|
|
This page has been provided to help shed some light on the importance of each type of device that is commonly installed in or available for today's computers.
Cooling Technologies
>> Need a Cooler?
With the shear power and speed of today's processors comes the added responsibility of ensuring that the entire system operates at an ambient temperature.1
Fighting the battle against heat, manufacturers and integrators, such as OMIT, employ several cooling technologies in the case and attached to components:
- Thermal Case Fans - The easiest way to remove warm air is to use well-placed fans. Following the Laws of Physics which dictates that warm air rises, the modus operendi of installers is to put the intake fan low in the front of the case and the exhaust fan high and on the insude, back wall. However, as seemingly simple as fans are, they introduce one important side-effect -- noise. Typically, the hotter a system gets, the louder the fans get. This effect has been countered lately with the advent of double and triple ball bearing motors, "edge" motors (the motor is positioned at the corners of the fan) and variable speed sensing fans. Nevertheless, expect some sound from the rapidly spinning blades as processor speeds increase. Or go for number 4.
- Processor-Mounted Fans/heat sinks - VERY critical! These fans are directly mounted on a heatsink block, which is attached to the CPU, graphic processor (GPU) or other powerful chip. Heat from the processor is conducted through the heatsink, which in turn dissipates it via the fan. The warm air rises away from the processor where it can be easily evacuated by the main exhaust fan or other cooling tool (see 1 or 4). Running a system without the processor heatsink/fan is a guarantees ticket to meltdown, so make sure your is securely fastened.
- Thermal Compound/Grease or Thermal Pads - A small blob of this lotion-type gel between the processor heat plate and the heat sink ensures that heat is efficiently transferred. Without it, warm air will build up in the tiny gap or crevasses (tenths of a millimeter is enough) thus reducing the effectiveness of the heatsink. Remember to always replace the grease or pads whenever the heatsink is removed and never, ever smear the compound, affix the heatsink over it in one direct motion.
- Water Coolers - Oooh! How cool! These new fridged bad-boys work much like the radiator in your car. A pump forces cool water through flexible lines across the processor, through a fan/radiator and back to the pump. Verrrry efficient. However, water coolers, no matter how ideal they are at removing heat, are more expensive and consume more space than a standard processor fan/heatsink. If you are ready for them or are pulling out the fire extinguisher whenever you run your fan-cooled box, go for it.
- Hard Drive Coolers - Similar in function to the processor fan/heatsink unit, the hard drive cooler works to remove unwanted heat from busy hard drives. They are commonly placed either under or beside the subject drive for optimal cooling.
- Side Panel Fans - Just a fan set attached to the inside of the case's side access panel (the left one looking straight at the front of the tower). Because the fan is placed in line over the core components, air is drawn from the processor and video card through holes in the panel and out. Some system integrators use the opportunity to design logos into the vent. Why not? Holes in the panel would look tacky, right?
- Thermal Sensors and System Monitors - Software in the BIOS or operating system that checks the ambient and internal temperatures, fan speeds, air pressure and other environmental factors.
1 Temperature is only one consideration in overall system maintenance. Other factors such as environmental dust, sunlight, vibrations, altitude and humidity all play vital roles in keeping a happy computer.
Related:
Processors
Cases
|
OM Group:
Monetcorp |
S² Software |
Sygnit |
Caduceus MMS |
Teknidome Gaming Center
All prices listed are in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice.
OMIT is not responsible for typographical errors found on this site.
Shipping, handling and taxes are extra where applicable.
All sales are subject to our Refund and Return Policy and General Terms and Conditions.
Promotional offers and prices are available for a limited time.
PCHelper is a trademark of OMIT, Inc.
All OMIT personal computers use genuine Microsoft® Windows® or Linux® Operating Systems
www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell
* The information presented by this configurator is for your convenience only.
If there is a discrepancy between the price generated by this web page and the price
confirmed by OMIT, the latter shall prevail.
Tytannia, Titan, GranIT, and Mica are official trademarks of OMIT, Inc.
All company/brand logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
Copyright © 1998. Office Mate International Technologies, Inc.
All rights reserved.
       
|
