Cooling And Power Flashcards
Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Structure
A closed-loop liquid cooling system is pre-assembled and designed to cool one component using a radiator and cooling tubes.
Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Function
The system uses liquid to absorb heat from the component, transferring it to the radiator, which cools the liquid before it returns to the component.
Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Pros and Cons
Pros: Easier installation, lower maintenance.
Cons: Limited to cooling a single component.
Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Structure
An open-loop system is customizable and can cool multiple components simultaneously, with components like water loop, pump, reservoir, water blocks, and radiator.
Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Components
- Water Loop/Tubing: Channels coolant around components.
- Pump: Circulates coolant.
- Reservoir: Holds extra coolant.
- Water Block: Absorbs heat from components.
- Radiator: Cools the heated coolant.
Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Function
Coolant absorbs heat from components via water blocks, is pumped through tubing to the radiator, where it is cooled and then circulated back to remove more heat.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Purpose
Converts high-voltage AC from the wall into low-voltage DC required by computer components.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Power Requirements
• North America: 110-120V AC.
• Europe and Asia: 230-240V AC.
• Output DC voltages: 12V, 5V, and 3.3V for internal components.
AC to DC Conversion in PSU – Process
• Transformer: Reduces AC voltage.
• Regulators and Filters: Stabilize and refine the output.
• Cooling: PSU uses internal fans to expel heat and maintain efficiency.
Types of Power Supply Units – Standard (Non-Modular)
• Cables are permanently attached.
• Can cause clutter, impacting airflow inside the case.
Types of Power Supply Units – Modular PSU
• Detachable cables for customized connections.
• Reduces cable clutter, improving airflow and cooling efficiency.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Installation
• Secured in the case with four screws.
• Connections include motherboard power, CPU, GPU, and storage drives.
Redundant Power Supplies – Purpose
Provides backup power in case one PSU fails, ensuring continuous system operation.
Redundant Power Supplies – Features
• Requires a motherboard with support for redundant PSU setups.
• Hot-swappable: Allows PSU replacement without downtime.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – Motherboard Connector
• 20-Pin (Legacy): Older ATX systems.
• 24-Pin: Standard for modern motherboards, supplies additional power.
• 20+4 Pin: Combines 20-pin and optional 4-pin for compatibility with both legacy and modern systems.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – CPU Power Connector
• 4, 6, or 8-Pin: Dedicated power for the CPU.
• 4+4 Pin: Combines two 4-pin connectors for 8-pin power.
• Modern CPUs mainly use 8-pin for high performance.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – PCI Express (PCIe) Power Connector
• Provides extra power for high-power components (e.g., GPUs).
• Available in 6-pin, 8-pin, or 6+2-pin configurations.
• 6+2 Pin: Flexible for both older and newer high-power graphics cards.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – SATA Power Connector
• 15-Pin Connector: Powers SATA devices like SSDs, hard drives, and optical drives.
• L-Shaped Design: Ensures correct alignment.
• Separate from SATA data cables.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – Molex Connector (Legacy)
• 4-Pin Connector: Powers older IDE/PATA hard drives, optical drives, and some fans.
• Still included in modern PSUs for backward compatibility.
Types of Power Supply Connectors – Y-Type Adapters
• Y-Splitters: Duplicate a connector (e.g., Molex to two Molex).
• Converters: Adapt one connector type to another (e.g., PCIe to Molex or SATA).
Input Voltage Standards – U.S. vs Europe/Asia
• United States: 120V AC (range 110–125V).
• Europe/Asia: 230V AC.
• Incorrect voltage can cause severe damage or failure.
Dual-Voltage and Voltage-Sensing Power Supplies
• Older PSUs had a manual switch between 115V and 230V.
• Modern PSUs are voltage-sensing, automatically adjusting to 120V or 230V without switches.
Output Voltage Requirements in Computers – Key Voltages
• 12V DC: For high-power components like CPUs and GPUs.
• 5V DC: Powers motherboard components.
• 3.3V DC: Powers memory and low-power devices.
Rails in Power Supplies
• A rail is a specific output line delivering a fixed voltage (e.g., 12V, 5V).
• Systems may have positive and negative rails, with the 12V rail being the most crucial for high-power devices.
Key Considerations for Power Supply Use
• Familiarize with the common DC output voltages: 3.3V, 5V, and 12V.
• Ensure your PSU is dual-voltage or voltage-sensing when traveling internationally.
• Rails refer to specific voltage lines within the PSU.
