Why Cool your CPU

Why does your CPU need cooling? OK you know it gets hot without cooling but do you know what happens if you don't use adequate cooling. With different CPU's different results can happen, some annoying some expensive. The basics are that heat equals slower CPU performance and possible damage.

Older CPU's used to be made of simply transistors. Now CPU's contain Transistors, Capacitors and Resistors. Resistors produce a lot of heat and this needs removing as quick as possible. If excess heat remains on the chip electromigration or oxide breakdown can occur which can lead to crashes and CPU failure. 10 degree's extra heat on a CPU half's its life span. A further 10 degree's halves the life of the CPU again. You may think that you don't keep your CPU's for that long but life span is only one thing, the performance and stability is another.

Overclocking, How does this effect the heat issue?

Overclocking your CPU does cause extra heat to be produced. The amount of extra heat depends on what type of overclocking you do. If you increase the CPU's frequency by increasing the FSB then the extra heat will increase linearly. If however you have to increase the voltage the excess heat will be the square of the voltage increase. Simply put increasing the voltage will create far more heat than simply overclocking the Bus speed. However many overclockers found that increasing the voltage is the way to keep the system stable. There is a perfect article at  very in depth and informative.

I have a fan what else can I do?

Firstly you can take a look at improving your cooling solution. This could be simply a bigger and better fan. A heatsink with better spread technology or you could check out other types of cooling at our CPU cooling article. You may also want to consider Case fans and sorting out your wires in your case to allow better airflow.

The other option is a software option. Programs like Rain, Waterfall and CPU idle help keep your CPU cool by sending it to sleep. This is done by sending the HLT (Halt) command to the CPU, this command sends the CPU into suspend mode saving power and gives the heatsink/fan extra time to disperse the heat. The command is only sent during empty CPU cycles so performance is not compromised.

There is debate on whether these programs actually do your CPU any good, as the program has to re-issue the command constantly therefore putting undue stress on your CPU and reducing its life. My personal view on this is that I can see why there are these arguments but the advantages of heat being dispersed greatly out weigh the simply single command constantly being sent. Other items such as the system clock etc. Use many CPU cycles and don't take up much CPU power. I do use Waterfall myself and see an average of 75% power saving with no bad experiences. There will always be debate, pro's and con's. This will have to be one you decide for yourself.