We think no one will argue with the fact that high-quality cooling for a video card is one of the main guarantees of its durability and performance. The 3D accelerator is the hottest component of a modern personal computer. With the development of technology, modern video cards appear that are able to work with the most demanding programs and games. However, with increasing productivity, their energy consumption and heat dissipation also increase. Consider in detail cooling for video cards.
Introduction
The cooling system for the video card protects the graphics processor of the accelerator from overheating. Gone are the days when the heating of the components of the system unit was practically absent. Gradually for the user, those temperatures that were recently considered critical are becoming normal. Recently, for normal cooling of the video card, only a radiator was enough. Today, of course, there are accelerators that emit little heat, but they cannot boast of performance either. Increasingly, manufacturers endow their offspring with massive coolers with several fans and an impressive radiator. Users who squeeze the maximum out of their computer install not only cooling for video cards, but also for other components. Often there are motherboards with a cooler, and the manufacturer began to supply the cases themselves with additional fans. They certainly will not be superfluous, given the temperatures of modern components. Now even a program for cooling a video card is popular, which reduces the load on the graphics core. True, the efficiency of utilities is rather low.
Types of cooling systems
Typically, a cooling system for a video card is a frame on which a radiator and one or more fans are mounted. The manufacturer often saves on details. Exceptions are expensive solutions to perform complex tasks. Cheap cooling for video cards knocks down a good temperature, but it is very noisy. There are, of course, systems that are silent in operation and do not lose effectiveness.
Today, case manufacturers offer a model that is made of aluminum. All components of the system unit become colder, including a video card. Passive cooling, which uses a conventional radiator, is somewhat similar to this system.
Freon cooling
Passive-cooled video cards are a thing of the past, but not many users want to exchange work in silence for good system performance with a cooler roar. Companies found a way out - freon cooling. It is worth saying that it comes as part of some system units, not video cards. Of course, such cases are more expensive than ordinary representatives. In this case, the cooling fan of the video card and the radiator can be used additionally.
Freon cooling system for an inexperienced user seems very complicated and incomprehensible. In fact, everything is quite simple here. A closed loop is used in which the gas (freon) is located. During operation, it passes from one state of aggregation to another, thus cooling, the site to which it is connected. For fans of such systems, we will consider the entire process in more detail.
First of all, freon, being in a liquid, cooled state and low pressure, enters the contact area. Then it goes into a gaseous state, which contributes to the generated heat. The system includes a small compressor that raises the pressure in the tubes, but freon has not yet gone into a liquid state. For this, a fan and a small radiator are used, which lower the temperature of freon. Subsequently, condensation and transformation into a liquid occurs. The conclusion of the cycle is the passage of freon through the valve, where its pressure drops. Such a system serves not only as cooling for Nvidia and Radeon video cards, but is also used in refrigerators.
The system is not bad, but it works with some caveats that repel many users from buying. Freon cooling can function not with each processor, but only with models whose power consumption is above 75 watts. The reason for this is that condensation can form if the heat is released too low, which will definitely not benefit the components of the system unit. Suitable as excellent cooling for Radeon cards, famous for their heat dissipation.
Water cooling for a video card
Today, liquid systems have become a popular cooling method. A similar system is arranged quite simply. Several tubes are used to circulate the liquid (most often water). In contact with the components of the systems, it removes excess heat. Water cooling is more efficient, takes up less space in the system unit, and also boasts silent operation. These systems are preferred by sound studios, for which silence is important. Fans of modern video games spare no money in order to get maximum performance. By the way, such systems are used not only in personal computers. Most often, liquid coolant is used to cool nuclear reactors. Most car engines use a similar system.
Despite the cost, users increasingly prefer a liquid system. Perfect as cooling a GTX-class graphics card and similar models.
Work process
In general, whatever the cooling system, one general principle is used - heat is transferred from a hotter body to a colder one. The first is a video card or processor, the second is a radiator. Sooner or later, the cooled component warms up to the radiator temperature. In this case, their temperatures become equal, and heat dissipation ceases, which can cause overheating.
To prevent overheating of the component, a coolant supply is organized. It is commonly called a refrigerant or coolant. In an active system that performs, for example, cooling an R9 video card (and many others), the refrigerant is air. Other systems may use gas or liquid.
It is clear that in a normal room there is enough air for normal cooling. However, server rooms cannot boast of this. In a small room, a huge amount of equipment is collected, which is heated, so you have to carry out additional ventilation.
There are a number of mechanisms for removing heat from a heated object.
- Thermal conductivity. The ability of a substance to conduct heat inside its volume. The most common mechanism used in modern cooling systems. In this case, a contact of a certain substance with a component that undergoes cooling is created. As you might guess, metals are the best heat conductor. Based on them, heat exchangers and cooler radiators are manufactured. Conductivity is best provided by silver, followed by copper and then aluminum. Most often, manufacturers use copper. Aluminum is used in the cheapest cooling systems.
- Convective heat transfer with a refrigerant. To ensure the mechanism, it is necessary to ensure good air circulation inside the case. Therefore, it is recommended to use free system units in which components can be located at a distance from each other. It is undesirable to place the case near heat sources.
- Thermal radiation. A mechanism whose performance is negligible in cooling systems.
but on the other hand
After reading the above material, the user will think: there is nothing complicated - just take a larger radiator and organize a good air flow. This, of course, is all true. But there are two more factors: cost and noise. The price of cooling systems is growing with the development of graphics accelerators, which require more and more energy. As a result of this, heat generation also increases. As you might guess, in order to remove all the heat, you need more overall radiators and a whole set of fans. The larger the cooling system, the more materials are needed for its manufacture. Its price directly depends on it.
Cheap graphics cards typically have aluminum heatsinks and one fan. Such systems work quite efficiently, but create a lot of noise. Of course, more expensive models get a more efficient system that boasts quiet operation, and it is precisely on this that the user's comfort depends.
Liquid cooling works most silently. However, it is quite expensive, so its installation is only advisable in expensive systems. Over time, such systems, of course, will become more widespread and affordable. Perhaps they can even squeeze out the usual coolers into the background. And yet, talking about it is too early. Therefore, we consider the most interesting cooling systems that have earned popularity among users.
Aerocool VM-102
Let's start with a model that is designed for the budget segment of video cards with low consumption and heat dissipation. It is a massive radiator, the basis of which is aluminum. A separate layer is present and copper for more efficient cooling. There are two tubes. Of course, the heatsink will not be able to cool the gaming video card, despite its massiveness. But with the lower class of adapters it copes well, providing comfortable work in silence. Before purchasing, make sure that it fits into the case and does not interfere with other components.
Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5 rev. 2.0
Let's move on to more efficient systems. Arctic Cooling NV was developed by a company from Switzerland, which is famous for its quiet and high-quality coolers. The model appeared on sale for a long time, and was positioned as a solution for the GeForce 6800 GT. It was originally intended to be used only with green products. However, users found that Arctic Cooling NV also fits perfectly on many AMD adapters.
The system is executed quite typically. The base uses copper, on which the radiator fins are made of aluminum. The duct housing is made of plastic. A rather large cooler has to remove warm air outside the case. Arctic Cooling NV provides pretty good cooling, but, like many brothers, it does not stand out for its quiet operation.
Arctic Cooling Accelero X2
A rather original solution for Radeon video cards, namely the X1800 – X1950 series. A thin copper plate is used as the base, from which two tubes extend. They provide greater cooling efficiency. The radiator is made of aluminum. All this is hidden under a plastic case. On the front side there is a turbine type fan. A significant difference from the Silencer line is that Accelero does not take air out of the case, but scatters it inside.
The cooling system is very quiet even at maximum fan speeds. The cooler also copes well with the removal of heat from the board. This is probably why the products of the Swiss company are in such demand among eminent manufacturers of video cards.
Revoltec Graphic Freezer PRO
Overall and powerful cooling system. The base is made of copper. Two tubes depart from it, which are designed to remove heat to a radiator made of aluminum. The casing is made of plastic, and in the center there is a large fan, which is designed to blow the board at high speeds. It cools the GeForce 7900 GS perfectly, but is unable to cope with the X1950 XTX. At minimal loads it works quite quietly, which ensures comfortable work in silence. With serious loads, the cooler sound becomes very loud. This is especially noticeable if you use a cooling system with video cards that have high heat dissipation.
Thermaltake schooner
The appearance of the model resembles a typical passive cooling system. However, Thermaltake Schooner has some features. Two heat pipes come out of the radiator, at the end of which there is a small copper plate. This design provides better heat output in a poorly ventilated case. Also, it is worth noting the assembly, which provides for the connection of heat pipes with special plates. The system works as follows: the tubes take heat, transfer it to the copper plate and only then to the main radiator. Apparently, the multi-stage design allows to achieve the greatest efficiency. Of course, differs in quiet work.
Zalman VF700-Cu
One of the most famous cooling systems, which received a lot of copies from Chinese developers. Already the case attracts the attention of the buyer. It is made in an unusual form, which is aimed not so much at beauty as at efficiency. The radiator is represented by copper fins that extend from the center to the edges. Outwardly, it resembles a fan. The system is blown by a rather large fan. Despite the year of issue, it is too early to write off her accounts. Cools well even high heat dissipation adapters. It features a fairly low noise level. Good assembly and low price makes it the main contender for the acquisition in the budget segment.