Buying a computer is always a responsible business. It is important that all components are compatible and work correctly with each other. In this matter, you need to think through everything to the smallest detail. In addition to the component models, even coolers must be correctly selected. Their sizes may vary, depending on the form factor of the chassis and processor model.
For what?
Before dealing with the size of the cooler, you need to understand why, in general, you need a PC cooling system.
The more system components, the more heat they emit. Of course, manufacturers are trying to create products that would produce as little heat as possible. The higher the temperature of the component, the greater the likelihood of failures and overheating of the elements.
A particularly pressing issue is the cooling of PCs for gaming systems and multimedia. It is a powerful hardware that requires a high-quality cooler, which would cope with excessive heating during time-consuming tasks.
PC cooling
What is PC cooling all about? If we take into account the average system, we can distinguish several cooling elements. The main one in this case is the cooler for the processor, which copes with heating not only the chip itself, but also other elements.
The cooler is on the video card. It can be one, two or three-slot. This option is designed exclusively for cooling the graphics adapter, although it also helps to cope with a certain percentage of system heating.
Also, the cooling system is in the power supply, since it takes care of the power of all components and, accordingly, must cope with heating.
Coolers can be found in the case itself. Depending on the heat dissipation of each component, the user decides how many fans to place in the chassis. The sizes of coolers for the case may vary. It all depends on the form factor and model of the system unit.
Types of PC cooling
The cooling system may be different. It all depends on what tasks the PC performs and how much heat the components emit.
The simplest is an air cooling system, which can be passive due to the operation of one radiator or active due to the operation of the radiator and fan.
Liquid cooling is less common because it is very expensive. Usually it is used in expensive gaming systems, and sometimes just for beauty. The advantage of such a CO is its increased efficiency and noiselessness.
Freon installation is an even more rare type of CO in a PC. Typically, this option is used for experimental models that are designed to work with overclocking of all components.
The refrigeration unit has an evaporator, which is aimed at the most heated components (processor or video card). Such an OS is complex and very expensive, demanding on electricity consumption.
Cooler
This is sometimes called a conventional fan used in air cooling systems. But this is wrong, because the cooler is a combination of a fan and a radiator. The mechanism is more cumbersome and consists of several components. It is installed on elements that produce heat: processors, graphics processors, chipset chips.
CO can be passive and active. If a computer works with simple tasks (text editors and multimedia players), it can easily do with one heatsink.
Gaming computers require more serious cooling. Therefore, users use an active cooling cooler. The size of the cooler usually depends on the processor model. Therefore, this issue must be studied separately.
Buying a separate cooler
Immediately it is worth discussing the issue of buying a separate cooler for the processor. Self-assembly of a PC usually raises a huge number of questions for those who have never done such a thing. And if compatibility problems can still be solved by studying the components, then the question of buying a separate cooling system is an individual matter.
It is important to understand that now manufacturers are trying to make the so-called cold components, which would not emit a lot of heat and would not overheat. Therefore, the demand for powerful JIs has long ceased to be relevant.
For example, if the system runs on the GTX 1050 and Core i5, then it will work well on a standard cooler. And although this is not a classic gaming PC with two or three video cards and a powerful processor, it also copes with all popular games, while being quite budgetary.
Therefore, before looking for sizes for a processor cooler, think about how much you need a more expensive option. Most often, SBs from the box easily cope with tasks.
But sometimes the desired processor comes without a cooler. You will have to look separately for CO and deal with its size.
How to understand that the processor comes without a cooler? Firstly, manufacturers and online stores often indicate this in the specifications for the device. Secondly, the Box model usually means that there is a cooler in the box. But it is worth watching if there is no indication after this that there is no CO.
What does it look like?
The sizes of coolers for a computer may vary. Much depends on their design. They are:
- with aluminum radiator;
- with radiator from plates;
- with heat pipes.
Of course, there are other design options. Some manufacturers are trying to attract fans of unusual shapes. But the above options are the most popular on the market.
Aluminum heatsink
The simplest and cheapest is a cooler with an aluminum radiator. In such models, the standard fan size is usually 80 mm. But the shape of the base can vary. If you analyze this niche, you will notice that Intel processors are often equipped with round radiators, and AMD - square ones.
This option is designed to work in simple systems. Therefore, it can be found bundled with medium processors. There are such coolers separately for sale, but in this case it is better to add money and purchase a better option.
Plate radiator
This is a fairly rare version of coolers. Its dimensions are compact, and this is its main advantage. The radiator consists of aluminum or copper plates. Often has a rounded shape and a recess for the fan.
This option does a little better with standard tasks than the previous one. But still inferior to newer options. It is very difficult to find such a model in the market, and such a choice is not always justified.
Heat pipes
Today, among air cooling, the cooler with heat pipes is a clear favorite. This is a large cooling system. She is the most popular and effective.
The horizontal version of this model is often placed in compact cases. Despite the fact that the OS works efficiently, the air outlet is not implemented in the best way.
That is why a vertical design of the same cooler is placed in large chassis. Dimensions for the case can be large, so you have to think in advance about the structure of the system and its performance.
Vertical coolers with heat pipes are usually placed in powerful systems that work with overclocking and resource-intensive programs and require improved cooling.
Cooler base
The cooling system can be equipped with a different base. In the most simplified version, the usual basis is directly the aluminum radiator: beveled or solid. The latter option is more preferable.
The base is also part of copper. She is in contact with the processor. This option is slightly better than the previous one, and is designed for simplified systems.
There is a fully copper base and direct contact. The copper tubes are pressed together, making them the same plate.
Cooler radiator
The sizes of coolers for PCs usually largely depend on the shape and design of the radiator. And they can be completely different.
Aluminum radiators are considered cheap and simple, but provide heat capacity. They also have problems with uniform heat output. They require powerful fans and make a lot of noise.
There are aluminum radiators with copper inserts. They are slightly better than the previous version and are almost never used.
A good option is a radiator made of copper plates. The material has good heat capacity and also evenly distributes heat. The problem with this option is that because of the large thermal inertia, heat removal takes longer.
The most popular now is a radiator with aluminum fins. Moreover, such a model is equipped with copper heat sink tubes. As a result, the user gets an effective cooling system.
Heat pipes take on the heat of the processor, which then goes to the aluminum fins of the radiator. It remains the case for the fan, which blows heat out of the case.
Radiator dimensions
The sizes of coolers for PCs often depend on the dimensions of the heatsink. But the dimensions of this component of CO directly affect the efficiency of work. If you settled on a tower type of housing, then the height of the radiator should not exceed 160 mm.
It is important to determine the width of the element. The fact is that now the MicroATX form factor motherboards are the cheapest, so there is very little space on the platform. If the heatsink is too wide, it may interfere with all other components.
Therefore, it is better to use large-sized cooling systems in full-format systems with large chassis and ATX form factor motherboards.
By the way, few people know, but sometimes the weight of the radiator is important. If the processor TDP is 100-120 W, then the cooler can weigh no more than 300-400 grams. This is usually the case with Intel processors. The manufacturer is trying to work on "cold" models with reduced heat.
But AMD users often complain about excessive heat. In this case, the overall dimensions of the cooler should be significant. If the processor works with a TDP of more than 200 watts, then you can watch a kilogram cooler.
Fan
The third part of the cooler, which is an important component of an active air cooling system. Fan sizes typically affect CO performance and noise levels.
Interestingly, the larger the fan, the quieter it works, not to mention its increased efficiency. The simplest and cheapest option are elements with a size of 80 × 80 mm. They are easy to change, and sometimes it is often necessary to do this.
Most experts recommend purchasing a 92 × 92 mm fan, and it is better to turn to a 120 × 120 mm model.
Naturally, such a large element directly affects the size of the entire CO. By the way, AMD’s standard cooler sizes are models with a 140 × 140 mm fan. This option will help the radiator cope with excessive processor heat, and will also work quietly.
Cooler mount
Mounting sizes for coolers are most often universal. Especially when it comes to simple and medium models. But more complex cooling systems require attention.
Universal mounting is necessary so that it is possible to install a cooler on any motherboard. For example, there are plug-in systems that require precise installation in a specific hole around the perimeter of the processor. After that, it is enough to press the cooler down to a characteristic click.
There is a screw mount. In this case, the kit has a special plate that is designed for load distribution. In this case, use screws to install.
Cooler choice
In order not to miscalculate the size of the cooler for the computer, it is better to carefully choose the elements of the system. As mentioned earlier, if you purchase a processor paired with a boxed model, it is better not to come up with a bicycle and use the standard version.
If you still had to choose a cooler yourself, then you need to understand the characteristics of the processor. Thanks to them, it will be possible to correctly determine the model of the cooling system.
After that, it will be enough to study the parameters of the available coolers and choose the suitable one for yourself.
Work with the processor
How to find out the size of the cooler? First, select the processor on which the system will work. After we define the socket and its TDP. What does each of these options mean?
Socket is a connector on the motherboard. It has a certain design and is designed for specific processor models. This indicator is one of the main ones when choosing a chip and motherboard. Wrong choices will affect device compatibility.
In addition to the different design of the socket, there is a difference in the mounts for the cooler. Knowing this indicator, you can go in search of the desired CO.
Although it is important to determine the TDP - the heat dissipation of the processor. If it is high, then you have to choose a large cooler. Its dimensions should also fit into the parameters of the motherboard. Some recommend purchasing a cooler with two fans, if the processor TDP is more than 180 watts. Accordingly, such a model will be very cumbersome. It is not suitable for the motherboard form factor MicroATX, as well as compact cases.
Work with a cooler
So, knowing all the necessary characteristics of the processor, you can understand how to determine the size of the cooler. To do this, just go to any online store that sells cooling systems.
In the filters, you can select the appropriate processor socket, as well as its heat dissipation. The system itself will select the necessary options.
By the way, most coolers are suitable for several processors at once. If you replace the latter, you can keep your cooling system and install it on a new chip.
There are problems with determining the most beneficial TDP. Most CO manufacturers do not indicate this parameter in the specifications. Therefore, most often you have to look for it yourself.
Some manufacturers (such as Noctua) on the site may provide a comparative table of models. There you can find the cooler option that is most suitable for your system and processor.
What should be the perfect cooler?
Of course, achieving an ideal is extremely rare. The market is also not aimed at selling the ideal equipment, as many manufacturers are not profitable. But an ideal cooling system should:
- be effective, with optimal thermal resistance;
- universal - install on more sockets;
- easy to mount - easy to install and remove;
- wear resistant;
- steady and not create vibrations;
- work not only with the processor, but also with the microcircuit board.
Also, most buyers are convinced that only eminent manufacturers have good products. Of course, this statement is not always justified, but there is some truth in it. Therefore, many recommend paying attention to coolers:
- Noctua.
- Scythe.
- Thermalright
- Cooler Master.
- Thermaltake
- Zalman.
The first three are the best manufacturers from Austria, Japan and Taiwan, respectively. Their products deserve attention due to their high quality and longevity. Coolers are efficient and powerful. But these brands are less common in the CIS countries.
But about Zalman, Cooler Master and Thermaltake definitely heard many. These are eminent manufacturers who produce a large number of coolers. The products are of high quality and efficient.
If there is not much money, but you want to choose a more or less suitable option, you can turn to the models DeepCool, Ice Hammer, TITAN and GlacialTech. Manufacturers provide budget options. Coolers almost never break, problems can arise only with fans.
Power Supply
As already mentioned, there are several coolers in the case. All of them are designed for specific tasks and each relate to its component. Why do I need to know the size of the power supply cooler?
It so happened that the PSU can produce quite a lot of noise. In this case, some users decide to change the fan inside. But for this you need to know its size.
The easiest way, of course, is to find out the specification of the power supply in the instructions for it or on the Internet. The characteristics of the device usually indicate the size of the cooler, as well as its fan. Further, it will be enough to choose a more expensive option.
The computer case
Sometimes called a regular fan cooler. Of course, this is not entirely true, since a cooler is a broader concept. The fan, in turn, is only a design with blades on a motor.
Nevertheless, many people want to know how to determine the size of the cooler for the case. In this case, we are talking about additional cooling in the chassis. , , - , , .
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