Slashdot Mirror
How to Keep Your Computer Cool
ThinSkin writes "ExtremeTech is featuring a how-to article on keeping your computer cool by adopting an efficient airflow strategy for your PC case. The article goes into detail on what types of fans are optimal for your computer and your needs, where you should place them, and how to make your own fan mounts. From the article: 'With an efficient cooling strategy, there's no reason a case should ever grow so warm. Good airflow is critical to keeping your PC operating and extending the life of the components. Keep the air flowing!'"
And for the serious overclockers, we have low powered cryogenics coming down the pipeline. It turns out that Intel is considering the possibility of using Pulse Tube Coolers for the next generation of thermal management. (Hey Intel, you think that over 100 watts might be just a *smidge* much for a processor?)
:-)
While there's something to be said for this step being rather extreme, it might lead to the development of cryogenic computers. These futuristic processors could utilize super-conducting transistors and wires to improve performance and eliminate waste heat.
Kind of a weird thought, but there you have it.
Personally, I'd like to see Stirling or Pulse Tube Coolers replacing existing phase-change air conditioners. In the name of "energy efficiency", you can't buy a decent apartment AC and are forced to deal with putting one in every room. Stirling engines could provide better cooling for less energy! Now if we could just get the buggers mass produced to bring down the cost...
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
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~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey
If you didn't overclock your computer to hell (in more ways than one) you wouldn't need so much cooling.
Don't run Windows.
Oh, you meant the other kind of cool. Nevermind.
Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
Is any of this news to anyone? Everything in this article is obvious and anybody who has opened a computer case before knows the crap contained in this 6-page article.
Why is it six pages? Why, of course, so that the GIGANTIC ads are displayed that many times. Take a look at the URL pointed to by the link that is the author's name... no surprise
In other news: sky still blue.
I should blow cool air into my computer and draw hot air out of it? Are you sure? There must be some other way!
There's 5 minutes I'll never see again.
Pair of sun glasses, a dark case, a divx rip of Pulp Fiction, Ubuntu and a seemingly infinite supply of of p0rn.
Now that is cool...
In the Slashdot moderating system, humourless based offenses are considered especially heinous.
Just leave the case open.
That may not be as good of an idea as you think. Cases todays are designed like wind-tunnels with the air moving from the front to the back. As the air passes over areas, it draws away the heat and is exhausted out the back.
When the case is off the PC, the wind tunnel effect is lost and most of the air is left standing. As a result, your ability to cool your system is actually reduced. This can lead to overheating and ultimately, failure.
If you value your computer, you'll get a nice large case with properly installed fans.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Air is essential for the Guild navigators to pilot their bitTorrents from one node to another.
If the Air does not Flow, bitTorrents will be impacted.
The Air must Flow!
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oh, and besides, those dust bunnies can get quite unruly at times, rabid almost, vorpal in their natures, if you will.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
That is near the danger level. Typical for a desktop system is 25-35C at idle, going up to 50-55C during peak use. Most thermal cutoffs (extreme downclocking, automatic shutdown) activate at or near 75C. I would be worried, with your system, that hot days and heavy use would cause lockups or the aforementioned throttling. Even if that doesn't happen, consistent operation at those temperatures is going to markedly reduce the life expectancy of your hardware.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ....
Seriously, WTF dude? It takes 2 pages to describe where you should mount your fan? We need another how-to on how to cut a fuckin hole in your case? "Have some fans in the front and some more in the back"... well, THERE'S a fuckin gem! Christ, I never would have thought of that!! I thought I should go out and buy 20 fuckin 200mm fans and duct-tape them all in a GIANT FUCKIN STACK right over my CPU, creating a giant VORTEX OF DOOM sticking out the side of my case, and THEN I would vent that GIANT VORTEX OF DOOM back INTO the front of my case, to make sure I made appropriate use of my airflow, and THEN to make sure I didn't have any leaks I'd duct-tape EVERY FUCKIN HOLE in my case shut, including those wussy holes on the back, they're not for anything, right? And THEN, when I have my GIANT VORTEX OF DOOM running at FULL BLAST, with my tower jitterbugging off the edge of my desk due to the MASSIVE VIBRATIONS, and my cats are running for their lives lest they be SUCKED IN to the one dime-sized hole I left open on the front of my case (for my wires to run for my most awesome LCD panel dude!), and THEN, I would have the GREATEST COOLING RIG EVAR!!!! Mwahahaha!!!
But now, thanks to this in-depth, insightful article, I now know that, if I want to cool my case, I have to put FUCKING FANS ON MY CASE... and if I want a fan where there isn't a hole, I can either CHANGE MY FUCKING MIND, or CUT A FUCKING HOLE.
HOLY SHIT DUDE, I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT.
Thanks you Slashdot. I feel my intelligence being leeched out by the alien overlord editors as we speak. Your grand plan for DUMBING DOWN THE FUCKING WORLD is working great. Good job. I am a l33t h4ck3r now. Feer me, for I know the power of the FAN!!!
Please let me know when I can cast my vote for Kodos. Anything that queer slimy bastard can do to stop this story from being duped next week will make me very very happy.
If I knew the wedgies I gave you back in 6th grade would have resulted in this . . . I might have taken a moments pause.