Cooling for video cards: system description and manufacturer reviews

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. 3D accelerator - the most "hot" component of a modern personal computer. With the development of technologies, there are modern video cards capable of working with the most demanding programs and games. However, with increasing productivity, both their energy consumption and heat release increase. Let's 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, those temperatures that are not so long ago considered critical become normal for the user. Recently, for a normal cooling of the video card, only the radiator was sufficient. Today, of course, there are still accelerators that produce little heat, but they can not boast of performance. Increasingly, manufacturers endow their children 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 cases themselves the manufacturer began to supply with additional fans. Superfluous they certainly will not, given the temperatures of modern components. Now even a popular program for cooling the graphics card, which reduces the load on the graphics core. True, the efficiency of utilities is quite low.

Types of cooling systems

As a rule, the cooling system for a video card is a frame on which a radiator and one or several fans are attached. The manufacturer at the same time often saves on details. Exceptions are expensive solutions for performing complex tasks. Cheap cooling for video cards is good enough to knock down the temperature, but it's very noisy. There are, of course, systems that are silent in operation and do not lose efficiency.

Today, case manufacturers offer a model that is made of aluminum. All components of the system unit become colder, including a video card. Passively cooling, which uses a conventional radiator, is somewhat similar to this system.

Freon cooling

Video cards with passive cooling are a thing of the past, but not many users want to exchange work in silence for good system performance with the roar of the cooler. The companies found a way out - freon cooling. It's worth mentioning that it comes in some system blocks, 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 here is quite simple. A closed loop is used in which the gas (freon) is located. In the process of operation, it passes from one aggregate state to another, thereby cooling the site to which it is connected. For fans of such systems, the whole process will be considered in more detail.

The first thing freon, while in a liquid, cooled state and low pressure, comes to the contact pad. Then it passes into a gaseous state, which contributes to the heat released. As part of the system there is a small compressor, which raises the pressure in the tubes, but Freon has not yet passed into the liquid state. For this, a fan and a small radiator are used, which lowers the freon temperature. Subsequently, condensation and transformation into a liquid takes place. 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 of Nvidia and Radeon video cards, but is also used in refrigerators.

The system is not bad, but works with some reservations that repel many users from buying. Function freon cooling can not with each processor, but only with models that have a power consumption above 75 watts. The reason for this is that if the heat is released too low, condensation may form, which will not do the right thing for the components of the system unit. Suitable as an excellent cooling Radeon video cards, famous for their heat generation.

Water cooling for video card

Today, liquid systems are a popular way of cooling. Such a system is arranged quite simply. Several tubes are used, along which the liquid circulates (most often water). When in contact with the components of the systems, the excess heat is evacuated. Water cooling is more efficient, takes up less space in the system unit, and also boasts silent operation. These systems prefer sound studios, which are important silence. Do not spare money and fans of modern video games, in order to get maximum performance. By the way, such systems are used not only in personal computers. Most often, a liquid coolant is used to cool nuclear reactors. Most of the engines of cars use a similar system.

Despite the cost, users increasingly prefer the liquid system. Perfectly, it's like cooling the GTX-class graphics card and similar models.

Work process

In general, whatever cooling system, one general principle is used: heat from a hotter body is transferred to a colder one. The first is a video card or processor, the second is a radiator. Sooner or later, the cooled component is heated to the temperature of the radiator. In this case, their temperatures become equal, and heat removal stops, which can cause overheating.

In order to avoid overheating of the component, the coolant supply is arranged. It is usually called a coolant or coolant. In an active system that performs, for example, cooling the R9 graphics card (and many others), the refrigerant is air. In other systems, gas or liquid may be used.

It is clear that in a normal room of air is enough for normal cooling. However, server rooms can not boast of this. In a small room collected a huge amount of equipment, which is heated, so you have to make extra ventilation.

There are a number of mechanisms for removing heat from the heated object.

• Thermal conductivity. The ability of a substance to conduct heat within its volume. The most common mechanism used in modern cooling systems. In this case, a contact is made between a substance and a component that is cooled. As it is easy to guess, the best heat conductor is metals. On the basis of them heat exchangers and radiators of coolers are made. The best conductivity is provided by silver, in second place - copper, and then - aluminum. Most often, producers use copper. Aluminum is used in the cheapest cooling systems.
• Convective heat exchange with 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 next to 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 - it is enough to take a bigger radiator, and organize a good flow of air. This, of course, everything is so. 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, heat generation increases. As you can guess, to remove all heat, you need more overall radiators and a whole set of fans. The larger the cooling system, the more materials are needed to make it. It directly affects its price.

Cheap video cards usually have aluminum radiators and one fan. Such systems work quite efficiently, but they create a lot of noise. Of course, more expensive models get a more efficient system that boasts quiet operation, and that's what the user's comfort depends on.

The most silent operation of liquid cooling. However, it is quite expensive, so its installation is suitable only for expensive systems. Over time, such systems, of course, will get more distribution and affordable cost. Perhaps, they will even be able to force out the usual coolers to the background. And yet, it's too early to talk about this yet. Therefore, consider the most interesting cooling systems, which deserve popularity among users.

Aerocool VM-102

Let's start, perhaps, with the model, which is designed for the budget segment of video cards with low consumption and heat generation. It represents 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 radiator will not be able to cool the game video card, despite its massive nature. But with the lower class of adapters copes well, providing a comfortable work in silence. Before purchasing, make sure that it will fit into the case, and will not interfere with other components.

Arctic Cooling NV Silencer 5 rev.2.0

Let's move on to more efficient systems. Arctic Cooling NV is developed by a company from Switzerland, which is famous for quiet and quality coolers. The model appeared on sale for a rather long time, and was positioned as a solution for the GeForce 6800 GT. Initially it was assumed that it will be used only with the products of "green". However, users have found out that Arctic Cooling NV is perfectly attached to many adapters from AMD.

The system is quite typical. In the base, copper is used, on which the fins of the radiator are made of aluminum. The duct housing is made of plastic. To bring warm air outside the case is a fairly large cooler. Arctic Cooling NV provides quite a good cooling, but, like many colleagues, does not stand out quietly.

Arctic Cooling Accelero X2

It's quite an original solution for Radeon video cards, namely the X1800-X1950 series. A thin copper plate is used as the base, from which two tubes leave. They provide greater efficiency in cooling. The radiator is made of aluminum. All this is hidden under a plastic casing. 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 enclosure, but dissipates it inside.

The cooling system works very quietly even at maximum fan speed. Not bad cooler can cope with the removal of heat from the board. Probably, therefore, the products of the Swiss company are in such demand among the famous video card manufacturers.

Revoltec Graphic Freezer PRO

Overall and powerful cooling system. The base is made of copper. From it departs two tubes, 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 called to blow the board at huge speeds. It perfectly cools the GeForce 7900 GS, but it can not cope with the X1950 XTX. At minimal loads it works quite quietly, which provides a comfortable work in silence. With serious loads, the sound of the cooler 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 special features. From the radiator there are two heat pipes, at the end of which there is a small copper plate. This design provides a 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 multistage design allows to achieve the greatest efficiency. Of course, it differs 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 buyer's attention. It is executed in an unusual form, which is aimed not so much at beauty as on 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 up by a rather large fan. Despite the year of release, it is too early to write it off. Cool even adapters with high heat dissipation. It has a rather low noise level. A good assembly and low price makes it the main bidder for purchase in the budget segment.