Transcript How do we maximize performance from our PCs?

How do we maximize
performance from our PCs?
Prepared by Yousef Debs
ELEC 101
DECEMBER 5TH, 2007
CPUs Thermodynamics
• Electronic thermodynamics show that CPUs
run more efficiently under cold temperatures
• Maximizing speeds and performance requires
more voltage supplied to the CPU
• More voltage = More heat
• With extremely low temperatures, heat
inefficiency is negated!
• How do we get these freezing temperatures?
Is LN2 Viable?
• Liquid Nitrogen has been
used to obtain the lowest
temperatures
• LN2 cost efficiency? Safety?
Ready availability?
• Phase Change cooling, the
alternative
• Based on principles of
refrigeration (HVAC)
What is Phase Change?
• Just like an AC, refrigeration principles can be
used to cool computers as well as rooms!
• Phase Change refers to the evaporation of
refrigerant in the unit’s evaporator
• Gas is compressed back to liquid
• Liquid is cooled, and evaporated at extremely
low temperatures (R22 @ -42F)
• How do we get an AC into a PC?
Components
Evaporator
• The evaporator is the CPU heatsink
• Common OEM Computers have air cooled (fan
powered) heatsinks to moderate
temperatures
• In a Phase change unit, the evap. block is the
heatsink – freezing cold refrigerant is pushed
through to cool the CPU at amazingly low
temperatures
Heatsink Vs. Evaporator
Standard Heatsink/Fan
Acrylic/Copper Evaporator
How does this work with a PC?
…Continued
Is there a market for this?
• Phase change and watercooling are extremely
popular in computer/overclocking enthusiasm
• Prometeia and Vapochill
• Retail value of Phase Change coolers is $600
Temperatures
• Vapochill and Prometeia advertise a full load
CPU core voltage of approximately -20oC to
-40oC!
• With these temperatures, almost double the
stock voltage can be applied to the CPU,
maximizing clock and bus speeds.
Results?
• Intel Quad Core
Extreme Overclock
• Stock Frequency is
3.0ghz @ 1.35V
• This is an overclock of
175% @ 1.65V
• Cooler core temp.
allows for more efficient
gain on voltage rise
Conclusions
• Catered to enthusiasts, but a viable option for
high performance computing
• LN2 and other alternatives are sparse,
dangerous, and impractical
• Phase change cooling can be fit into a large
ATX case form factor
• Extreme cooling allows users to maximize
their PCs performance (Gaming)