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What is a cpu cooler and what does it do?

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Muhammad Afzal
What is a cpu cooler and what does it do?

What is a cpu cooler and what does it do?

A cpu cooler is a device that cools down your computer. It does this by taking heat away from the interior of your computer case and into the ambient air outside the computer.

Why should you care?

Well, if your CPU gets too hot then it can cause all sorts of problems with the way your system runs - sometimes severe issues arise such as complete failure! Another reason to keep things nice and cool inside your PC is because higher temperatures are correlated with shorter life expectancy of parts (yes, even lower-voltage ones like CPUs). This means that you will have to buy new parts more often than someone whose CPU doesn't get too hot.

How do they work?

There are various different types of cpu cooler but they mostly fall under two categories:

1. Air coolers - This type of cooler is usually pretty loud, but it works by blowing air over the heat sink which dissipates the heat. The fan blows this hot air out of your case so you should mount these so that the airflow follows a natural path outside your computer. There are three main types of air cooler: tower, "T" and downdraft brushed.

2. Liquid Cooling Systems - These ones are quiet but they aren't too easy to set up or install into your computer casing because you have to connect them to all sorts of parts in order for them to work correctly (i.e., tubing, radiator etc.) However if you choose to get one of these then you will definitely notice a massive decrease in the amount of noise that your computer makes!

3. Heat sinks - A heat sink dissipates heat from your CPU by using a material with a grooved/serrated surface (usually metal) and metallic thermal paste to create a 'sandwich' shape which absorbs heat from the CPU and transfers it into the surrounding environment. Air coolers usually use heat sinks as well, but they are vastly different in design and function to regular ones.

How do I choose what kind of cpu cooler is best for my PC?

Well if you were planning on getting an air cooler then you should be aware that some have high or low airflow as well as whether or not their fan can spin at variable speeds. Also, if you want to get a liquid cooler then be sure that it is compatible with your motherboard chipset and all the other parts in your computer case.

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Muhammad Afzal
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