The extra performance capabilities of most gaming PCs - and the high levels of internal energy they generate as a result - place additional pressures on their cooling systems to cope with the rapid heat build up within key components, many of which are vulnerable to overheating and failure.
One of the pioneers of new cooling systems design is Thermaltake. Its heat-sink-based cooling systems are designed to keep gaming PC from "cooking" in the heat of a critical contest.
Thermaltake`s latest PC chassis, the tower-format Armour VA 8000 Series, features some of the latest air and water cooling designs yet seen on a PC, according to Matthew Hall, general manager of Corex, the distribution company that represents Thermaltake in SA.
"The Armour Series is the most advanced PC casing yet to emerge from Thermaltake," says Hall. "It features integrated air and liquid cooling systems with ducting tucked away inside the chassis walls. Airflow through the chassis is optimised as a result, while noise levels are minimised.
The cooling systems rely on four fans, two for intake at the front of the unit and two for exhaust - one each at the rear and on top of the casing. There are individual cooling strategies for the power supply and CPU (central processing unit).
"Gamers will appreciate the new chassis design which allows then additional internal space into which they can pack all the components they require.
"For example, accommodation is available for a number of hard, stiffy and CD-ROM drives as well a range of motherboards, power supplies, CPUs and VGA and network cards - as well as other ancillaries."
Hall says although the fans produce a barely-audible 17 to 19 dBA each - there is also a fanless version of the chassis available for users with noise constraints.
An optional upgrade kit is available to facilitate the fitment of a BTX motherboard in place of the standard ATX units.
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