Let’s have a look at liquid cooling systems.
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What is a Liquid Cooling System?
So, what exactly is a liquid cooling system? These are cooling systems that use a liquid, typically water, to cool the CPU and can also be used to cool other components like GPUs. Generally speaking, they are better than air cooling for removing heat. However, like most things in computing, you get what you pay for. They come in open and closed versions.
A closed-loop system, often referred to as an All-In-One or AIO, comes pre-assembled and fully sealed, ensuring the coolant remains contained within the unit. This design simplifies installation and reduces maintenance needs, offering a straightforward, reliable cooling solution. While AIO coolers lack options for customization and upgrades, they strike an excellent balance between cost, convenience and performance, making them an appealing choice for users seeking efficiency without the complexity of custom setups.
An open loop system is customizable and is not sealed. This means you can add additional components like extra water reservoirs. However, you will need to add water to them, and they require additional maintenance. For open loop systems, there is potential for higher performance and aesthetics, but as it is not pre-sealed there is also a higher risk of leaks.
Components of Liquid Cooling
The two main components of liquid cooling systems are the block and the radiator. The block is generally attached to the CPU, but it can also be attached to other components like a GPU. The heat is transferred using the water to the radiator. In an AIO system, the pump is generally always in the block. In other systems it may be elsewhere. The pump is an important component of the system. If the pump were to fail, the water would stop circulating and heat would not be transferred away from the CPU.
The heat is then transferred to the air using the radiator.
For the A+ exam, that is really all you need to know about water coolers. For the rest of this video, I will go through how water coolers work to give you a better understanding if you should wish to purchase one or not. After that, I will demonstrate how to install one. So, if you are just studying for the exam, feel free to end it here and I will see you in the next video.
How do Coolers Work?
To understand how a water cooler works, let’s consider that we have a CPU that starts warming up and giving off heat. Modern CPUs generate substantial heat and require effective cooling solutions. To address this, a metal heat sink is placed on top of the CPU to dissipate heat efficiently.
As the heat sink absorbs heat, it becomes crucial to channel this heat away from the CPU. In a typical CPU cooling setup, heat is effectively redirected through heat pipes or a larger heat sink, distancing it from the processor. This heat is then dispersed into the surrounding air, commonly with the assistance of fans, ensuring optimal cooling efficiency.
Now, let’s consider what happens with a water cooler. This time the heat is transferred using water. As before, the heat is transferred to the air. So, what is the difference between the two?
The difference is that water absorbs heat and transfers it better. So, this allows heat to be pulled away from the CPU more efficiently and effectively. Thus, generally speaking, a water cooler can keep a CPU a couple of degrees cooler under heavy loads. However, a good CPU cooler will outperform a low-quality water cooler.
Given that both cooling solutions rely on dissipating heat into the air, it is important to note that operating the computer in a warm environment will reduce cooling efficiency. Without access to cooler air to facilitate heat transfer, the CPU will run hotter potentially reducing its effectiveness.
In The Real World
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References
“The Official CompTIA A+ Core Study Guide (Exam 220-1101)” pages 49 to 50
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