The processor in the computer takes a leading role, since its tasks include system management. When buying and operating, it is important to consider all parameters, including processor heat dissipation. This is what this article will be about.
The principle of the processor
There is a certain sequence of actions according to which the processor performs its functions. The block that controls the processor loads data from RAM, which will subsequently be used. After that, the instructions are placed in the processor cache.
When the data is loaded into the memory buffer, they are overwritten in the instructions, then to move them to the register. When the logical device reads the received registers, it thereby executes the commands prescribed in them.
After executing the commands, you need to store the results somewhere, and the processor saves them in its cache for future use. If the information is needed again, the processor will receive it already twice as fast, since it is already stored in the buffer memory.
If the information stored in the buffer is no longer in demand, then the processor moves it to RAM, since it is possible to store more information in it, and the space for new data is freed up in the cache.
CPU Parameters
Such a parameter as processor heat dissipation is one of the main ones, since this calculation helps to find out which cooler is best installed.
The main characteristic in choosing a processor is the core. That is, the more there are, the more threads, and this, in turn, increases the performance of the central processor.
The process is just as important as the heat dissipation of the processor. The fact is that this parameter becomes smaller every year and it is measured in nanometers. The manufacturing process has millions of transistors that are responsible for transmitting direct and alternating voltage, converting it into a binary number system.
The frequency of the processor indicates its speed of information transfer and data processing. That is, the higher the frequency, the more efficient the processor. On some of them you can see an additional letter, which makes it clear that the device is intended for overclocking. There is no sense in everyday use, but in games, processor performance plays an important role, because you have to read a huge data stream. Overclocking the processor is only necessary if it is really necessary and the cooling system allows it. Similar procedures are carried out through the BIOS menu.
DDP, or heat dissipation, shows how much heat is released during processor operation. Based on this data, the user selects a cooler that will be able to cool it and the power supply. The maximum heat dissipation of the processor is indicated in the device parameters.
The processor cache can be multi-level, and each level has a unique memory margin and data transfer speed. The higher the level of the memory buffer, the slower it works, but it has a large memory supply. So, the first level cache communicates faster with the processor, because it is closer, but the memory bank is very small. But the third level may have 8 megabytes of memory, but located further from the processor chip, so he has to access it through the first two caches.
Of course, when purchasing a processor, it is important to consider its generation and series. These parameters are in the first place, because it depends on them which socket should be selected for the processor, as well as the motherboard.
These were all important parameters. And the maximum heat emission of the processor allows you to find out about its power consumption.
Data calculation
Many users after the overclocking procedure are interested in how to correctly calculate the heat dissipation of the processor. In the example, a processor is involved in which the heat dissipation is 65 watts.
Almost all processors after overclocking increase their frequency by about thirty percent. Thus, you need to take the original number 65 and multiply by 30. After that, divide the resulting number by 100. It turns out 19.5. You can round to twenty. Now it turns out that the heat dissipation of the overclocked processor is 85 watts.
You can increase the frequency by a larger number of percent, only in the calculations you need to substitute the figure by which the initial processor heat is multiplied.
Program Indicators
From the previous paragraph, we found out how to find out the heat dissipation of the processor. We continue to discuss this topic further.
Processor temperature monitoring programs cannot show how much the processor actually generates heat. For example, "Aida" or BIOS can only show the temperature that is currently available, but with active operation, the processor heats up very much, and this is difficult to track. Therefore, the most reliable option to find out the maximum heat dissipation of the processor is to make calculations.
Intel processors
When purchasing a processor from this manufacturer, it is important to consider the generation and series. For Intel processors, heat dissipation depends on what temperature the device can withstand. With this data, you can select the appropriate cooling system.
Processors from this manufacturer, which are designed for mobile computers, have a heat output of 35 watts. It is not difficult to cool such chips if you use the simplest cooler with copper tubes and a radiator. The frequency of such processors is from two to three Hz.
Core i3
The heat dissipation of processors for stationary computers of this line reaches 50 watts. Here, cooling will be needed more seriously, but during operation the temperature does not rise to high levels. Thus, the cooling system can be represented as an aluminum radiator without tubes, with a fan.
Core i5
A reduced process allows you to consume less energy, but in addition to it, among the innovations it is also worth noting an increase in the number of cores to four and an increase in operating frequencies. These parameters increase the power consumption of the central processor.
The heat dissipation of the i5 processor does not reach 75 watts, but manufacturers recommend installing a cooler at 95 watts. It's all about overclocking potential, that is, the standard frequency is about 3.5 Hz, and the processor can be overclocked to 4.2 Hz. With increasing frequencies, the heat emission of the processor also increases.
Core i7
The heat dissipation of the i7 processor is practically no different from the previous generation, i.e. 65-75 watts. For such CPUs, better cooling in the form of a tower cooler will be needed. Since this generation has a different connector for connecting, the cooler must be selected in size.
An interesting comparison can be made with two models 7700 and 7700K. The letter at the end means that the processor is designed for overclocking, but the performance gain is only ten percent. Most importantly, with such a minimal increase, the processor's heat dissipation increased by 30 watts.
Subsequent models have heat dissipation reaching a bar of 200 W despite the fact that their frequency is 5 Hz. This is what the heat dissipation of Intel processors is.
AMD FX
The initial heat dissipation of AMD FX processors reaches 95 watts at an operating frequency of 3.5 Hz. The uniqueness of the processors of this manufacturer is that the ratio of price and quality differs from competitive models. So, the processor of the latest model can cost 25-30 percent cheaper than its competitors.
At the same time, AMD uses its unique socket AM3 +. Returning to heat generation, we can distinguish models with a TDP of 125 W, and their frequency barely reaches 4 Hz. The central processors, which overcame the 220 W bar, are able to work with an initial frequency of 4.7 Hz. However, it is not known how the cooler will cool the CPU if you try to disperse it. Of course, you can refer to the calculations presented above, but the percentage of overclocking processors of this manufacturer is unpredictable.
Choosing and installing a cooler for Intel i5 and i7
So, the choice of cooler depends on some parameters.
- CPU heat dissipation.
- Energy consumption.
- Overclocking ability.
- Connector (socket).
If the heat dissipation of the initial state of the processor allows you to use a boxed cooler, then you should not worry about cooling. When the TDP overcomes the 95 W mark, then you will need to purchase a tower cooler with copper tubes, a radiator and a fan.
The modern market can offer various variations of such coolers, but their installation on the processor remains unchanged. To begin with, it is worth removing the system unit cover and disconnecting all accessories from the motherboard to bring it into a horizontal position. Then, a reinforcing bar is attached to the rear panel so that the cooler does not deform the motherboard.
It is necessary to apply a drop of thermal paste to the processor and evenly distribute it on the surface. Now the radiator is placed opposite the screw holes that come with the cooler. After that, the fan joins, and the motherboard, along with the cooler, can be placed back into the system unit case.
Cooling for AMD FX
The parameters for acquiring a cooler are similar, as in the previous example, but the installation is slightly different.
Having placed the motherboard in a horizontal position, it is necessary to apply thermal grease to the processor and smear it, after which a radiator with tubes and a fan is mounted. The fact is that coolers for processors of this manufacturer are installed in a completely different way. In the lower left corner there is a lever that leans back so that the cooling can be installed. Then the lever lowers, making a characteristic click, meaning that the cooler is fixed. It is important to know that distortions and irregularities are unacceptable, since this can lead to the fact that the generated heat will not be properly removed by the tubes - and the processor will simply burn out.
The principle of operation of the cooler is simple - the processor heats up during operation, thermal grease ensures full contact between the processor and the cooler, the tubes are engaged in heat sink to the radiator, and it is cooled by a fan, expelling hot air. Coolers with a radiator without tubes or without a fan have a low heat sink, and with all attributes the processor does not face overheating.
All coolers are purchased in accordance with the socket, since they differ among themselves not only in the arrangement of the "legs", but also in size. If the diameter of the fans is improperly selected, the processor will not be able to cool as it should, and in the other case, the cooler simply will not fit.
Coolers with a cable for three and four contacts are slightly different from each other. Three-pin cooling works at full power, even when the processor is not exposed to active load. Another thing is four contacts. An additional contact allows the cooler to control the fan speed in accordance with the load on the processor. Thus, during passive operation, the processor practically does not heat up - the fans spin poorly, but in games or programs where calculations are actively being carried out, the fans operate at full power.