Help Your System Keep Its Cool with an Intel Fan
The heart and soul of your system, an Intel processor performs all the heavy lifting inside a desktop or laptop. Every time you fire up your computer for work or entertainment, the Intel processor works hard to ensure your device does its job. Your systems CPU cooler helps to control excess heat produced by processing information to keep your system running smoothly.
What does a CPU cooler do?In both laptops and desktops, the CPU cooler sits on top of or beside a heatsink placed on top of the computers processing chip. The heatsink uses a material to absorb heat generated by the chip and conduct it away from the CPU. The CPU cooler is used as an intake to send this heat away from the CPU and heatsink so that it can be dispersed. This two-step cooling process is essential to the computers continued operation. Without it, the CPU can reach temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, causing the computer to shut down to protect itself.
What should you look for in a replacement CPU cooler?As the literal lifeline for your computer, the device that cools your processor must be a good fit for your computer. Here are few important things to consider when searching for a replacement CPU fan and heatsink:
- Socket type: The socket is a physical anchor, usually a small screw or pin, that holds the cooling devices in place. Youll need one that matches your CPU fan.
- Form factor: CPU cooler units can be large, often towering over the CPU they sit atop. Make sure your systems case has enough space to fit your fan inside it.
- Pin count: The pins on your fan allow it to communicate with your motherboard. When the CPU begins to get hot, the motherboard lets the fan know its time to get to work. There are two main pin types in use: 3- and 4-pin setups. Motherboards with only three pins have a limited amount of control information they can send to regulate fan speed. Fans with four pins can receive variable speed control information from the motherboard based on CPU temperature. See the manufacturer site for details.
In some cases, heat-intensive systems may need more than one cooling system to maintain its peak temperature. This requires a lot of space inside the systems case, so you may need a particular motherboard designed to accommodate extra fans.
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