PC Hacks

Hack #24. Keep It Cool

Better to overcool than undercool. A CPU survives best with adequate cooling to keep it stable.

Hackability of the CPU and system board is not the only consideration for a CPU speed tweak. As the CPU goes faster, the internal temperature rises, stressing the incredibly small wires and component structures inside. With excessive heat comes random lockups of the system and possibly catastrophic failures, with some spectacular but short-lived fireworks as the CPU melts down. To counteract excessive heat requires significant cooling capability attached to the CPU chip, so you will see a lot of heat-sink and cooling fan gimmicks and gadgets for sale with CPUs. Check the documentation that comes with the CPU chips, and you will find recommendations and warnings about ensuring proper CPU-to-heat-sink contact and adequate ventilation. Figure 3-10 shows an example of a specially milled heavy-duty supercooling heat sink from an HP server with an integrated fan. HP engineers lay claim to inventing this style of cooling device, and it either works very well or just looks cool as heck! This design has been cloned by many aftermarket vendors.

Figure 3-10. This bolt-down heavy-duty heat sink from an HP server keeps the CPU quite cool

Warning

Never run your CPU without a heat sink, especially the ultra-hot AMD processors!

Anyone who has run an AMD Athlon or Duron CPU—any ...