Science Fair Projects

Study of the Qualities that Determine Maximum CPU Cooling Efficiency

Abstract

The objective: The purpose of this experiment was to determine what qualities of a heat sink were important in cooling a CPU.

Methods/Materials

Ten heat sinks were built using copper, bronze, and aluminum bases. Black, blue, and silver colored aluminum fins were tested with each base. Each heat sink had three trials, each trial consisting of a nine hundred second time period in which the CPU and heat sink temperature measurements were taken with BIOS and a Cooling Gate thermometer simultaneously.

Results

* Increasing surface area of heat sink results in Faster cooling of the CPU. * The color of a heat sink minimally affects the cooling of a CPU under a forced convection situation. * The heat sinks kept the CPU at relatively stable temperatures 300 seconds after the computer was turned on. * A common trend: As the heat sink color became darker (silver/blue/black) , the temperature decreased in minute amounts with the exception of the Bronze Base + Silver Al. Fins and Al. Base + Silver Al. Fins heat sinks. * The difference between the CPU and Heat Sink temperatures reflected the conductivity of the base metal.

Conclusions/Discussion

The surface area of a heat sink directly determines its efficiency. It was known that darker colored heat sinks cool heat generating sources more efficiently than lighter colored heat sinks up to 3-8% during natural convection. However, in this experimentation, there was no strong evidence of this trend most likely because of the forced convection caused by the CPU fan. The mass of heat sink does not determine the efficiency of a heat sink. Highest to lowest conductivity between base metal:

1.) Aluminum Base with Aluminum Fins
2.) Copper Base with Aluminum Fins
3.) Bronze Base with Aluminum Fins

This project ultimately demonstrated that a heat sink with the most surface area and highest conductivity would be most suitable in sustaining a minimal temperature of a CPU.

Science Fair Project done By Joseph T. Chen

 

Related Projects : Does the Temperature of a Magnet Affect Its Strength, Zero Gravity Elevator Experiment, Cold Nuclear Fusion, What Didge You Hear, Effects of Soap, Salt, and Temperature , Orange You Glad You Have Vitamin C, Effect of Water and Temperature in Varying the Toxicity, C The Juice, Acid Ice: The Effect of pH on the Freezing Point of Water, Counterfeit Attack, Do Oranges Lose or Gain Vitamin C After Being Picked, Abating Acid Rain, Which Orange Juice Contains the Most Vitamin C, Borax Acts or Gets the Ax, Corrosion and Conductivity, Apple Dehydration, The Focalization of Sound, Specific Heat in Materials, Quantifying the Effect of Tungsten Illumination on Color Rendering of Low-Pressure Sodium, Color vs. Heat Absorption

 

<<Back To Topics Page........................................................................................>> Next Topic

 

 

Copyright © sciencefairprojects.co.in 2013 through 2015