LGA 2011 CPU Fan with Heatsink
As CPUs get both smaller and faster, cooling becomes ever more of an issue. The more heat you put in a smaller space the higher the temperature gets. The end result is that high performance processors need high performance cooling fans. Without a cooling system, most CPUs will immediately overheat and shut down, if they don't burn out before the temperature control circuitry can kick in.
How Do CPU Coolers Work?
One of the most important factors when choosing a CPU cooling solution is airflow. The basic idea is simple, the cooler takes heat from the processor and carries it up to the heat sink and then moving air carries it away. The more air you can move, the more heat you can get rid of. A standard LGA2011 assembly has the following components:
- Base: This provides direct contact with the core and transfers energy to the cooling system.
- Heat Pipes: These conduct the energy away from the processor towards the heart of the unit.
- Heat Sink: Covered with radiator fins, the heatsink transfers thermal energy into the air inside the case.
- Fan: This draws hot air away from the heatsink so that cool air can replace it.
What Do You Look For In a CPU Cooler?
There are several factors to consider when buying a new LGA 2011 socket cooler. LGA sockets have the pins in the socket, so the mounting hardware has to arrange around them.
- Baseplate: Whenever possible, you want a large copper baseplate because a bigger contact patch gives you better heat transfer, and copper because it is more conductive than aluminum so it moves energy more efficiently. You also need thermal compound for maximum efficiency.
- Heatpipes: Direct contact heatpipes work better for about an hour or so, but after that are no more effective than copper bases at best.
- Heat Sinks: You want a heat sink with lots of fins as they provide the surface area to transfer heat energy to the air. A heavier heat sink can also hold more energy so it keeps it away from the motherboard.
- Fan Size: Larger slower fans are often a better choice for your system as they tend to be easier on the ears.
Using a CPU Cooler
Every desktop processor, whether Intel or AMD, needs a CPU cooler. Always check the socket on your motherboard because an Intel LGA socket is going to have very different mounting hardware than an AMD socket and the two are not compatible. Overclocked systems need bigger coolers with more efficient heatsinks as the higher operating frequency makes overheating a much bigger threat to your computer. If you have a high end cooler make sure the lead to the power connector stays out of the air flow. Also consider a case fan to bring in more air so your fans have an easier job getting rid of hot air.