[SexyMF]

I'm about to try a 172W TEC in my passive watercooling rig. Water is great at removing heat. Radiators work well shifting large temperature differentials. I anticipate my heatercore will get toasty hot but the TEC will hold a sufficient temperature standoff from the CPU.

So, no I don't think TECs require large fast fans just adequate watercooling to take the heat away to your radiator.