A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We’re all familiar with the old saying, but it holds true in a wide variety of applications, and computer builds are no exception. Thus, when setting out to build a computer system, you ought to focus on a holistic approach, applying (insofar as your budget allows) appropriate resources towards quality components. While many people spend all of their money on primary components like central processing units, memory configurations, high speed hard drives, and high performance motherboards, there are other components which must also be given proper consideration to truly maximize your computer’s build. One component which many people overlook when considering their ideal build is the cooling system – in particular, the processor cooling system. Let’s take a more in depth look below.
The Heat
Problem
It’s a problem that all computer systems encounter, and one
limiting factor in the development of consumer available computer hardware. As
your computer performs work (yes, that includes even the execution of simple
commands) the electrical signaling generates some small amount of heat. Now we
crank the quantity of processes being executed up a full million, and the
amount of heat generated by a computer system becomes much more substantial.
Computers generate heat in their operation, and heat is the enemy of computer
hardware. It’s a bit of a catch twenty two, but computer heat must be dealt
with all the same, lest the heat cause hardware malfunctions or permanent
damage.
One of the hottest components within the computer is the
central processing unit, which usually requires a dedicated cooling system to
sap the heat away during the course of normal operation. In the world of
cooling, there are currently two option when it comes to processors: fan and
liquid cooling systems.
Fan Cooling
Fan cooling works in combination with a heat sink to sap heat
away from the processor. A fan is fixed directly over the processor and
supplies a steady stream of cool air over the surface of the processor. The
heat sink provides a direct thermal transfer from the processor and distributes
heat over a large surface area, which helps in the transfer of heat away from
that surface. Fan cooling is inexpensive and effective. However, fans can get
large in high performance machines, and the main negative is a noticeable or
downright loud fan noise.
Liquid Cooling
Liquid cooling works by transferring heat away from the CPU using direct thermal transference via liquid heat transfer. Liquid cooling is, on the whole, quieter than fan cooling and consumes less internal space in the computer. Additionally, liquid cooling is more efficient than fan cooling. Liquid cooling is far more expensive than comparable fan cooling. Which one is right for you? This depends on your intended application. A fan in conjunction with a good heat sink like the 41R6039 can provide ample cooling in entry to mid range computer applications, but nothing beats a liquidcooling system in high performance applications. Keep it cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment