Whether gaming at max settings or rendering 4k video, pushing a PC to its limits produces a lot of heat. That’s why selecting the right temperature control solution is critical to maintaining safe operation and preventing overheating. Two popular options include air cooling and liquid cooling. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, but which is best for your build? In this article, we will explore the basics of both approaches to help you decide which is right for you.
air cooling system uses increased air flow and reduced temperatures to disperse heat from an object or casing. Cooling systems may use fans or other devices to move cool air over the target, or they may increase the surface area of the object to help disperse heat into the surrounding environment.
For example, a car engine uses an air-cooled cooling system. The airflow from the cooling fan passes over the cylinders and passes over a thermostat, which in turn operates a valve to maintain the correct engine operating temperature. The heated air is then vented away through the rear of the car.
Air-cooled systems are typically used for lower CFM requirements, as they can handle discharge temperatures up to 350°F and pressures up to 250 psi. In addition, they are less expensive than water-cooled compressors. However, they do require adequate ventilation and access to a water supply and disposal infrastructure.
Liquid cooling uses an external heat exchanger that transfers heat energy from the air to the liquid. The liquid is then cooled in a radiator, which exposes it to cool air. The cooler then uses a pump to transfer the liquid back through the heat exchanger and into the radiator. The cycle repeats. Liquid cooling can be more efficient than air-cooled systems, but it is also more complex and can increase maintenance costs.
Data centers have traditionally relied on air cooling, but rising computing densities and heavy processing loads have made it challenging for air-cooling systems to keep up. Moreover, rising energy prices have made it more expensive to power cooling fans and pumps, increasing Opex.
The high power density of modern racks makes air cooling inefficient for many applications, and they are increasingly being replaced by liquid cooling systems. However, the cost of implementing and managing these new solutions can add up, particularly in large organizations.
To reduce costs, organizations may choose to implement a row-based cooling system that dedicates cooling units to specific racks. This approach improves efficiency and reduces the amount of power consumed by fans directing airflow to the racks, which in turn helps lower energy costs. In addition, it provides more targeted cooling and can eliminate the need for IT teams to manually align the airflow with the cooling unit on each server. However, this can add complexity and may not be feasible in all environments. In such cases, companies may opt for an alternative to air cooling, such as immersion cooling, which immerses a server in a dielectric liquid and requires special handling and cleaning.