PC Cooling options?

Question

Ok heres the story,

I'm looking at buying a new PC (only the actual base PC, no screens or keyboard or anything like that.
I want it to be quite fast with good graphics card and decent RAM.

First question: I know a lot of people with high spec computers have cooling.... does having a these powerful components generate more heat? Or do they run cooler than normal components because they do the job without really getting out of first gear?

Secondly: What options do I have when it comes to cooling? Advantages and disadvantages of each would be great

Answer 1

Your first question:

As a rule of the thumb, more powerful systems do generate more heat than their lesser counterparts. This is not because any of the powerful components individually contributing to the heat by running hotter. Lets see an example:

A basic home computer (that you would buy these days, not older systems) would have an entry level processor (like a Core2Duo E6300 running at 1.86 GHz, an AMD X2 or Pentium D range or processors), about 1 GB of RAM, a single Hard disk and maybe a cheap graphics card (some may work on onboard graphics, and may not have a graphics card at all).

Now enter the monster rig. An extreme-end processor (like a quad-core processor from intel), 4 GB of performance RAM, at least 2 hard disks, and here comes the thing which makes all the difference - two (yes, two) high-end GeForce graphics cards in SLI (a technology that makes two graphics cards run in a PC and use the power of both) mode. Though better components are efficient in running cool (like, the Core range of Intel processors claim they run 40% cooler than their AMD counterparts), a powerful rig invariably has MORE components (see the difference, from no graphics card to two?), which translates into increased overall heat. And processors running at higher clock speeds does produce more heat than those running at lower speeds.

And these monster rigs are usually run in overclocked (making components run at higher speeds than they do usually) mode, so that they generate even more heat.

Your second question:

Cooling is a science and art nowadays, that you've got a lot to learn and explore if you are enthusiastic about it. I'll try to shed some light:

1. Basic cooling - Having one or two case fans. The CPU has a fan of its own, the power supply has one of its own. Basically, such a system dissipates the heat and keeps the PC running good. A graphics card, if any, would also have its own fan. This is enough for the majority of users.

2. Added cooling - This involves adding more case fans, and particularly setting up a good ventilation system inside the case. Added fans blow air onto core components, keeping them cooler. There are hard disk coolers which have fans which blow onto hard disks, cooling them. Managing the cables and wires etc come into play here. This would enable you to overclock your components to a fair extent. Taking a little care about cooling will indeed make your system run smoother and last longer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overclocking

3. Extreme cooling - The common man's cooling solutions all involve air cooling. Extreme cooling involves circulating a coolant (water, usually and liquid Nitrogen, in the really extreme cases) using specialised cooling systems. This is the purely enthusiast realm. Such cooling doesn't make any sense for the normal or the expert user, and is only employed where really extreme overclocking and testing is involved.

AnandTech is a nice place to read on Case cooling and other tech enthusiast stuff.

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/

Answer 2

in theory, every computer needs to have cooling of some kind, but these range from standard fans, to water cooling systems (all the way to immersing the PC in liquid nitrogen:P)

The more powerful the component, the more heat it is gonna generate, although, usually the more powerful ones also have better heat distribution systems.

In answer to your second question, money is the first obstacle. The more money you can put into your cooling system, the better you are gonna get.

Cheap option: pleanty of fans: each case comes with the ability to install more fans (front, side and back) you could simply increase the amount of fans you have in the system (remember that each fan also uses power so make sure you have enough power sources to cope (you can buy an adapter to split a power supply plug into two)) Also, when installing more fans, make sure they are all pushing the airflow in the same direction; having two fans pushing air back and forth between each other doesnt help your situation at all.

Another thing is that no matter how many fans you have, you have to make sure that the air flow around the tower is not restricted; again, you can have a HUGE fan that is next to a wall, and it will do nothing.

Water cooling system: More expensive than fans, but infinitely better. Should really be installed by a professional (as water and electric dont mix well :)) these work by circulating water around all the major components of the PC, passing it through a cooling chamber in cycles. These not only work well, but look fantastic, you can colour the water and create a whole new world inside your PC.

Nitrogen system: Completely immerse your computer in liquid nitrogen (after having it sealed against liquid damage). It keeps the system at a stupidly low temperature and everything can run at optimum speed. Might cost you a bob or two however :) hehe

Final thought, if you are a home user, and don't need to overload your PC, a reasonable amount of fans is sufficient, but water cooling looks sooooo much better :)

Answer 3

Just don't make the mistake of getting a PresHOT, I mean Prescott core Pentium 4 and similar processors like the Pentium Ds. They are only fast in producing HEAT.

The Core2 Duos and energy efficient AMDs have lower wattage (65 watts or less). They should be fine with the stock cooler. BUT if you overclock, you'll never go wrong with the great Thermalright Ultra 90 or 120. Scythe's Infinity and Ninja are also good.

This is what my idol mean of fast:
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc?id=166676