liquid properties of water (or wiper fluid)

Let's assume for cost purposes, that we're talking about copper. Unless someone believe that a silver plating would make any kind of difference.

Does that include everything?

Put aside for now:
4- channel cross section shape vs manufacturing costs
6- inlet / outlet placement and multiple inlets or outlets ?
7- flow path complexity (surface area) vs manufacturability and efficiency