What is a box cooler? CPU cooling systems - what are they? Liquid cooling systems or, more simply put, “dropsy”

Comparison of "boxed" coolers

Among computer enthusiasts, equipping the system with a powerful processor cooler is a given. After all, thanks to better design and construction, most retail air coolers provide better cooling performance and are also less noisy than their boxed counterparts. Depending on the performance class, CPUs come with different coolers. We were interested to see what results the “boxed” cooler would achieve compared to retail versions, and, mainly, what their differences were. Still, higher-end coolers that are sold in stores cost $50 and more. This is quite a lot of money, especially considering that some buyers try to save as much as possible when they go shopping for a CPU.

When Intel introduced the Socket 775 platform, processors of that time were still using the 90 nm Prescott core. Prescott is known to be one of the highest power consuming cores Intel has ever developed and generates much more heat than its predecessor, the 130nm Northwood core. The new socket required the inclusion of a new cooler in the package, which Intel presented in the form of a model, which we will consider in this review. The very name of this cooler - "Prescott FMB2" - already indicates that this model was developed specifically for the new processor core.

This "great-grandfather" of "boxed" coolers for Soccket 775 had a huge influence on all subsequent models. In all subsequent generations, its basic design was implemented: a fan forcing air onto a cooler with curved cooling fins. When new models appeared, only some details changed. In some cases, only the size and direction of the cooling fins changed, sometimes the fins were made forked, or the copper core was made a little larger, or it was possible to adjust the fan speed to better suit specific processors.

Prescott FMB2 C40387 cooler sample. Click on the picture to enlarge.

The FMB2 samples left a lasting impression due to their very high noise level, especially in comparison with previous versions for Socket 478. The noise level of the Prescott FMB2 C40387 is more than 46 dB (A), so this cooler easily outperformed almost all coolers that we tested before. Unfortunately, in terms of cooling efficiency, this model cannot be said to be superior. Our quad-core test processor heated up to 93°C, which means its temperature is very close to the threshold at which throttling turns on. Therefore, the Prescott FMB2 C40387 cooler is not suitable for modern multi-core processors.


Contact surface for Prescott FMB2 C40387 cooler. Click on the picture to enlarge.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 93°C 43.5 °C
46.6 dB(A) 43.9 dB(A)
2,500 rpm 1,600 rpm
Weight 494 g
Intel socket 775

When Intel developed dual-core processors in the Pentium D 80 series, the heat dissipation of the processors increased significantly. Not surprising, because two 90 nm processor cores appeared on one socket, which needed to be cooled. According to Intel specifications, the thermal package was 130 W, which bordered on the maximum capabilities of coolers of that time, and sometimes even exceeded them. In many cases, users were unable to take advantage of the full potential of their processors because the CPUs were forced to enable throttling, i.e. reduce your clock speed, and therefore performance, to avoid overheating.


Cooler Performance FMB2 RCFH-4. Click on the picture to enlarge.

To ensure sufficient cooling for the central processor, Intel began including the famous (or better yet, infamous) Performance FMB coolers. This was the first version of a “boxed” cooler equipped with cooling fins directed in the opposite direction from the direction of rotation of the fan impeller. A small protective grille was installed above the fan. Hearing this fan make noise during operation is not the most pleasant feeling. With a noise level of 61 dB(A), the Performance FMB2 can be easily heard even in the hallway. Cooling efficiency does not fully meet modern requirements. Even at maximum fan speed (about 5,000 rpm), the Performance FMB cooler was only able to cool the processor to 76°C.

The Performance FMB2 RCFH-4 cooler has a copper core built into it. Click on the picture to enlarge.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 76.5 °C 40.5 °C
61.1 dB(A) 43.9 dB(A)
Fan speed 4,900 rpm 2,300 rpm
Weight 534 g
Intel socket 775



Cooler XP01 S2683. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Intel realized that for most users, the Performance FMB cooler with a noise level above 60 dB(A) has no future. As a result, Intel has worked on the design of its boxed coolers, introducing the XP01 S2683 with a large copper core. To further improve cooling performance, Intel has increased the cooler's contact pressure. Although the XP01 S2683 uses the same snap-on mounting method as its predecessors, its copper core is slightly higher relative to the heatsink, which increases the pressure with which it is pressed against the CPU. This improvement has since taken place in all subsequent models.

Comparison of small and large copper cores. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Like the Performance FMB cooler, the XP01's cooling fins are directed to the left, while the fan rotates in the opposite direction. Thanks to the larger copper core, the XP01 cooler was able to cool our test quad-core processor to 84°C. You will, of course, argue that this is a worse result compared to the Performance FMB, but note that this result was obtained at a much lower fan speed - only 2,800 rpm, and the noise level is more acceptable - 47 dB(A).

Shiny contact surface of the copper core of the XP01 S2683 cooler. Click on the picture to enlarge.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 84.5 °C 40.5 °C
47 dB(A) 41.1 dB(A)
Fan speed 2,900 rpm 2,250 rpm
Weight 534 g
Intel socket 775

"Boxed" cooler for the E6700 and Q6600 series

Even the current conventional "boxed" cooler sold with Conroe-based Core 2 processors is based on Intel's standard reference design. But still, it has its own “zest”: bifurcated cooling fins directed to the right, as in the very first samples. The fan also rotates to the right (clockwise). Compared to prototypes, the aluminum block is 8 mm lower and only 30 mm high.


"Boxed" cooler for dual-core processors of the E6700 and Q6600 line. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Despite the fact that the rotation speed is almost the same, the cooling potential of this “boxed” cooler is lower than that of the version with a large copper core. With this cooler model, at maximum load, our quad-core processor heated up to 89.5°C. In idle mode, the temperature dropped to 41.5°C.


The lower part of the "boxed" Core 2 cooler. Click on the image to enlarge.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 89.5 °C 41.5 °C
45.1 dB(A) 41.1 dB(A)
Fan speed 2,780 rpm 2,240 rpm
Weight 534 g
Intel socket 775

In fact, the amount of heat generated is proportional to the core frequency. Simply put, the higher the CPU clock speed, the greater the heat dissipation. Thus, a CPU with a lower clock speed requires less intensive cooling.


"Boxed" cooler for E6300 and E6400. Click on the picture to enlarge.

That's why Intel included a modified "boxed" cooler with its slower Core 2 E6300 and E6400 series processors. Although it has a similar design with a copper core surrounded by aluminum cooling fins as its higher-performance siblings, this boxed cooler is equipped with a different fan. Its motor has a power of only 2.4 W, compared to the 4.7 W version of more powerful coolers.


The lower part of the cooler with a thermal pad already applied. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Since the fan motor power is less, the rotation speed is also lower. The maximum fan speed of this model is 1,740 rpm, and in idle mode - 820 rpm.


This cooler comes with a fast fan... Click on the picture to enlarge.
...and this one has a slower fan. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Such a simplified model is not capable of cooling our quad-core processor. At full load, the CPU temperature rises to 92.8°C, which is exactly the threshold for throttling. On the other hand, the noise level of such a cooler does not exceed 40 dB(A) due to the low fan speed. At least its noise is not annoying at all.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 92.8 °C 50.5 °C
40.2 dB(A) 39.2 dB(A)
Fan speed 1,740 rpm 820 rpm
Weight 436 g
Intel socket 775

Although the “lower” models of Core 2 processors come with “boxed” coolers equipped with slower fans, Intel decided to save even more on those models that it classifies as low end. For example, on processors from the Pentium DualCore E2100 series, although they are also based on the Conroe core. These processors only come with all-aluminum coolers.


At first glance, the “boxed” cooler for Pentium DualCore processors cannot be distinguished from its “brothers”. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Since aluminum is much cheaper than copper, it becomes possible to reduce the cost of the cooler. In addition, a very expensive step is bypassed in the manufacturing process, since there is no need to drill into the aluminum heatsink to install the copper core that is used in high-end models to improve cooling efficiency. Among other things, aluminum has a positive effect on the weight of the cooler: it weighs only 330 g, which is 106 g lighter than its copper counterpart, and is the lightest air cooler among the models we tested.


The radiator is made entirely of aluminum. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Thanks to the low heat emission of Pentium DualCore series processors, even an aluminum cooler with a slow fan can cope with the cooling task. Thus, the noise level is approximately at the same level as the noise level of the model with a copper core (at low fan speeds).


Core comparison: The copper core is "recessed" into the aluminum heatsink to improve cooling performance, but the aluminum core model does not use this method. Click on the picture to enlarge.

The cooling efficiency of the aluminum cooler is consistent with what you would expect from a low-end model. At full load, the central processor became so hot that it was forced to reduce its clock frequency (turn on throttling). According to our measurements, the CPU temperature was about 98°C. In idle mode, the processor cooled to 54°C.


Specifications
CPU Idle mode
Temperature PWM 98°C 54 °C
40.2 dB(A) 39.2 dB(A)
Fan speed 1,740 rpm 820 rpm
Weight 330 g
Intel socket 775

Thermal paste: the right choice

To equalize the conditions for testing coolers, we used the same thermal paste - Amasan T12. Based on our past tests, we are convinced that the choice of thermal paste can significantly affect cooling efficiency. For example, when we used a different brand of thermal paste, the cooler was unable to sufficiently cool the Pentium 660 processor, causing its clock speed to drop.

For our tests we used Amasan T12 thermal paste. Click on the picture to enlarge.

One of the distinguishing features of Intel boxed coolers is the thermal pad they use. However, it cannot be used again if you change the processor. To compare its efficiency with the Amasan T12, we also tested aluminum and copper core coolers (the version with a slower fan) with Intel's own thermal pad.

On "boxed" Intel coolers, the thermal pad is already applied. Click on the picture to enlarge.

The results were quite unexpected. Using an Intel thermal pad, even an aluminum cooler was able to cool our test quad-core processor to 88°C, which is below the temperature that causes throttling. The copper-core model also improved its results by several degrees, cooling the processor to 83°C. With less CPU load, the temperature difference between the Amasan T12 and the Intel thermal pad was about 3°C.



Overall result.



Ease of installation (max. 10 points), the more the better.



Cooling efficiency (max. 10 points), the higher the better.



Noise level (max. 10 points), the higher the better.



CPU temperature at maximum load, high fan speed.



CPU temperature at maximum load, low fan speed.



CPU temperature at minimum load, high fan speed.



CPU temperature at minimum load, low fan speed.



Noise level, high fan speed.



Noise level, low fan speed.



Cooler weight.



High fan speed.



Low fan speed.

Conclusion: a "boxed" cooler is not suitable for overclockers

Heat dissipation increases almost proportionally to the processor clock speed. The higher the CPU clock speed, the more heat it generates. This isn't that big news. However, it is also true that processors with lower clock speeds require less intensive cooling. For this reason, CPU manufacturers provide less powerful coolers with their slower processors. This review allows us to compare the coolers we have previously tested with the models that come with processors.

Obviously, purchasing a separate retail cooler makes a lot of sense. Despite the fact that all “boxed” samples cope with their responsibility to maintain the CPU temperature at the proper level, the user, as a rule, has to endure a higher noise level from the operation of such a cooler compared to other models. In addition, with regard to cooling efficiency, most “boxed” coolers do not have a “reserve” in case of increasing the processor clock frequency, which makes them unsuitable for overclockers.


Click on the picture to enlarge.

It's important to note that different CPU models come with different coolers, depending on their performance. Although All coolers are very similar in appearance, but there are significant differences between them when it comes to cooling efficiency and noise levels.

A common positive feature of all “boxed” Intel coolers is their ease of installation. All models, starting from the early prototypes, use simple latches for fastening, which makes them easy and quick to install. This explains the popularity of such coolers among OEMs.

A little research showed that while the basic cooler design hasn't changed much over the past few years, Intel has continually changed, tweaked, and improved its designs to suit the needs of the processors they ship with. Using the Pentium DualCore cooler as an example, it is clear that a newer cooler model does not necessarily have to maintain a lower processor temperature than its predecessors, but it may have other advantages, such as lower noise levels, lighter weight or a lower price.

Intel is releasing new "boxed" coolers for its Penryn 8000 and 9000 line of processors. They are much smaller than previous models. You will learn the results of their testing in our next review.

To cool the processor, a cooler is used, which consists of a radiator and a fan.

Different processors have different mounts for coolers and have different thermal dissipation (TDP). As for heat dissipation, the more powerful the processor, the larger the cooler should be.

For the cheapest 2-core processors (Celeron, A4, A6), any simple cooler with an aluminum radiator and an 80-90 mm fan will be enough. The larger the fan and radiator size, the better the cooling. The lower the fan speed, the less noise. Some of these couriers are not suitable for all processors, so check the supported sockets in the description. For example, Deepcool GAMMA ARCHER is suitable for almost all sockets except AM4.
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMA ARCHER

Most coolers for more powerful processors are universal and have a set of mounts for all modern processors. DeepCool and Zalman coolers have the optimal price/quality ratio, and I will recommend them first.

Please note that not all coolers can be equipped with a mount for the AM4 socket, and sometimes it can be purchased separately; check this point with the seller.

For 2-core Intel processors (Pentium, Core-i3) and 4-core AMD processors (A8, A10, Ryzen 3), a small cooler with 2-3 heat pipes and a 90-120 mm fan, such as Deepcool GAMMAXX 200T (for TDP 65) is enough W).
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 200T

Or Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 (for TDP 95 W).
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 300

For more powerful 4-core Intel (Core i3,i5) and AMD (FX-4,6,8, Ryzen 5) you need a cooler with 4-5 heat pipes and a 120 mm fan. And the minimum option here would be Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 (4 handsets) or slightly better Zalman from the CNPS10X series (4-5 handsets) for more powerful processors.
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX 400

For even hotter 6-core Intel (Core i5,i7) and AMD (Ryzen 7), as well as for overclocking, it is advisable to purchase a large, powerful cooler with 6 heat pipes and a 120-140 mm fan. Some of the best in terms of price/power ratio are Deepcool Lucifer V2 and Deepcool REDHAT.
CPU cooler Deepcool Lucifer V2

2. Do I need to buy a cooler separately?

Most boxed processors, which are sold in cardboard packaging and have the word “BOX” at the end of the label, have a cooler included.

If “Tray” or “OEM” is written at the end of the marking, then there is no cooler included.

Some expensive processors, despite being labeled with the word “BOX,” are sold without a cooler. But the box is usually smaller in this case, and the description often states that the processor does not include a cooler.

If you purchase a processor with a cooler, then you do not have to buy the cooler separately. This usually works out cheaper, and a boxed cooler is quite enough to cool the processor, since it is designed for it.

The disadvantages of boxed coolers are a higher noise level and the lack of a heat sink reserve in case of overclocking the processor. Therefore, if you want to have a quieter computer or overclock the processor, it is better to purchase a separate processor and a separate quiet and more powerful cooler.

3. Processor parameters for choosing a cooler

In order to choose the right cooler, we need to know the socket of the processor and its heat dissipation (TDP).

3.1. CPU socket

Socket is a motherboard connector for installing a processor, which also has a mount for a cooler. Different sockets have different types of cooler mounts.

3.2. CPU heat dissipation

As for heat dissipation (TDP), this indicator is also often indicated on online shopping sites. If the TDP of the processor is not indicated, then it can be easily found on the website of another online store or the official websites of processor manufacturers.

There are many more sites where you can find out the characteristics of the processor by the model number.

You can also use the Google or Yandex search engine.

4. Main characteristics of coolers

The main characteristics of coolers are the supported sockets and the TDP for which the cooler is designed.

Each cooler is designed for certain sockets; it simply will not install on others. Which sockets a particular cooler supports is indicated on the websites of manufacturers and online stores.

4.2. Cooler TDP

Despite the fact that the TDP of the processor for which the cooler is designed is the main parameter, its value is not indicated on the websites of online stores and most manufacturers. However, this data can sometimes be found. For example, on the website of one of the leaders in the production of coolers, the Austrian company Noctua, there is a comparison table of TDP coolers.

The TDP value of some popular cooler models, determined approximately based on test results, can be found on the Internet. Based on this information and personal experience, I have compiled a table with which you can easily select the optimal cooler depending on the TDP of the processor. You can download this table at the end of the article in the “” section.

5. Cooler design

CPU coolers come in many different designs.

5.1. Cooler with aluminum radiator

The simplest and cheapest are coolers with an aluminum radiator and a standard 80 mm fan. The shape of the radiator may vary. Basically, coolers for Intel processors have a round heatsink, while for AMD processors it is square.

Such coolers are often included with low-power boxed processors and are usually sufficient for them. Such a cooler can also be purchased separately inexpensively, but their quality will most likely be slightly worse. Well, such a cooler is not suitable for overclocking a processor.

5.2. Cooler with fin radiator

On sale you can still find coolers with radiators made of stacked aluminum or copper plates.

They remove heat from the processor better than coolers with a solid aluminum radiator, but are already outdated and have been replaced by more efficient coolers based on heat pipes.

5.3. Horizontal cooler with heat pipes

Coolers with heat pipes are the most modern and most efficient.

Such coolers are available with more powerful processors. They remove heat from the processor much better than cheap coolers with an aluminum radiator, but they blow warm air in a less efficient direction - towards the motherboard.

This solution is more suitable for compact cases, since in other cases it is better to purchase a more modern vertical cooler.

5.4. Vertical cooler with heat pipes

A vertical cooler (or tower cooler) has a more optimal design.

Warm air from the processor is blown not towards the motherboard, but towards the rear exhaust fan of the case.

Such coolers are the most optimal; they have a very large selection in size, power and price. They are best suited for very powerful processors and overclocking them. Their main disadvantage is their large dimensions, which is why not every such cooler will fit into a standard case.

The efficiency of the cooler most depends on the number of heat pipes. For a processor with a TDP of 80-100 W, a cooler with 3 heat pipes is enough; for a processor with a TDP of 150-180 W, a cooler with 6 heat pipes is needed. You will find out how many heat pipes a particular processor needs from the table, which can be downloaded in the “” section.

In the characteristics of a cooler, they usually do not focus on how many heat pipes it has. But this can be easily calculated from a photo of the base of the cooler or by counting the number of outgoing ends of the tubes and dividing them by 2.

6. Base design

The base of the cooler is the contact pad, which is in direct contact with the processor. The efficiency of the cooler also depends on its quality and design.

In coolers with an aluminum radiator, the radiator itself acts as the contact pad. The base can be solid or through.

A solid base is more preferable, as it increases the contact area between the radiator and the processor, which has a beneficial effect on cooling. And in a through design, dust can accumulate in the gap between the radiator and the fan.

Firstly, it has a bad effect on cooling. Secondly, it is impossible to clean the dust from there without removing the cooler from the processor, while a radiator with a solid pad can be easily cleaned without removing it.

6.2. Radiator with copper insert

The radiators of some coolers have a copper insert at the base, which is in contact with the processor.

Radiators with a copper insert are slightly more efficient than all-aluminum options.

Coolers with heat pipes may have a copper base.

This design is quite effective.

6.4. Direct contact

Some manufacturers actively preach the almost cosmic technology of direct contact (DirectCU), which consists of saving copper by pressing heat pipes in such a way that they themselves create a contact pad in direct contact with the processor.

In fact, this design is close in efficiency to a radiator with a copper base.

7. Design and material of the radiator

The efficiency of the cooler also greatly depends on the design of the radiator and the material from which it is made.

The cheapest coolers have a radiator made entirely of aluminum, since this metal is cheaper than copper. But aluminum has low heat capacity and uneven heat distribution, which requires stronger airflow and therefore noisier fans.

7.2. Aluminum with copper

Coolers with aluminum radiators with copper inserts are a little more efficient, but are no longer relevant.

7.3. Copper radiator

You can still find coolers with radiators made of copper plates on sale.

Copper has a high heat capacity and heat is distributed evenly in it. This makes it possible to stabilize the processor temperature at a certain level and does not require fast, noisy fans. But the effectiveness of such a system is limited due to the fact that a copper radiator has high thermal inertia and it is difficult to quickly remove heat from it. But such a cooler can be indispensable in compact cases for media centers, since it is quite low.

7.4. Radiator made of aluminum plates

The most effective today are coolers with heat pipes and a radiator made of many thin aluminum plates.

Heat from the processor is instantly dissipated through heat pipes to the plates, on which the fan air flow is also quickly removed due to the high dissipation area. This design has very low heat capacity and thermal inertia, so cooling efficiency increases significantly with small increases in fan speed.

7.5. Nickel plating

Good branded coolers may have nickel plating on heat pipes, copper bases, and even aluminum heatsink fins.

Nickel plating prevents surface oxidation. It always remains beautiful and shiny. But the most important thing is that the oxide does not interfere with heat removal and the cooler does not lose its properties. Although, by and large, the difference will not be significant.

7.6. Radiator size

The efficiency of the cooler always depends on the size of the radiator. But coolers with large radiators cannot always fit into a standard computer case. The height of a tower radiator for a standard case should not exceed 160 mm.

The width of the radiator also matters. A cooler with a large radiator may not fit due to the close location of the power supply. You also need to consider the size and layout of the motherboard. It may happen that the cooler cannot be installed due to highly protruding heatsinks of the motherboard near the processor, closely spaced tall memory modules, etc.

All this must be taken into account in advance and, if in doubt, measure the required distances in your computer. It's better to play it safe and take a slightly smaller cooler. If the processor is very hot, and the case is small, or elements protruding from the motherboard are in the way, then tear them off; a horizontal cooler with heat pipes and specially designed with sufficient distance from the motherboard will suit you.

7.7. Radiator weight

The larger the radiator, the heavier it is, and the heavier the radiator, the larger it is. But essentially, the higher the TDP of the processor, the heavier the radiator should be. For a processor with a TDP of 100-125 W, a radiator weighing 300-400 grams is enough; for a monster like AMD FX9xxx with a TDP of 200-220 W, you need a radiator of at least 1 kg, or even 1200-1300 grams. I will not give the weight of the radiator for each processor, since you will see all this in the table, which can be downloaded in the “” section.

8. Fans

The size, speed and other parameters of the fan determine the efficiency of the cooler and the noise level it creates.

8.1. Fan size

In general, the larger the fan, the more efficient and quieter it is. The cheapest coolers have fans measuring 80x80 mm. Their advantage is simplicity and low cost of replacement (which is rare). The disadvantage is the highest noise level.

It is better to buy a cooler with a larger fan - 92x92, 120x120 mm. These are also standard sizes and are easy to replace if necessary.

For particularly powerful and hot processors, such as AMD FX9xxx, it is better to take a cooler with a fan of a standard size of 140x140 mm. This fan is more expensive, but there will be less noise.

It’s better to limit the choice to coolers with standard fan sizes, what if you still have to replace it someday? But this is not important, since among us there are real nuggets of Kulibins who will screw any fan to any radiator on their knees

8.2. Fan bearing type

The cheapest fans have a Sleeve Bearing. Such fans are considered less reliable and less durable.

Fans with ball bearings are considered more reliable. But they make more noise.

Most modern fans have hydrodynamic bearings (Hydro Bearing), which combines reliability with low noise levels.

8.3. Number of fans

To overclock such monsters as AMD FX9xxx with a TDP of 200-220 W, it is better to take a cooler with two 140x140 mm fans. But keep in mind that the more fans, the higher the noise level. Therefore, there is no need to buy a cooler with two fans for a processor with a TDP of up to 180 W. Recommendations for the number and size of fans are in the table from the “” section.

8.4. Fan speed

The smaller the radiator and fan size, the higher its speed will be. This is necessary to compensate for the low dispersion area and low air flow.

In cheap coolers, fan speed can vary between 2000-4000 rpm. At a speed of 2000 rpm the fan noise becomes clearly audible, at a speed of 3000 rpm the noise becomes annoying, and at 4000 rpm your room will turn into a small landing pad...

The ideal option is a fan measuring 120-140 mm with a maximum speed of 1300-1500 rpm.

8.5. Automatic speed control

Motherboards are able to regulate cooler speed depending on the temperature of the processor. Adjustment can be done by changing the supply voltage (DC), which is supported by all motherboards.

More expensive coolers can be equipped with fans with a built-in speed controller (PWM). In this case, the motherboard must also support speed control via a PWM controller.

It’s good if the cooler has a 120-140 mm fan with a speed in the range of 800-1300 rpm. In this case, you will almost never hear it.

8.6. Cooler connector

Processor coolers can have a 3-pin or 4-pin connector for connecting to the motherboard. 3-pin ones are controlled by changing the voltage by the motherboard (DC), and 4-pin ones using a PWM controller (PWM). A PWM controller can more accurately control the cooler speed, so it is better to purchase a cooler with a 4-pin connector.

8.7. Noise level

The noise level depends on the rotation speed of the fan, the configuration of its blades, and is measured in decibels (dB). Fans with a noise level of up to 25 dB are considered quiet. Based on this indicator, you can compare several coolers and, other things being equal, choose the one that makes less noise.

8.8. Air flow

The strength of the air flow determines the efficiency of heat removal from the radiator and, accordingly, the efficiency of the entire cooler and the noise level. Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Based on this indicator, you can compare several coolers and, other things being equal, choose the one that has a higher CFM. But do not forget to pay attention to the noise level.

9. Cooler mount

There are no pitfalls in mounting a small or medium-sized cooler. But with big models there are surprises...

Carefully read the cooler mounting diagram before purchasing it. Some heavy coolers require reinforced mounting using a special frame on the back of the motherboard.

In this case, the motherboard must allow the installation of such a frame and there should be no soldered electronic elements at the installation site. There should be a recess in the computer case where the processor is supposed to be located. Even better if there is a window that allows you to install and remove such a cooler without removing the motherboard.

A set of universal coolers that fit many sockets may contain many different mounts.

If the cooler is of sufficient quality and expensive, then they will not be superfluous if you suddenly want (or have to) change the motherboard and processor to another platform (for example, from AMD to Intel). In this case, there is no need to change the cooler.

10. Backlight

Some coolers have LEDs and glow beautifully in the dark. It makes sense to purchase such a cooler if your case has a transparent window through which you can enjoy how it works while you relax. But keep in mind that the backlight can interfere and irritate not only you, but also your family members. Therefore, think in advance where the body will stand and where the light will go.

11. Thermal paste

Thermal paste is applied to the processor to improve heat transfer and this is very important. In cheap coolers, thermal paste may already be applied to the contact pad and covered with a plastic cover.

More expensive models come with a small tube of thermal paste, which can be enough for 2-3 times. Sometimes thermal paste is not included. Check the availability of thermal paste on the online store website.

If thermal paste is not included, you will need to purchase it separately. Thermal paste greatly influences the transfer of heat from the processor to the cooler. The temperature difference between a processor with bad and good thermal paste reaches up to 10 degrees!

As a budget option, you can take KPT-8 in a white aluminum tube. Its thermal conductivity is not so high, but if the processor is not very hot (TDP up to 100 W) and you do not plan to overclock it, then this will be enough. The main thing is that it is original! It is not advisable to purchase it in syringes, jars, plastic tubes with handmade stickers, since there are a lot of fakes in such packaging.

It should be absolutely obvious that the packaging is factory made.

Alsil-3 thermal paste is similar in quality and price, but even in the original it is sold in syringes that are difficult to distinguish from a fake.

12. Cooler manufacturers

The best cooler manufacturers are the Austrian company Noctua and the Japanese company Scythe. They produce high-quality coolers and are deservedly popular among wealthy enthusiasts. Noctua provides a 72-month warranty on coolers.

The Taiwanese company Thermalright successfully markets the above-mentioned brands, which has very similar models at a slightly more reasonable price.

But the most popular in Russian-speaking countries are coolers from such familiar brands as Cooler Master, Thermaltake, Zalman. Coolers from these manufacturers have the best price/quality ratio.

But by and large, the manufacturer of the cooler is not so important, since there is nothing special to break apart from the fan. Therefore, it’s not a sin to save money and take something cheaper. A fairly large assortment and low prices are offered to us by DeepCool, GlacialTech, Ice Hammer and TITAN.

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, it’s just a cooler. And let the presence of a guarantee calm your nervous system

13. Warranty

The cheapest coolers have a standard 12 month warranty. Basically, all that can come out of the cooler is the fan, and replacing it will not be difficult.

But if you are purchasing a good cooler with branded fans, then it is better that the warranty is 24-36 months, since finding high-quality fans with the same characteristics can be difficult and expensive.

Top coolers are expensive, but manufacturers give them a warranty of up to 72 months.

I do not recommend purchasing coolers from little-known manufacturers whose lineup is represented by only a few models, as there may be problems with warranty service. Remember - a guarantee never hurt anyone

14. Setting up filters in the online store

  1. Using the table, determine the main parameters of the cooler for your processor.
  2. Go to the “Cooling Systems” section on the seller’s website.
  3. Select the "Processor" destination.
  4. If you want a better cooler, then choose only the best manufacturers.
  5. If you want to save money, then choose all popular manufacturers whose lineup includes at least 15-20 models.
  6. Select your processor socket.
  7. Note the presence of heat pipes in the filter.
  8. Size and number of fans (optional).
  9. Availability of speed controller (only if necessary).
  10. Cooler height (for a standard case up to 160 mm).
  11. The presence of backlighting (will greatly narrow the choice).
  12. Other parameters that are important to you.
  13. Sort the selection by price.
  14. Look through the coolers, starting with the cheaper ones (from the photo you can determine the number of heat pipes and the massiveness of the radiator).
  15. Select several suitable models, view their photos from different angles and compare them based on parameters that were not included in the filter.
  16. Buy the cheapest suitable model.

Do not overdo it with filters, as you can weed out successful models. Select only the parameters that are most important to you.

Thus, you will receive a cooler with the best price/quality/efficiency ratio that meets your requirements at the lowest possible cost.

15. Links

Below you can download a table that allows you to easily determine the main parameters of the cooler, depending on the processor heat dissipation (TDP).

CPU cooler Deepcool REDHAT
CPU cooler Zalman CNPS10X Optima
CPU cooler Deepcool GAMMAXX S40

When choosing a computer configuration, the question often arises: “Which processor cooler is better to use and does it make sense to change the “boxed” version to a more expensive and efficient one?” After the release of 45 nm Intel processors, the dimensions of the new cooling systems have noticeably decreased, and the initial idea of ​​testing was the desire to compare them with each other and see how these coolers cope with their intended purpose and whether it is possible to slightly overclock the system with this type of cooling system.

We decided to conduct all testing in two stages. At the first stage, test each cooling system on its native processor in three modes: nominal, during overclocking “without” and “with” increasing the supply voltage on the processor core. Finally, in order to compare their efficiency with each other, we conducted a test on one unchanged platform, and as a standard we chose one of the top cooler models, which may well become an alternative for some overclocking users.

Let's start testing, as is customary, with a visual inspection of all the “boxed” cooling systems that came into our hands. We had at our disposal five box coolers from the following processors:

  • Intel Core 2 Duo E7200;

From left to right are the coolers from the processor set:Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, Intel Core 2 Duo E8500, Intel Core 2 Duo E7200. TOuler fromIntel Celeron Dual- Core E1200 is “visually” the same in design as fromIntel Core 2 Duo E7200.

Now let's take a closer look at them separately. Let's start with .

The Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 processor is equipped with a relatively large cooler with a copper core, model D60188-001. This version of the “box” can still be found on the E6850, E6700, E6600, E6420, E6400, E6320, E6300, E4300, Q6700 and Q6600 processors. That is, Intel uses such a cooling system for processors with a TDP of 65 W to 105 W. The total height of the radiator of the D60188-001 cooler is 37 mm, and the aluminum part is 32 mm.

The active element of this “boxed” cooler is a 7-blade fan. In appearance, all fans on Intel coolers seem to be the same. In fact, they may differ slightly, and not only in the speed of rotation, but also in the shape of the blades. The photo shows that there is a fairly large gap between the plastic frame and the edge of the blades. The impeller diameter is approximately 76 mm, and the blade profile is 16 mm.

Mounting to the motherboard for all “boxed” coolers is ensured by four plastic latches. On model D60188-001, the latches are mounted on a metal frame, which is secured to a copper base.

It should also be noted that all Intel coolers are made using fin branching technology. Moreover, the fins have a shape curved in the direction of fan rotation. The copper core on the fan side has a fairly deep “shell”. Let us recall that copper has better thermal conductivity than aluminum, and a core made of it, in our case, increases the uniformity of heat distribution over the entire height of the radiator.

The maximum fan speed on the D60188-001 cooler, which we recorded during testing, was 2250 rpm.

The base on the heatsink is made in the shape of a circle with a diameter of 28.5 mm, and therefore it does not cover the square surface of the processor cover, which is 29.5 mm wide.

The surface of the base is very high quality processed and a very viscous thermal interface DOW TC-1996 Grease, which is used for all Intel coolers, has already been applied to it in advance.

E21984-001

The 45 nm quad-core Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor is supposed to be cooled by the E21984-001 cooler, which has less weight and overall dimensions than the one discussed earlier. The height of the aluminum part of its radiator is only 15 mm.

For more efficient heat removal, a copper core with a diameter of 24 mm is installed in the center, as on the previous model.

On the new cooler model, significant changes affected the mounting. The plastic clips are installed not on the metal frame, but on the plastic fan housing. Therefore, new models of “boxed” coolers are installed with less effort. The fan on Intel E21984-001 has a slightly modified shape. The diameter of the impeller is 76 mm, and the profile size of the blades is 17 mm. The fan rotation speed during testing was 2300 rpm

The base on the cooling system of the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor is also well polished.

For the most powerful dual-core processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500, an even more lightweight cooler E18764-001 is designed. The dimensions of the aluminum part of the radiator are the same as the previous version, but it no longer has a copper core inside.

To some extent, the cooling efficiency will be compensated by the increased size of the Nidec F09A-12B6S2 fan. The diameter of the fan impeller is approximately 81.5 mm, but the profile of the blades is reduced to 13 mm. Its rotation speed during testing of the cooler turned out to be equal to 2250 rpm.

The mounting part on the Intel E18764-001 cooler is the same as on the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 cooling system - four clips on a metal frame that is attached to the base.

The base, like on previous cooler models, is made round, the only difference being that it is no longer copper, but aluminum, like the entire radiator.

E18764-001

The Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor is also equipped with a small all-aluminum cooler E18764-001 with a 15 mm radiator height, which is cooled by a Delta fan with a 75x15 mm impeller. The maximum fan speed during testing was 2100 rpm.

The mount on the E18764-001 cooler is the same as the cooler included with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor, i.e. made in the form of clamps on a plastic frame. A distinct feature of this cooler is the very simple processing of the base. In fact, it has not been sanded like previous models.

Almost the same cooler as the Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor is equipped with the dual-core Intel Celeron Dual-Core E1200. The cooling system is called D75716-002. The difference from the previous “boxed” cooler is a different fan with a 3-pin power connector. Therefore, it is the only boxed cooler in this review that does not support PWM switching power mode. The budget Intel processor actually has a very cheap cooler. But the situation is complicated by the fact that some motherboard manufacturers, for example ASUS, have removed the function of automatically controlling processor coolers with 3-pin connectors from their new solutions. True, the maximum rotation speed of this cooler is not very high - the same 2100 rpm, so it will not make much noise.

Testing

As already noted, we tested box cooling systems in two stages. First, for each of them, we checked the cooling efficiency on “their” processor to see how suitable the cooler is for the processor and whether such cooling systems have a “safety margin”.

The configuration of the test platform for testing boxed coolers on “native” processors looked like this:

Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 (Intel X48 Express)

RAM

Video card

HDD

Optical drive

ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA

power unit

Fortron ATX400-PNF, 400 W, 120 mm low speed fan

Case and fans

COLORSit ATX-L8032 + 92 mm SilverStone FN91 + 120 mm Coolink SWiF 1201

To make things more interesting, we tried overclocking the processors. Once we increased the frequency without increasing the voltage, and the second time, with a slight increase in the core supply voltage to increase stability.

With this testing, we did not try to determine the overclocking potential of the processors; it was just interesting to find out whether the “boxed” coolers would allow us to overclock the processor. Therefore, you should not get attached to the obtained results of overclocking processors. The time for testing was still limited and therefore there was no time to find the limits of system stability.

The ambient temperature during testing was summer 28˚C. In the first part of testing coolers, DOW TC-1996 Grease was used as a thermal interface. As it turned out, this type of thermal interface has very good thermal conductivity.

The standard thermal paste on the “boxed” cooler from the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor turned out to be slightly more effective than the well-proven Akasa Pro-Grade AK-460.

Based on the results obtained, we can say that “boxed” coolers still have some strength reserves. When overclocking processors without raising the voltage, their heat dissipation did not increase much and almost all “boxed” coolers can cope with it. In some cases, during overclocking, you can even increase the voltage a little, but then the cooling system will work at the limit of its capabilities.

The other side of the coin is the noise level of boxed coolers. In general, all tested cooling systems, even at maximum speed, are not very loud; most likely their sound can be described as “below average”. And not very picky users should be quite satisfied with such a background, especially since it will be less audible in a closed case. But, nevertheless, there is a possibility that some time after the coolers start operating, the noise may increase slightly due to wear of the bearings.

The only processor that received a not quite appropriate “boxed” cooler was the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500. Even without overclocking under intense load, its temperature was quite high, so its owners will probably be one of the first to think about replacing the cooling system.

We carried out the second part of testing on the following test bench:

Motherboard

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4 (Intel P965 Express)

CPU

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (LGA775, 1.86 GHz, L2 2 MB) @2.24 MHz, 1.33 V

RAM

2 x DDR2-800 1024 MB Apacer PC6400

Video card

EVGA GeForce 8600GTS 256 MB DDR3 PCI-E

HDD

Samsung HD080HJ, 80 GB, SATA-300

Optical drive

ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA

power unit

Chieftec CFT-500-A12S 500W, 120 mm fan

CODEGEN M603 MidiTower, 2x 120 mm blower/exhaust fans

Thermal interface

Akasa Pro-Grade AK-460

The test results obtained are quite natural. The only point that needs to be explained is the fact that the boxed cooler of the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 processor with a treated aluminum base has worse performance compared to coolers from the Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 and Intel Celeron Dual-Core E1200 processors, which have an untreated base surface.

The reason for this phenomenon was the aluminum base protruding from the main mass of the radiator, which, firstly, contacts the processor with a smaller area, and, secondly, dissipates heat to the fins a little worse than a solid “body” does.

Also quite interesting compared to boxed coolers are the testing results of the Noctua NH-U12P cooler, which was turned on via a U.L.N.A power adapter that reduces the rotation speed. Of course, there was no doubt that a more expensive cooler has greater cooling efficiency. Therefore, we tried to complicate his task and, taking into account the dimensions of the radiator, removed the fan from it.

In this case, cooling of the radiator mass was ensured only by air flows inside the case. It turned out that without a fan, the Noctua NH-U12P cooler in such conditions is equal in performance to a “boxed” cooler with a copper core from a quad-core Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor based on the Yorkfield core.

Conclusions.

For the most part, boxed coolers from Intel are capable of providing an acceptable level of cooling for operation and even slight overclocking. “Progress,” or, to put it bluntly, the regression of box cooling systems is associated, first of all, with a decrease in the technological process of manufacturing processors, and as a result, a decrease in the heat emission of processors. Who saves in this case is probably clear without hints - the user who has become the owner of a “thinner” cooler, which should become cheaper in terms of cost, or Intel. In addition, the reduced size of the coolers clearly emphasizes the advantage of the new cores - lower power consumption, for which the buyer actually has to pay more. Therefore, the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 processor was no exception, which, despite its considerable cost, received a completely unattractive option from the “standard” coolers, which has the lowest efficiency, according to the results of our comparative testing of “boxed” models.

If the user does not intend to overclock the system, then most likely there will be no need to change the “boxed” cooler because of its noise, since they are quite quiet even at maximum speed. Another thing is when you want to create a super quiet computer, then you should pay attention to the whole variety of more expensive, but at the same time much more efficient cooling systems.

Advantages of “boxed” coolers:

  • inexpensive;
  • provide the required level of cooling;
  • almost all have a 4-pin power connector and support PWM;
  • light and small-sized;
  • simple type of fastening;
  • The area around the processor socket is cooled.

The disadvantages include:

  • not a very reliable type of fastening
  • insufficient efficiency during serious overclocking.

We express our gratitude to the company PF Service LLC (Dnepropetrovsk) for the equipment provided for testing.

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08. 10.2017

Blog of Dmitry Vassiyarov.

CPU cooling systems - what are they?

Hello, friends.

You know that the longevity of the central processor directly depends on a properly selected cooling system. So, if you spend a lot of money on a powerful CPU but don't pay enough attention to heat management, you'll soon have to buy it again.

Did you purchase a processor complete with a fan and think that you took sufficient care of its cooling? In most cases this is not the case. Why? I will talk about this further. From my article you will learn about what processor cooling systems exist, and many other important nuances on this topic.


Introduction

The processor is the hardest worker among its neighbors on the system unit. All tasks that you give to the computer go through it. The speed of their execution depends on productivity.

But keep in mind that the higher the power, the more it has to work. Therefore, it generates more heat and gets hotter. Also, its temperature increases in summer due to indoor heat. It is necessary to ensure high-quality cooling of the processor, otherwise it will quickly fail.

Types of cooling systems

So that you can immediately choose the direction in which you will move when choosing a cooling system, I will tell you about the existing categories.

Box type

The name comes from the English word “box” - box. If it is written on the packaging, it means that the device comes with a cooler included; if not, you will have to buy it separately.

These systems come in passive and active types. The first ones are equipped only with a radiator, solid or consisting of several dozen thin plates. It has a perfectly smooth base that attaches directly to the processor. It acts as a layer between them - without it, heat removal will not be effective. The latter, in addition to this, have a fan.

There are separate coolers of the same type, but in terms of efficiency they differ from box coolers - some are better, some are worse.

It can be assumed that such a system should be sufficient, because it comes with the device, and therefore is designed for its power. This is true, but only if you do not constantly overclock the CPU's capabilities to the limit. Don’t forget that the heat also affects nearby devices: video card, hard drives, RAM, etc.

Yes, the built-in cooler will not allow the temperature to reach a critical point, but it will be consistently high, which will first lead to a slowdown of the device and then to its death.

In addition, air systems make noise. If this does not scare you and you keep the percentage at the prescribed frequencies and normal temperatures, then you will not have any problems with the boxed cooler. Do you often deal with heavy programs, games with realistic graphics, or task your computer with many tasks at the same time? Then pay attention to individual coolers.

Liquid CPU Cooling Systems

As a rule, only individual parts are sold for, so you need to assemble them yourself. However, good performance and quietness are worth the effort.

In particular, closed-type water cooling is the most popular. It works like this: hot air from the processor takes over the water block and transfers it to the water; using a pump, it is transported to the second heat exchanger - a radiator, which releases heat into the air outside the system unit.

Here is an example of a closed dropsy:

Closed water cools well, since the liquid has a better heat capacity than air. It works equally stably both during normal use of the processor and when overclocking it, and also makes virtually no noise.

Cooler with heat pipes

They are easier to install than dropsy ones, and are much more effective than box models, although they are similar in design to the latter. This type also has a plate attached to the processor through thermal paste. But immediately behind it is not a radiator, but pipes. They are evacuated of air, filled with liquid and, as a rule, filled with porous material so that, thanks to the capillary effect, condensate can move in any direction, regardless of the position of the entire system.

The water takes heat from the processor and turns it into steam. It rises to the top of the tube, where it cools, condenses, and flows down. This happens without interruption while you work at the computer.

To dissipate heat, a radiator is installed on top of the tubes. Just as in the case of the box type, these models can be without a fan or with one.

Such systems now occupy a large part of the market, so let’s look at them in more detail.

Characteristics of a cooler with heat pipes

There are many manufacturers of coolers of this type, and even more models. You need to know the basic characteristics of the device in order to choose the most suitable one for your CPU.

Socket

Number of tubes

The more of them, the faster the percentage will cool. Calculate that for a regular device with a TDP of 80-100 W, 3 tubes are enough; if the heat dissipation is 150-180 W, take a cooler with 6 pipes, etc.

Design

Type “C” coolers are installed horizontally on the CPU. They are called that because the tubes from the base to the radiator are bent at an angle. This option is good for small system units and if the processor is not too powerful and rarely operates at high frequencies.

Otherwise, it is better to take a tower device, which is located vertically in relation to the processor.

Radiator

For the manufacture of radiators, aluminum (cheap models) and copper (more expensive, but of better quality) are used. They come in different shapes. As a rule, AMD produces square models, and Intel produces round ones.

By the way, there are also “bowl” type radiators: when the plates are located around the fan. This type is considered to be of higher quality than boxed ones, since the fan blows everything from the inside.

The standard size of a type “C” radiator is 80 mm, and a tower is 160 mm, but there are both larger and smaller - the choice depends on the size of your system unit and the location of components in it. Don't forget to pay attention to the diameter of the cooler, as it may simply not fit.

The base of the radiator can be solid or through. The first is preferable because it provides better contact with the processor, while the cracks of the second will eventually accumulate dust that cannot be cleaned without dismantling.

The weight of the radiator also matters. In this case, you should also start from the TDP of the processor, since the higher this value, the more massive, and therefore, the more efficient the cooler should be. Let's say that with a TDP of 100-125 W, a weight of up to 400 grams is enough, and with 200-220 W - 1 kg.

Fan

Along with the size of the fan, the efficiency of the entire system increases and the noise level decreases. Budget coolers have a propeller with dimensions of 80x80 mm. They are compact, but too noisy. Therefore, it is better to take a size of 92x92 or 120x120 mm.

This element of the cooling system can be equipped with different bearings. The cheapest are bushings, but they are also the most short-lived. The ball type is more reliable, however, it also has a drawback - it is very noisy. The best option is a hydrodynamic bearing.

Keep in mind that the smaller the cooler, the more revolutions the fan will make. In inexpensive models their number is up to 4 thousand per minute. Because of this, it seems that such a fan will carry the computer into space.

It will be great if you take a fan of 120-140 mm in size, spinning at 1300-1500 rpm.

Just so you understand, coolers that make noise no more than 25 dB are considered quiet.

You didn’t spend your time on this in vain, because now you can choose a good cooler according to the needs of your PC.

I personally prefer liquid closed cooling, because it does not take up much space in the case, and the efficiency is much higher and does not cost much more than top-end air cooling.

Any computer enthusiast, and there are a majority of them on our site, should know– What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing a cooler for and how do these small turntables differ from each other? Is it worth buying a tower cooler or is the boxed version enough? WITHIs it worth installing “dropsy” and what is Power Dissipation?I will try to answer all these questions today.

So, when they come to the store to choose a little spinning comrade for their processor, many users’ eyes begin to run wild. And this is not surprising; today the market offers a huge number of models at a wide variety of prices. Conventionally, coolers can be divided into three categories.

Boxed and heatpipe-less coolers

The simplest models on the market, consisting of an aluminum plate with fins and a fan attached to them. Almost every processor model has two versions for sale.

First - BOX version(hence the name of boxed coolers), which includes the processor itself and a simple cooler without heat pipes included.

Second version - OEM, which includes a bare processor. By the way, boxed versions usually have a much longer warranty on the product, but that’s not what we’re talking about today.

(BOX cooler DEEPCOOL THETA 9 for CPU Intel Pentium G4560)

As we can see, in this case the price is slightly different, and it differs precisely because of the included cooler and the extended warranty.

And the first question that I often get asked is: Should I buy the BOX version or buy the turntable separately? It all depends on the price and purpose of your PC. In this case, the difference is 1250 rubles, which is quite noticeable. I recommend taking the boxed version of the processor if the difference does not exceed 400-500 rubles. Plus, a bonus in the form of a big guarantee is never superfluous. As for the purpose of your computer, everything is simple, if your gaming or workstation is from the entry-level and mid-price segment, then the boxed version will be quite enough for you. If your system is closer to the top options or if it will be overclocked (during overclocking, the amount of heat generated by the processor due to increased voltage on the stone increases greatly!), then you need to buy a more advanced fan model separately. The advantages of boxed coolers include low price and compactness. The downside is that they are not suitable for powerful machines and, due to their small size, they are often quite noisy. So we've sorted out the boxes, let's move on to the next category of turntables.

Liquid cooling systems or, more simply put, “dropsy”

They consist of a copper base that is installed on the processor cover, a small pump that circulates water, a pair of tubes and a radiator with fans.

The next question I’m asked regarding cooling is: is it worth installing “dropsy”? I’ll answer right away that no. If you analyze all the pros and cons of these systems and compare them with the pros and cons of tower coolers, it becomes clear that the latter are much more advisable to buy.

Tower coolers with heat pipes

The next category of processor cooling is tower coolers with heat pipes. They consist of a copper or aluminum base, from which several heat pipes extend, to which a radiator is in turn attached. And the cooler is already attached to the radiator.


If you compare them with water cooling systems, the first thing that catches your eye is the price. Dropsy is always much more expensive. This is the first reason why I don't recommend using them. Yes, they run a little quieter and cool a little better, but is it worth the double overpayment? Everyone decides for themselves. The second reason is the complexity of operation and mandatory additional care. For the average user, checking the pump and water pipes daily is an unnecessary hemorrhoid. In general, the final decision is yours, but I outlined my position.

CPU cooler options

So, after you have decided on the choice of cooling type, you can move on to the parameters on which the final choice of a particular model will be based. The first thing to look at is the type of sockets supported. Almost every online store has this feature. If not, then you know where to look - the manufacturer’s website. I will analyze everything using the example of my processor (i5 6400) and my cooler (DeepCool Gammaxx 400).

My stone has 1151 sockets, so the cooler should be installed on the same socket.

Let's go further and look at the size of the turntable. It should fit into the housing in such a way that the side cover of the housing closes smoothly. By the way, I am often asked whether it is worth closing the case completely or leaving it open. Definitely needs to be closed! If the case is open, the air flow inside the system is disrupted and the cooling of the components becomes worse. It is also easier for dust to penetrate inside, and dust, along with high temperatures (I will never get tired of saying this) is the main evil of computer hardware! I'm getting off topic a bit, let's get back to the height of the pinwheel. The specifications for any case indicate the maximum possible height of the processor cooler,

and the characteristics of the cooler include its height, length and width. I think it will not be difficult for anyone to compare these data.

The next very important parameter is power dissipation. The processor specifications always indicate the amount of heat generated by the processor itself.

It is heat dissipation that is the sworn enemy of our cooler and it is with this that he fights every day to ensure stable operation of our stone. In general, the cooler must be able to dissipate all the heat generated by the processor. To do this, look at the power dissipation column indicated in the characteristics of the turntable.

But under no circumstances choose a cooler with a power dissipation equal to the heat dissipation of the processor. The thing is that cooler developers very often overestimate this parameter, so I recommend buying a cooler with a small margin. And if you are going to overclock your processor, then feel free to multiply the TDP of the processor by 2 and get real heat dissipation. Of course, the amount of heat during overclocking depends on the degree of overclocking itself, but in any case, always take a cooler with a small margin.

Next, be sure to look at the size of the fan. If you read my last article about, then you already know the main rule when choosing cooling. The more blades, the better. The thing is that small fans, in order to cope with the same amount of air, need to spin much faster than large ones. And the faster the cooler spins, the more noise it makes and, as a rule, wears out faster. Therefore, I advise you not to look at the parameter showing fan revolutions per minute at all. It’s more accurate to look, but make your choice based more on the size of the turntable. For example, a 120 mm turntable with 1200 rpm will be many times quieter and more efficient than an 80 mm turntable with 2400 rpm.

The next, no less important parameter is the maximum air flow.

The quieter the fan, the better.



 

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