The chill factor - keeping that heat down

With PCs getting increasingly faster, more powerful and smaller, heat is becoming more and more of a problem. It`s especially troublesome if you`re going to try to overclock your machine.

Whichever way you look at it, if your CPU gets too hot, all the high-priced modifications you`ve spent years accumulating will be worth as much as your entry-level workstation five years ago.

In fact, a CPU generates so much heat that if it runs for even a few seconds without touching a cooling device, such as a heat sink or waterblock, the processor will destroy itself. And to make matters worse, your computer case which defends your PC against system-destroyers, including dust and spilled liquids, traps the heat inside.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to melting down your hardware: heat transfer fins, thermal grease, fans and liquid-based cooling systems are all viable options to fight that next heat wave.

The function of a heat sink is similar to your air-conditioner or refrigerator. It features a thermally conductive material (copper or aluminium), which is mounted to the heat source.

Basically, heat sinks such as CoolerMaster`s Vortex Dream feature unidirectional fins that increase the surface area of the heat sink while at the same time keeping the footprint small, therefore, making it ultra-compact. Most heat sinks also feature adjustable speed control fans and are relatively easy to install.

And if you`ve got an outrageously modified PC and can`t find an off-the-shelf heat sink for your application, you can also purchase a used heat sink and cut it to whatever size you want.

Liquid-based cooling systems are becoming a mainstream cooling concept, with a number of excellent products currently available. Basically, these systems work on the same principle as car radiators, distributing cool water or other liquid coolants, thus drawing heat away from the CPU.

Every cooling system has three fundamental parts, including a pump, waterblock and a fan/radiator combo, all of which are connected via flexible and watertight tubing. Many systems also include a separate water reservoir to increase fluid capacity.

For the system to be effective, water must move from part to part in a certain order. Water flows from the pump and into the radiator, which drops the water`s temperature, to the waterblock, which transfers heat from the CPU to the cooler water, which moves back to the water pump again.

Most of these systems such as CoolerMaster`s Aquagate Liquid Cooling System also feature warnings such as CPU temperature and low water levels which can also be customised.

There are a number of other options such as a thermal compound kit which acts as the compound between the CPU, or the video card and the heat sink to improve the distribution of heat. These thermal greases are not electrically conductive or capacitive and don`t even need a burn-in period.

Then there are also the blowers and fans, which are critical as better airflow means cooler components. Blowers, for example, produce larger air pressure than traditional axial fans, blowing toward the centre of the heat sink, again distributing heat more effectively.

The stakes are high when it comes to heat - today`s CPUs are impressive little saunas, so don`t compromise; start implementing those cooler options today.