Cooling And Power

Question 1

Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Structure

Answer 1

A closed-loop liquid cooling system is pre-assembled and designed to cool one component using a radiator and cooling tubes.

Question 2

Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Function

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Closed Loop Liquid Cooling System – Pros and Cons

Answer 3

Pros: Easier installation, lower maintenance.

Cons: Limited to cooling a single component.

Question 4

Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Structure

Answer 4

An open-loop system is customizable and can cool multiple components simultaneously, with components like water loop, pump, reservoir, water blocks, and radiator.

Question 5

Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Components

Answer 5

1. Water Loop/Tubing: Channels coolant around components.
2. Pump: Circulates coolant.
3. Reservoir: Holds extra coolant.
4. Water Block: Absorbs heat from components.
5. Radiator: Cools the heated coolant.

Question 6

Open Loop Liquid Cooling System – Function

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Purpose

Answer 7

Converts high-voltage AC from the wall into low-voltage DC required by computer components.

Question 8

Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Power Requirements

Answer 8

• North America: 110-120V AC.
• Europe and Asia: 230-240V AC.
• Output DC voltages: 12V, 5V, and 3.3V for internal components.

Question 9

AC to DC Conversion in PSU – Process

Answer 9

• Transformer: Reduces AC voltage.
• Regulators and Filters: Stabilize and refine the output.
• Cooling: PSU uses internal fans to expel heat and maintain efficiency.

Question 10

Types of Power Supply Units – Standard (Non-Modular)

Answer 10

• Cables are permanently attached.
• Can cause clutter, impacting airflow inside the case.

Question 11

Types of Power Supply Units – Modular PSU

Answer 11

• Detachable cables for customized connections.
• Reduces cable clutter, improving airflow and cooling efficiency.

Question 12

Power Supply Unit (PSU) – Installation

Answer 12

• Secured in the case with four screws.
• Connections include motherboard power, CPU, GPU, and storage drives.

Question 13

Redundant Power Supplies – Purpose

Answer 13

Provides backup power in case one PSU fails, ensuring continuous system operation.

Question 14

Redundant Power Supplies – Features

Answer 14

• Requires a motherboard with support for redundant PSU setups.
• Hot-swappable: Allows PSU replacement without downtime.

Question 15

Types of Power Supply Connectors – Motherboard Connector

Answer 15

• 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.

Question 16

Types of Power Supply Connectors – CPU Power Connector

Answer 16

• 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.

Question 17

Types of Power Supply Connectors – PCI Express (PCIe) Power Connector

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

Types of Power Supply Connectors – SATA Power Connector

Answer 18

• 15-Pin Connector: Powers SATA devices like SSDs, hard drives, and optical drives.
• L-Shaped Design: Ensures correct alignment.
• Separate from SATA data cables.

Question 19

Types of Power Supply Connectors – Molex Connector (Legacy)

Answer 19

• 4-Pin Connector: Powers older IDE/PATA hard drives, optical drives, and some fans.
• Still included in modern PSUs for backward compatibility.

Question 20

Types of Power Supply Connectors – Y-Type Adapters

Answer 20

• 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).

Question 21

Input Voltage Standards – U.S. vs Europe/Asia

Answer 21

• United States: 120V AC (range 110–125V).
• Europe/Asia: 230V AC.
• Incorrect voltage can cause severe damage or failure.

Question 22

Dual-Voltage and Voltage-Sensing Power Supplies

Answer 22

• Older PSUs had a manual switch between 115V and 230V.
• Modern PSUs are voltage-sensing, automatically adjusting to 120V or 230V without switches.

Question 23

Output Voltage Requirements in Computers – Key Voltages

Answer 23

• 12V DC: For high-power components like CPUs and GPUs.
• 5V DC: Powers motherboard components.
• 3.3V DC: Powers memory and low-power devices.

Question 24

Rails in Power Supplies

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

Key Considerations for Power Supply Use

Answer 25

• 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.