Liquid
cooling
Liquid cooling systems are used when air cooling is not sufficient.
Liquid-based cooling systems are composed of tubes, cooling plates, a
reservoir, and a radiator. Cooling plates have tubes connected to them
and are attached to components. Liquid coolant is then circulated
through the system, cooling it. Because liquid cooling can dissipate
heat much faster than air cooling, it is primarily used for high-end
gaming computers and high-performance systems.
Issues related to insufficient cooling are sometimes difficult to identify. They usually manifest as
random errors or system lockups. One tool that can be used to troubleshoot cooling problems is
freeze spray. If a system is starting to fail due to overheating, spraying it with freeze spray reduces
the temperature and could restore it to normal functionality. If the problem goes away after
spraying a suspected component, implement additional cooling solutions for that component.
Cooling System Recommendations
Because proper airflow is necessary to keep components cool, consider the following
recommendations to ensure optimal system cooling:
Keep the case free of dust and debris. Excess dust can restrict airflow and prevent
proper heat transfer.
Reduce the number of airflow obstructions.
o
Employ proper cable management (e.g., bundle cables together and secure
unused cables to the case).
o
Space out multiple hard disk drives instead of stacking them next to each
other.
o
Do not use an excess number of expansion cards.
Maintain appropriate ambient temperatures. Optimal ambient temperatures are
between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For server rooms, the ambient temperature
might be as low as 45 degrees.
Ensure proper ventilation.
o
Keep air intakes and exhausts free from obstructions.
o
Leave space between the computer and any walls or desks.
Preserve negative pressure inside the case by keeping all covers and shields installed
(e.g., unused expansion cards, I/O shield, front drive bays).
