Contents

Introduction
..2
The History of Cool(ing).
.2
The Air
Conditioner..2

Thesis

..3

How do Computers cool

themselves? .....................................4
Air
Cooling
.4
Liquid
Cooling
..5
Heat Pipes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

The Ultimate Question: Which Method is

Better?.......................6
Round
1
..6

Round
2
..6
Round
3
..7
Round
4
..7
Round
5.
.8
Other Factors.
...8

Conclusion.........................................................
...............9
References.........................................................
..............10
Glossary
..11

Introduction
Computers are everywhere. As of time of writing, there are over 1 billion computers that are
in operation around the world. They are used for a range of uses; from writing documents, to
presenting presentations, to checking emails, to calculating spread sheets, to publishing
reports, to browsing the web, to watching movies, to listening to music and for playing games.
All of these activities all use the computer processing units (CPU), or similar computer
components power in order to preform; and like all electronics, the more energy it uses to
perform tasks, the more work is placed on a computers components, and so the total amount
of thermal energy is increased.

Computer Heat is a very annoying complication for those who use laptops and notebooks.
Because the computers CPU is located directly under the keyboard, and since most modern
laptops are made out of aluminium, a thermal-conductive metal, it can make the experience
rather painful to type on.
Fortunately, since then many individuals have been working to find the most effective way of
reducing heats inside electronics, and many have wondered for many years how to create the
coolest computer.

The History of Cool(ing)

The Air Conditioner
The first instance of using equipment to especially combat heat in
electronics was in fact, used for a printer. In 1902, US inventor William
Havilland Carrier was trying to deduce why his paper was warping during
specific times in the day. After a few tests, he realised that the problem was
due to the temperature fluctuations in the surrounding air that was causing
his paper to warp. A solution came in the form of the worlds first air
conditioner, designed to maintain the surround air cool enough to stop this
issue.
Now, at the time, Fan technology was already invented to decrease temperature in rooms, so cooling
was fairly common in the business world. But what made Carriers invention
One of the very
intriguing, is that it not only controlled the temperature, but controlled the
first air-cons
humidity, i.e. the amount of moisture with the room. As the vapour particles
in the room had thermal energy, Carriers invention became more effective to get rid of thermal energy
than convention fans by getting rid on the vapour particles, rather than try to cool them.
But alas, it would take another 25 years before the application of the air conditioner became
commercially available, but at the time The Great Depression had already taken hold, and so nobody
had the money to buy the things, especially as they were priced at much as 3 times as high in todays
money. It wasnt till the 1950s, where consumption was at an all-time high, that the idea of an airconditioner inside a living room entered mainstream culture.
However, since then Carriers idea that cool air itself cannot simply be enough to cool down everything,
so when computers needed to be extensively cooled, intense research in the 1970s searched for an
alternative which could be more effective than just air. And in 1976, the digital world found that
alternative: liquid-cooling.

Thesis

WARNING: If youre the casual computer user, and have come into this article knowing only a
Although
the intention
of this article
is be
toowondering
see if indeed
liquid cooling
a better
basic knowledge
of computing,
you may
how air-cooling
and is
liquid-cooling
actually
works,
and
how
this
applies
to
your
casual-computing
needs.
Unfortunately,
a be
alternative to air cooling, this research has doubts that a distinct comparison can
comprehensive
explanation
on how
methods
of cooling
work will require
in
made,
due to the
diverse types
of these
computer
designs
and components
out knowledge
there.
complex concepts
andthat
principles
in the
areas
of advancedwill
thermodynamics,
as well
as a that
Therefore,
the Thesis
will drive
this
investigation
be that the best
choice
diverse
vocabulary
of
scientific
terminology
relating
to
thermodynamics.
the best system is really up to what type of computer a user has.
As a result, this next section will seem completely confusing and unclear to those who do not
understand the definitions of the scientific terminology or principles. To resolve this issue,
detailed diagrams will be provided which try to explain each cooling process as simple as
possible, so that the resulting comparison between them will be as informative as possible.
However, even simple knowledge of thermodynamics will help significantly increase
understanding the processes of this section.

How do Computers cool themselves?

Air Cooling/Active Heat-sink

Air cooling, otherwise known as an active Heat-ink, is a type of cooling which utilizes
the principles of Heat Flow and Thermal Equilibrium, in order to draw thermal energy
from a computer component, where the air flow, through the motion of a fan, takes it
out of the computer.
The device used to draw heat from a computer component is called a heat-sink. HeatSinks are usually made out of aluminium or copper, due to their high Thermal
Conductivity. They also have a much larger surface area and
employ a finned design, because helps the thermal energy
spread more evenly, as well as act as a catalyst for the cooling
system to carry away the heat more easily and also to keep the air flow
consistent throughout the computer.

Heat-Sinks work by Thermal Conduction, where the heat moves

from the computer component to the end of a heat-sink. As the
energy at the end of the Heat-Sink is no longer under a constant
Active Heatsource of heat, the energy is lost to the surrounding area, which
Sink with Fan.
then heat flows to the colder regions of the Heat-sink, and the
process repeats, until the component and the Heat-Sink reaches equilibrium. In
theory, once thermal equilibrium is reached, the combined temperature of the HeatSink and the component would be lower than the component by itself, allowing the
component to run faster, and to decrease the chance of overheating and possible
damage to the component.
An active Heat-Sink, as opposed to a Passive Heat-Sink, uses a fan to remove thermal
energy from the heat-sink and outside of the computer, while a Passive Heat-Sink only
uses the principle of Natural Convection.
Fan Cooling is mainly used for modern computer components which generate high
electrical power, and therefore high thermal energy, (e.g. CPU or GPU) as the use of
forced air-flow is usually found to be faster to carry thermal energy out of a computer
than would be by natural air-flow. However, passive Heats-Sinks are often used on
components which do not exert high thermal energy, but are still essential for
computer function, such as hard drives and RAM sticks larger than 2GB.

Liquid Cooling
Liquid Cooling is a process that uses a ThermoConductive liquid, usually water, to cool down
a computer component, hence the name.
Unlike Air-Cooling, which takes the thermal
energy away by conduction from the
component to where the convection takes
place, liquid cooling transfers the thermal
energy from the component to the liquid
through convection, which then the heated
liquid is taken away from component to be
cooled down. Liquid cooling in computers,
strangely enough, uses the same principle as
DIY Liquid-Cooling System, showing
an automobiles combustion engine, as the
water is circulated through a heat-sink onto the computer component and out to a
radiator, where the liquid is cooled back down, in order to be re-used in the cycle.
Liquid Cooling uses convection, where the thermal energy is taken away from the
component to the liquid, like how heat is taken to the air in air-cooling. Liquid Cooling
is different that instead of using the air flow inside of a computer case to direct air
outside of the computer, liquid cooling never leaves the computer, as the liquid
travels through pipes, because liquid coolant usually damages electronics if they
come in direct contact.

Heat Pipe
A technique similar to Liquid Cooling, in
the sense as it uses a closed-loop
convection system, is a Heat Pipe. How it
differs is that the liquid is specially
chosen that once it has absorbs thermal
energy, it evaporates, and when it
returns to the radiator to cool down, it
condenses. This has the additional
benefit of taking advantage of Phase
Transitions, which means that more heat
A Laptop Heat-Pipe system
energy is expelled with temperature
changes and is theoretically more efficient than Liquid Cooling. The pipes used
in this technique are also much smaller than use in liquid cooling, but are also
much more expensive, due to the specific nature of the liquid. Due to this, they
are mainly used for laptops and small Desktop computers.

The Ultimate Question: Which Method is

better?
It should be stated at this point, that every computer regardless of manufacture, is
unique. Every computer user uses their computer differently to others, and so age
changes the make of the computer. No matter how informative this article may be,
there is a chance that your computer will have custom parts that will not factor in this
analysis. In this is the case, then contact the manufacturer or retailer than sold the
parts to see which cooling system is right for you.
For those who buy the stock parts, then this analysis will use 5 criteria to judge which
cooling system is better: Complexity/Simplicity, Cost ($), Efficiency, Interference and
Safety. To keep the contest fair, the two cooling systems will be judged by selecting
each candidate as closely matched in as many criteria as possible.
The candidates are the Noctua NH-U14S Fan for air-cooling, and the
Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360 liquid cooling-system for
liquid-cooling.

The Noctua NHU14S Fan

The Copper Radiator Water +

Water Cooling Kit v360

Round 1: Complexity/Simplicity
This criterion deals with the difficulty and expertise
associated with the installation and maintenance of each
type of cooling system, along with appropriate testing
and repairing.

A Liquid-Cooling system
showing the complexities
of its installation.

Noctua NH-U14Ss Heat-sinks need to be cleaned of dust

frequently, as dust impedes the thermal energy from
transferring to the air and the computer case needs to be
created so that the air flows quickly in and out, and keeping so that the hot air and
cold air are kept separate. However, the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360,
like many liquid-cooling systems, has a problematic installation as it needs to be
designed so the water is pumped rapidly enough to keep the computer components
cool enough, as well as that the water is not re-used for another component without
being cooled down again. Problems also exist in regular testing and repair of the pipes

from a liquid coolant leak, such liquids are often also electro-conductive, the most
common being water. In contrast, the Noctua NH-U14S is much more easier to install,
as the Heat-Sinks are using bolted on to the component and the fans are installed at
the back of the machine (exhaust fan) in a standard installation. Therefore, the point
goes to Air-Cooling.
Air-Cooling
1

Liquid Cooling
0

Round 2: Cost ($$$)

This criterion deals with the cost to buy and install the equipment necessary for each
cooling-system to work.
Noctua NH-U14S, while it is slightly less powerful than the Copper Radiator + Water
Cooling Kit v360, is cheaper to buy than Noctua NH-U14S by $10, even when the
additional fans and heat sink are required for a complete package.
Also, taking in account that most computer uses have difficulty to install water-cooling
units, and will resort to getting experts to install it for them, most that would require a
fee. The install fee will vary from each expert, nut a good rule of thumb is that they
will take about an hour, and change about $50/hr, so a fee of about $50 is most likely.
Along with this fee, costs in repairing and testing liquid pipes, and the occasional
leakage resulting in a replacement computer parts, the cost is much higher in this
area than in air-cooling, even though the Noctua NH-U14S requires cleaning, and a
thermal compound may be needed if the surface of a computer component is uneven.
Preliminary Cost (estimated price) in $AUD

Purchase Price

Air-Cooling System

Liquid-Cooling System

2 * $77.50 (Fans) + $50

(Additional Heat Sink)

(Complete Kit)
$215

= $205
Install Price

Free (Easiness of Install

makes

Free to $50/hr. (Depends on

Experts Rates)

Other Prices (Repairs,

Refills etc.)

Cleaning Unit - $25

Repairs - $20

Thermal Compounds - $10

Distilled Water $15

Total
$240
So while the efficiency of air-cooling systems is lower in similarly costed liquid-cooling
systems, the extra fees in installation and repair will outweigh the extra benefit on
performance from the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360. So another point for
Air-Cooling.

Air-Cooling
2

Liquid Cooling
0

Round 3: Efficiency
This criterion deals with the ability of the cooling-system to transfer thermal energy, in
relation to the least amount of power consumption.
The Noctua NH-U14S, as it partially relies on natural convection to move thermal
energy through air flow, it uses less power than the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling
Kit v360, to transfer thermal energy, at (1200/140) RPM/Airflow, or 8W of Thermal
Energy. However, the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360 can deliver much
more performance, as the high Thermal Conductivity of water means it can transfer
more than 2 times as much heat as the Noctua NH-U14S, given at 18W of Thermal
Energy. By utilising direct convection rather than conduction to transfer thermal
energy from the computer component, the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360
can transfer thermal energy more rapidly and more energy can be transferred, due to
the water in the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360 having a higher specific
heat and thermal conductivity.
Therefore, the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360 has better performance to
transfer energy despite taking in more power than Noctua NH-U14S, and so liquidcooling takes the point for Efficiency.
Air-Cooling
2

Liquid Cooling
1

Round 4: Interferences
This criterion deals with the cooling-system to work while keeping any potential
problems facing the user when they are working on the computer.
The Noctua NH-U14S has a common disadvantage that, like all fans, constitute to a
noise problem when they are working at full speed, which is recorded to reach a
maximum of 45dB. While unnoticeable at most times, air-cooling fans are known for
being quite loud when dealing with intense applications, sometimes noted as being
louder than the application itself, sometimes even unable to stop overheating in highend computers. The Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360 also has problems in
that have been outline previously in this article: frequent maintenance and power
consumption, but as its parts do not move as much air cooled ones, and therefore not
as much energy is lost to sound, it has a much lower noise level than the Noctua NHU14S, recorded at 25dB. It also is better for higher performance, so it can deal with
intense applications and stop overheating in many powerful computers.
So, due to the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360s lower noise and better
handling of cooling the components of the computer, liquid cooling gets a point.
Air-Cooling
2

Liquid Cooling
2

Round 5: Safety
The final criterion, this deals with the safety of the
user when dealing with the cooling-system, and the
present danger in the case of total failure, or even in
case of a fire.
Now, this is probably the hardest criterion to describe.
While the Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360
has a higher chance of danger due to a coolant leak,
As unlikely as it is,
because each cooling-system uses the same
overheating computer
components, and each has the possibility to overheat
components can cause the
and catch fire, which then the criterion favours the
computer to catch fire.
Copper Radiator + Water Cooling Kit v360, due to its higher efficiency than the Noctua
NH-U14S. Seeing as even the prospect of a fire is very unlikely, its hard to say which
cooling-system is safer. Thinking in terms of different components, as more powerful
computers are usually installed with liquid-cooled systems for its efficiency, it is
probably safer for powerful computers to include liquid-cooling systems which can
handle its intense applications, and safer for weaker computers to include air-cooling
systems which have a less likely chance to catch fire and what save money on
cooling.
So therefore, each cooling systems get a point, according to what kind of computer a
user has.
Final Score
Air-Cooling
Winner, for less powerful computers

Liquid Cooling
Winner, for more powerful computers

Other Factors
Of course, there are other factors that can make a cooling system more powerful, but are not
necessarily affects the operation of the cooling system. For instance, the incorrect placement of vents
to direct airflow can decrease the efficiency of air-cooled units. Poor thermal contact between cooling
system and component can also decrease efficiency, as surfaces practically can never be perfectly flat,
but can be resolved with Thermal Compounds. Additional Fans and Liquid Pumps can also increase
efficiency, and there are instances of cooling systems that act as a hybrid Air-Cooling and LiquidCooling.

Conclusion
There is no clear winner: it really depends on what system a user has, must their parts
are, and how effective the design of the components of their computer is.
Certain Factors may be more important than other factors; you can decide what is
most important to you.

This Researchs choice is to take both: taking both benefits by creating a hybrid, which
you, the user, can switch between, depending on the situation.
However, there is an interest for heat pipes, which are mentioned if a user uses a
laptop, rather than a desktop computer, as they do not have the space for an intricate
cooling system.
Therefore, the Researchs notion that the best choice that the best system is really up
to what type of computer a user has, is true.
But it should be noted that, without a complete investigation into many difference
types of cooling systems and relying on theoretical knowledge and previous
experiments, that the strength of this article is limited.
Users are encouraged to make their own investigation, experiment with difference
cooling systems, find expertise with experts, and keep up to date with the latest
technology, until they find the best one for their computer needs.
Remember, part of the fun with building a computer is finding the parts that suit you,
so it feels like your own computer.

References
eBay. 2014. Gaming Computer Water Cooling Kit 240 Radiator CPU Block Pump Reservoir
DIY. [online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/151234632469?
limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107 [Accessed: 24 Mar
2014].
eBay. 2014. Noctua Nh-u14s Cooling Fan/heat-sink - 1 X 5.51" - 1500 Rpm - Sso2 (nhu14s).
[online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/331147376783?
limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107 [Accessed: 24 Mar
2014].
eBay. 2014. Loctite 567 50ml Master Pipe Sealant Controlled Strength High Temp. [online]
Available at: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/181329246228?
limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107n [Accessed: 24 Mar
2014].
eBay. 2014. Water Cooling Kit 360 Copper Radiators CPU GPU NB Block 18w Pump 220mm
Reservoir. [Online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Water-Cooling-Kit-360Copper-Radiator-CPU-GPU-NB-Block-18w-Pump-220mm-Reservoir-/231174741483
[Accessed: 24 Mar 2014]

Au.element14.com. 2014. 520AB1250MB (TO-3X2) - ABL HEATSINKS - HEAT SINK, TO-3,

1.2C/W | element14 Australia. [online] Available at:
http://au.element14.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=253730&CMP=KNC-GOOPLA&gross_price=true&mckv=6P8nLuEc|pcrid|22410869928 [Accessed: 24 Mar 2014].
Lewis, J. 2014. Computer installation services. [online] Available at:
http://www.johnlewis.com/our-services/computer-installation-services [Accessed: 24 Mar
2014].
These links gave me my estimated costs/efficiency for the cooling-systems,

Hardwidge, B. 2006. Building extreme PCs. Sebastopol, Calif.: O'Reilly.

Hill, M. D., Jouppi, N. P. and Sohi, G. 2000. Readings in computer architecture. San Francisco:
Morgan Kaufmann.
Kirsch, N. 2013. NZXT Kraken G10 GPU Water Cooler Review on an AMD Radeon R9 290X Legit Reviews. [online] Available at: http://www.legitreviews.com/nzxt-kraken-g10-gpuwater-cooler-review-on-an-amd-radeon-r9-290x_130344 [Accessed: 24 Mar 2014].
Lamonica, M. 2010. IBM liquid-cooled supercomputer heats building - CNET. [online]
Available at: http://www.cnet.com/news/ibm-liquid-cooled-supercomputer-heats-building/
[Accessed: 24 Mar 2014].
These links gave me information dealing with cooling systems within computers.

Glossary
Heat Flow - The transfer of energy from a hot body to a cold body.
Thermal Equilibrium - When two objects or systems reach the same temperature and cease to
exchange energy through heat.
Thermal Conductivity - The property of a material that allows how much flow of heat is
permitted through the material.
Catalyst - A substance or method that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually
faster rate.
Thermal Conductivity The transfer of Thermal Energy from temperature differences between
adjacent parts of a body, or collection of bodies in direct contact.
CPU Central Processing Unit, where computer calculations are made.
GPU Graphical Processing Unit, where virtual 3D graphics are rendered in a computer.
RAM Random Access Memory, memory used for generating and remembering calculations in
a computer.
Convection - The transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of fluids in
indirect contact.

Radiator A piece of equipment built for efficient heat transfer from a substance, usually
water, by creating a temperature difference.
Condensation - The process by which water vapour in the air is changed into liquid water.
Phase Transition The change in a feature of a physical object or system that results in a
change of that 0obkect ir system to another state of matter. (E.g. Water to Steam.)
Electrical Conductivity The transfer of Electrical Energy from ionised differences between
adjacent parts of a body, or collection of bodies in indirect contact.
Thermal Compound A substance which increases the thermal conductivity of an object by
filling microscopic gaps due to the slightly curved surfaces of a medium.