Cooling:
Last updated: 24/10/2003
(over 12k views since 07/02)
Preamble:
The purpose of this FAQ is to educate in the basics of cooling. This FAQ aims to give cooling newbies a solid background in cooling theory and methodologies before they even open their case.
This FAQ assumes you have a basic knowledge of computer hardware.
Disclaimer:
Overclockers New Zealand, the author of this FAQ, and everybody else on this planet do not take any responsibility for any damage caused by you in the course of overclocking and cooling. Overclockers New Zealand does not guarantee authenticity of the information provided in this FAQ. The FAQ author agrees that all information within this FAQ is provided on a "to the best of my knowledge" basis.
Readers of this FAQ accept that this document is for educational purposes only, and that further research is a requirement before cooling is to be attempted. Readers of this FAQ also agree that no responsibility will be held by Overclockers New Zealand or the FAQ author. Readers of this FAQ accept complete and full responsibility for their mistakes.
Introduction:
Cooling is perhaps one of the most important aspects of overclocking. As you increase your voltages and bus speeds like a mad ox, your heat output also increases. You must balance this with improved cooling, or you could face the consequences... The consequences can be anything from instability, to a completely dead CPU, so cooling is not something you want to overlook.
Passive Aircooling:
"What is Passive Aircooling?"
Passive aircooling is the use of a heatsink to radiate heat from a silicon chip to the air. This helps keep the silicon chip at an operational temperature that it will be stable at.
"What is a heatsink?"
A heatsink is a specially shaped piece of metal, with a base and fins, designed so that the fins can provide the maximum possible surface area for heat dissipation. Heatsinks are manufactured normally using either aluminium or copper, or an aluminium/copper combination. Heat transfers from the chip it is mounted on and into the heatsink, the heatsink radiates and warms the air around its fins. Convection (eg Heat Rises) then deals with the removal of the heat from around the heatsink's fins.
"Where am I likely to see Passive Aircooling?"
You can find passive aircooling in the form of Northbridge/Southbridge chipsets, passively cooled video card GPU's, and even on some modern CPU's (Via C3, Transmeta Crusoe)
"What are the advantages of Passive Aircooling?"
It's cheap and it's quiet.
"Can I passively cool my CPU?"
If your CPU is manufactured by Intel or AMD, then the answer is no.
"Can I apply passive cooling methods to anything in my computer?"
Yes you can. Perhaps the most relevant application of passive cooling within your PC would be the addition of a small heatsink to your SouthBridge, and the addition of smaller heatsinks to the MOSFETs on your motherboard.
mosfets are typically found near the ATX connector
While not necessary if you are running your components at a stock speed, passively cooling these components can improve stability, especially when overclocked.
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