The Basics of Cpu Cooling
Cpu cooling is the process of keeping a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and other processor-intensive components cool. Most computers include fans that facilitate the drawing of cool ambient air from outside the chassis and/or the expulsion of warm air inside the case. Some computers use a single fan to cool the CPU, while others may include a dedicated cooling system for the CPU, GPU, or other processor-intensive component(s).
Air cooling is a cheap and effective solution. It involves a heat sink that is attached to a fan, which blows air over the heat sink in order to cool it down. This technique is also used to cool the chips on video cards and DRAM memory modules, which often include a finned passive heatsink attached to their top.
Liquid cooling systems are more complex, but can be more efficient and quieter than air cooling. They consist of a water block, pump, radiator, and pipes. The liquid in the system is pumped through the water block, which transfers heat from the component to the liquid. The cooled liquid is then moved upward through the radiator, where it is exposed to cool air and cooled by fans. The cooled liquid then returns to the water block, and the cycle repeats.
Some overclockers use special thermal compounds to improve the transfer of heat from the metal surfaces in the heat sinks of their CPUs, graphics cards, and RAM. These products typically contain high levels of silver, which has superior [[thermal conductivity]]. They are applied in a thin layer to the top of a clean, uncontaminated heat sink.