The cooling system of a computer directly affects the longevity and stability of its components. The less they heat up, the better and longer they perform. Together with HYPERPC, a manufacturer of premium professional and gaming desktops, we will explain how to properly organize a cooling system in a PC.
Table of Contents
Placement of Case Fans
Case fans are crucial elements of the cooling system. They expel hot air outside the computer and draw in cool air from the environment. This airflow circulation significantly extends the lifespan of components.
Install several intake fans on the front panel of the case to ensure strong airflow inside the system. Also, place one fan on the rear and top panels. A lot of hot air will accumulate in the upper-left part of the motherboard because that’s where the processor and the power system (VRM zone) are located. The top and rear fans will exhaust this hot air and cool the components.
If the case has mounting options for fans on the bottom panel, use them. Install a few intake fans to direct air straight toward the graphics card. This will significantly improve the cooling quality of the PC.
Most cases support the installation of only 120mm fans, but some models allow for 140mm coolers. The larger the fan size, the more air volume it can move, which greatly improves cooling efficiency. If your PC case allows for the installation of 140mm fans instead of 120mm, be sure to take advantage of this option.
Tower Cooler or Liquid Cooling
When choosing a cooling system for the CPU, always prefer liquid cooling (LC). Liquid systems do not interfere with airflow, and in fact, they enhance it. Moreover, they don’t heat up nearby components.
This doesn’t mean you should completely dismiss tower coolers. They are perfectly suitable for budget and mid-range gaming PCs that don’t produce much heat. However, if your system has a powerful processor, such as the Intel Core i5-14600K or higher, liquid cooling is a better choice.
Don’t Skimp on GPU Cooling
Modern graphics cards are very expensive, and many PC users try to save a bit by choosing models with weaker cooling. This is not a good idea.
In gaming PCs, the graphics card is typically under the most stress and often generates the most heat. Therefore, it’s not wise to skimp on cooling. Opt for a GPU with three fans and a large metal heatsink. This will significantly prolong the life of your graphics card and lower the temperatures inside the case.
Heatsinks for Motherboard, RAM, and SSD
Just like with the graphics card, it’s important not to cut corners on cooling for other components. Choose motherboards and RAM modules with metal heatsinks. They aren’t much more expensive, but your components will stay significantly cooler.
Most PCI-E SSDs are sold without metal heatsinks, although they are essential for stable performance without throttling. Manufacturers assume your motherboard has heatsinks for SSDs, but budget boards often lack them. This isn’t a major issue, as heatsinks for SSDs can be purchased separately. They are very affordable and available in many computer stores.
Conclusion
To properly organize the cooling system in your PC:
- Install several intake and exhaust fans;
- Use liquid cooling if you have a powerful, heat-intensive CPU;
- Don’t go for the cheapest versions of components. Pay a little extra for motherboards, RAM, and SSDs with metal heatsinks.
