3.4-3.5 Cooling and Power Flashcards
Why is cooling important in computers?
Cooling prevents components, especially the CPU, from overheating, which can cause damage or degrade performance.
What is the difference between passive and active cooling?
Passive cooling uses heat sinks to dissipate heat without moving parts, while active cooling uses fans to actively move heat away from components.
What is liquid cooling, and when is it used?
Liquid cooling circulates coolant through pipes and radiators to dissipate heat, commonly used in high-performance systems like gaming PCs.
Why is thermal paste applied when installing a heat sink?
Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU and heat sink, ensuring efficient heat transfer.
What does a power supply unit (PSU) do?
The PSU converts high-voltage AC power from a wall outlet into lower-voltage DC power (3.3V, 5V, and 12V) for computer components.
What are the key components of a PSU?
Transformer, filters, and regulators, which work together to convert and stabilize power.
What voltages are commonly used by computer components?
3.3V, 5V, and 12V DC.
What are the advantages of liquid cooling over active cooling?
Liquid cooling provides more efficient heat dissipation and is quieter than active cooling, making it ideal for high-performance systems.
What factors should you consider when selecting a PSU for a gaming PC?
Wattage requirements, efficiency rating, and connectors needed for components.
What are the steps for installing a PSU?
Place and secure the PSU in the case, connect the necessary cables to the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage devices, and test the power.
What are case fans, and what is their purpose?
Case fans enhance airflow to improve overall system cooling.
What is the difference between AC and DC power in computer systems?
AC power comes from wall outlets (120V in the US, 230V in Europe/Asia), while DC power (3.3V, 5V, 12V) is used internally by computer components.
What wattage rating should a PSU have for gaming PCs?
PSUs for gaming PCs should have higher wattage ratings to support high-power components like GPUs and CPUs.
What is the primary role of a heat sink?
A heat sink transfers heat away from components like the CPU or GPU to prevent overheating.
How do cooling fans contribute to system cooling?
Cooling fans actively move heat out of the system, reducing component temperatures.
