Cool-running Laptop CPUs on the Desktop? - Tech Support Forums

mister_boffo · August 17th, 2002, 12:24 AM

My house is not air-conditioned, so the Athlon 1700 furnace in my bedroom keeps my bedroom toasty-hot all the time. That and its loud fans have really soured my interest in fast machines.

I keep hearing how laptop CPUs have to be designed to run cool and consume a minimum amount of electricity, so for me an interesting question is whether these cool-running CPUs can be obtained to be used in a desktop PC. Does such a thing exist?

Also, is there such a thing as a "throttle" for a CPU? If my computer is just sitting there with a static screen, why does it need to still blast along at 1300mhz to just show that screen?

I'd like to see a way to shift the CPU into low-gear, so that it only uses enough cycles to do whatever task is at hand. Done properly, this would hold the "CPU load" graph at around 95% all the time, as the CPU slows down to just provide the minimum of cycles needed to do whatever is currently needed, and no more.

Yeah, this is probably the wrong room to ask this. It's like asking about what vehicle has the highest miles per gallon in a room dedicated to nitrous injection and maximum horsepower. But I'll try asking anyway..

-Mister Boffo

Redwolf · August 17th, 2002, 12:36 AM

Well, this is a processor fourm.

I don't think there's a Pentium IVM or an AMD equivalent for Desktops. After all, why would you need to?

There are methods of keeping cool w/out all the noise. There are the Thermaltake throttling fans and their excellent quiet heatsinks. May be worth a look. Haveta find their webiste tho.

Water cooling may also be an alternative, but It can be loud depending on where youi put the unit. It's also pretty expensive, but the prices are coming down. Yes, it is safe.

You may want to think about investing in a windows-mounted air-conditioner at some point in time.

the jester · August 17th, 2002, 01:00 AM

How about the 3rd way?

Have a look at this - it might provide you with the best of both worlds.

Note, elsewhere they did a review of an amd based model too

Redwolf · August 17th, 2002, 01:17 AM

Awesome link jest!

the jester · August 17th, 2002, 01:24 AM

thanks redwolf

first time I read it I kept glancing down at this lian li PC70 to my left wondering if it was going to take off - it's about 36C here and the 6 fans are working overtime - luckily I sleep elsewhere

mister_boffo · August 17th, 2002, 05:18 AM

Actually, I am thinking about water cooling.......... but with some really long tubes.

The cooler will go OUTSIDE. Bolt it to the outside of the house, put a "sun-shield/rain-cap" over it, use some weatherproof fans, and it'll dump all that annoying excess heat outside. I could probably do something similar for dumping heat from my 22" CRT outside, too.

Only major limitation is that winter weather for such a setup could lead to line freezing. But that can be remedied with a proper mix with antifreeze in the water hoses.

I'm trying to think of a way to make a "mobile" outside cooler. One that can be stuck through an open window and hangs off the windowsill, with the window slightly cracked open and sealed with foam, to make room for the water lines to the outside cooler..

-Mr. Boffo

Redwolf · August 17th, 2002, 10:15 AM

It is possible. You could have it clamp over the windowseal like one of those emergency ladders. You'd have to put a 'shield' on tho to make the window closable, or drill directly through the window.

Redwolf · August 20th, 2002, 09:47 PM

bump

vass0922 · August 20th, 2002, 09:57 PM

Umm dont' forget that yeah its great for you to keep your processor cool and such ... but all the fans and heatsinks in the world are not going to do a thing for your room.

If you think about it, all that does is pull the heat away from your heatsink.. your room will STILL be an oven

Watercooling to get the heat outside is really your best bet

as much as that option sucks
Maybe put some antifreeze in it?