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For many installed users, since CPU and graphics card are main heat generators and graphics card heatsink is built in, users have no choice. Therefore, users can freely choose CPU heatsink, but many users do not know that there were five misunderstandings when choosing CPU heatsinks. Next, we will talk about misunderstandings of CPU heatsinks.

Misunderstanding 1 when choosing a CPU cooler: bigger fan, better?

Different heatsinks have fans of different sizes. A variety of products provide users with more choice, and large-sized fans are not only visually more impressive, but also give overall impression of large-sized fans. They can provide more airflow, which is why many friends prefer larger fans.

The size of fan directly affects air volume, which provides various heat dissipation effects, but air volume is not determined solely by size of fan. The effect may exceed effect of fan size on airflow.

Even if shape and number of blades are same, it cannot be said that larger fan, better. You should know that larger fan, more noise it can produce. For users who pay attention to quietness, this will affect user experience. The fan is not just bigger and better.

Misunderstanding 2 when choosing a CPU cooler: is tower cooling better than downdraft?

I believe that for tower heat dissipation and down heat dissipation, most users choose tower heat dissipation, because generally speaking, a larger heatsink has a larger surface area, and heat dissipation effect can also be improved. Tower radiators usually have a larger volume, and transparent design in middle allows for better air circulation. In addition, tower radiators are often more expensive, so many people also think that tower radiators are more expensive than bottom-fan radiators. good.

However, for most users, a downflow heatsink is actually sufficient, as for low CPU power platforms, a downflow heatsink can actually meet heat dissipation requirement. in general, CPU is not running at full load, so there is no need for extra heat.

Also, another advantage of a downward flow heatsink is that direction of airflow directed by fan is not from front directly to rear, but from center towards environment, so that it can provide additional heat dissipation for component around CPU, This is also an advantage for a platform that has been used for a long time.

Misunderstanding 3 when choosing a CPU heatsink: is it better to install heatsink as tightly as possible?

Many users, when installing a heatsink, always think that heatsink should be as tight as possible, and tighten screws very tight. This is actually wrong, as a tight fit between heatsink and CPU can thin out thermal conductive silicone grease can reduce thermal resistance between them and ensure better heat dissipation. However, there is a limit to tightness of installation. Exceeding this limit will damage equipment, mainly motherboard.

Some heatsinks are fixed on motherboard and flexibility of motherboard is limited. If heatsink is installed too tightly, it will compress motherboard, causing it to warp and permanently damage it. In addition, weight of radiator is relatively large, if motherboard is not fastened with all screws when installing computer, then it will suffer more.

Thus, under normal conditions, a latch-on heat sink can be fixed, and a screw-fixed heat sink has a relatively large resistance when screws are tightened. Once installed, radiator will not shake or rotate. The fact is that motherboard is not deformed, which is also basis for judging that radiator is installed reasonably.

Misunderstanding 4 when choosing a CPU cooler: should mirror base be good?

The heatsink needs to be in contact with surface of CPU to transfer heat, and thermal conduction effect of contact surface directly affects efficiency of heatsink dissipation. So, we just said that choice of silicone lubricant and amount of silicone lubricant is a science. In addition to silicone grease, base of heatsink should also be considered.

Because high-performance air coolers on market mainly have a nickel-plated mirror surface, everyone believes that heat dissipation performance of a mirror base should be better than that of a heat pipe. Because of smoother and flatter first impression, there is such a popular judgment.

Actually not necessarily, compared with direct contact with heat pipe, due to nickel-plated heatsink, mirror design heatsink will increase heat conduction process to nickel-plated surface and then to heat pipe, so heat dissipation effect is poor, should be better.

The nickel-plated mirror base is indeed smoother than heatpipe's straight contact base, but if you look at it under a microscope, it still has a lot of gouges. Therefore, no matter what surface, it must be treated with silicone grease.

In short, most important thing is problem of material and process. Radiator products made of high quality materials and good workmanship can have excellent heat dissipation effects. Thus, we have seen in many graphics cards that many first-line graphics cards have already returned to design with direct contact of pure copper wires, which is principle.

CPU Cooler Misconception #5: Is Water Cooling Better Than Air Cooling?

Water cooling was once considered plaything of local tyrants. And air cooling as a popular cooling method. In terms of positioning, water-cooled radiators cost more than air-cooled ones. Naturally, it's easy for people to feel that water-cooling commands respect, and wind-cooled modesty. This sentence was once correct, but now it has become a misunderstanding.

In terms of heat dissipation, heat dissipation capacity of water cooling is much larger than traditional air-cooled radiators, because water flow rate inside water cooling is much higher than air-cooled radiators using heat. pipes for heat dissipation. However, in past, installation of water cooling and heat dissipation was difficult and price was high, so it was difficult to get into homes of ordinary people. In order to popularize water cooling, peripheral manufacturers have developed integrated water cooling.

Built-in water cooling can be used immediately after purchase. It does not require complex assembly processes, piping and watering, simple and pleasant, in line with fast food culture of modern society. However, internal water supply is small, which greatly shortens water circulation distance, and heat cannot be completely dissipated. At same time, noise of built-in water-cooled radiator is difficult to control. The thickness and density of fins of water-cooled radiator are relatively large, so a high-pressure cooling fan is required to completely blow radiator. edges, which can easily lead to noise problems.

Therefore, it often happens that built-in water cooling is not as good as high-tech air cooling. Right now, some universal water-cooling heatsinks are priced at same price as high-end products known as air-cooling kings, but there are still many players who say they will resolutely use high-end air-cooled heatsinks. cooling products for this reason.