Cooling Systems

High temperatures can shorten the life expectancy of electronic components. High temperatures can shorten the life expectancy of electronic components. A properly cooled system can run at faster speeds longer than one that fails to dissipate or release heat. A properly cooled system can run at faster speeds longer than one that fails to dissipate or release heat.

Case Fans Case fans come in a variety of sizes, but most cases are designed to use 80mm, 90mm, and 120mm fans. Case fans come in a variety of sizes, but most cases are designed to use 80mm, 90mm, and 120mm fans.

Fan Placement Proper fan placement is critical for quality air flow. Proper fan placement is critical for quality air flow. Fans placed at the front of the case should pull air into the case (Intake). Fans placed at the front of the case should pull air into the case (Intake). Fans placed at the back of the case should push air out of the case (Exhaust). Fans placed at the back of the case should push air out of the case (Exhaust).

Other Fans Fans can also be placed inside the case and directed at specific components. Fans can also be placed inside the case and directed at specific components. CPU’s, video cards, power supplies, and other powerful components often use their own dedicated fan(s). CPU’s, video cards, power supplies, and other powerful components often use their own dedicated fan(s). Components that only use heatsinks and rely on case airflow for cooling use passive cooling. Components that only use heatsinks and rely on case airflow for cooling use passive cooling. Components with heatsinks and fans use active cooling. Components with heatsinks and fans use active cooling.

Heatsinks Heatsinks are normally constructed from copper and/or aluminum and directly contact microchips on a circuit board. Heatsinks are normally constructed from copper and/or aluminum and directly contact microchips on a circuit board. A fan blows air across the heatsink which transfers heat absorbed from the CPU into the air. A fan blows air across the heatsink which transfers heat absorbed from the CPU into the air. Copper absorbs heat faster than aluminum, but aluminum transfers heat to air faster than copper. Copper absorbs heat faster than aluminum, but aluminum transfers heat to air faster than copper.

CPU Heatsinks A copper heatsink and fan.

CPU Heatsinks 2 An aluminum heatsink with fan

Heat Pipes This heatsink uses heat pipes to move heat from the contact point to the fins that radiate the heat into the air. This heatsink uses heat pipes to move heat from the contact point to the fins that radiate the heat into the air.

Overclocking Overclocking components such as the CPU, RAM, and video card cause the components to generate more heat. Overclocking components such as the CPU, RAM, and video card cause the components to generate more heat. Extreme overclocking often requires innovative methods of dissipating heat, such as liquid cooling. Extreme overclocking often requires innovative methods of dissipating heat, such as liquid cooling. Overclocking can damage electronics and it should only be used with the understanding that it may shorten the life of the component. Overclocking can damage electronics and it should only be used with the understanding that it may shorten the life of the component.

RAM Coolers Memory (RAM) is often covered with a heatsink to allow for overclocking.

Quality, Not Quantity Remember that proper placement of fans will create quality air flow, which is far more important than the number of fans installed within a case. Remember that proper placement of fans will create quality air flow, which is far more important than the number of fans installed within a case.