This is the original! CPU radiator you will pick it?

On Tuesday, Xiao Bian noticed a small friend leaving a message asking for advice on configuring their CPU without a heat sink. While it's generally okay to overlook such details, taking a closer look reveals potential issues. The person mentioned purchasing a bulk CPU but neglected to get a proper heat sink. So how does one proceed without one? It turns out this friend hadn’t considered the importance of a radiator. Coincidentally, today seems like the perfect opportunity to address this topic and share some knowledge about choosing the right radiator.

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When selecting a radiator, material is key. The most budget-friendly option is undoubtedly the aluminum alloy radiator. Aluminum is favored for its lightweight nature and excellent thermal conductivity, making it ideal for electronic components. However, pure aluminum is too soft, so manufacturers typically blend in small amounts of other metals to create a sturdier aluminum alloy.

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Another popular material is copper, which boasts superior thermal conductivity compared to aluminum. However, copper radiators come with a significantly higher price tag. Due to the cost, they’re usually reserved for high-end models. Additionally, copper radiators tend to be heavier, potentially bending or damaging the motherboard if not handled carefully. These days, pure copper radiators are relatively rare.

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Now, let’s talk about heat pipes. Did you notice that most boxed CPU coolers, except for high-end models, are made entirely of aluminum alloy? Yet, third-party radiators often incorporate heat pipes. These heat pipes enhance heat dissipation significantly due to their liquid-based heat transfer mechanism, which relies on the principles of thermal expansion and contraction to quickly remove heat. Naturally, radiators with heat pipes are more expensive, ranging from 80 yuan to several hundred yuan depending on the number of heat pipes—two, three, four, five, etc., with more pipes equating to a higher price.

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But here’s a tip from Xiao Bian: unless you’re an overclocker or using a CPU with particularly high thermal design power (TDP), there’s no need to splurge on a high-end radiator with five heat pipes. A three-heat-pipe model should suffice for most users.

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Next up, the size of the fan. Some radiator designs feature massive cooling fans, 8 cm or even 12 cm in size, promising better airflow and cooling performance. However, these fans demand specific installation conditions. For instance, if the memory slots on your motherboard are too close together or if the memory heatsinks are tall, or if a bulky power supply heatsink is present, installing such a fan might prove challenging. Always double-check your motherboard’s specifications before purchasing, and if unsure, provide the model details to the seller for guidance.

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From Xiao Bian’s perspective, unless you have a particular need, oversized fans like 8 cm to 12 cm ones aren’t necessarily better. Not only do they pose installation challenges, but they’re also pricier. Why make things harder on yourself?

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Let’s discuss cooling fan directions. In the past, CPU fans were straightforward, pushing air directly onto the CPU. Nowadays, we see more side-blow designs where the fan blows air across the heat sink. Lastly, there’s the turbine-style radiator, which has largely faded from the scene. Comparing the two main cooling methods, the downward-blow style is more effective and straightforward. For enthusiasts aiming for comprehensive cooling solutions, side-blowing might be preferable. However, this depends heavily on your case’s airflow design. In compact cases lacking front or rear fans, the downward-blowing radiator is often the better choice.

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Lastly, does thermal paste matter? Silicone-based pastes are nearly essential, though tests reveal that high-end pastes offer only marginal improvements over standard ones. For casual users, there’s no need to fuss over this detail. However, if you’re into overclocking and fine-tuning, investing in a quality thermal paste could make a noticeable difference—especially during prolonged stress testing.

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To sum up, for regular users, an 80-100 yuan radiator with two to three heat pipes is perfectly adequate for handling full loads. If you’re working with a smaller case and expect the CPU to run at full capacity for extended periods, a four-heat-pipe radiator is ideal, priced between 100 and 300 yuan. Keep in mind that larger radiators come with higher brand premiums. For serious overclockers or DIY enthusiasts, more advanced options are available, though Xiao Bian won’t delve further into those specifics. Rest assured, any radiator above 80 yuan performs better than most boxed coolers. Of course, if you’re a fan of AMD’s iconic LED-lit coolers, feel free to go your own way.

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Transformer

A transformer is an electrical device that is used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through electromagnetic induction. It consists of two coils of wire, called the primary and secondary coils, which are wrapped around a common iron core. When an alternating current is passed through the primary coil, it creates a magnetic field that induces a voltage in the secondary coil. The voltage in the secondary coil can be stepped up or stepped down depending on the number of turns in each coil. Transformers are used in power transmission and distribution systems to step up the voltage for long-distance transmission and step it down for distribution to homes and businesses. They are also used in electronic devices such as power supplies and audio amplifiers.

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Huizhou Show-Grand Electronics Co., Ltd. , https://www.sgtransformer.com