Installation of the air cooling system

The air cooling system depends on the availability of places in the computer case where it is possible to install fans.

Elements of the air cooling system

Case fan

This is the element that creates and directs the airflow.

Standard sizes: 80x80, 92x92, 120x120, 140x140, 200x200 mm. For small cases: 25x25, 30x30, 40x40, 50x50, 60x60 mm. A standard case fan is about 25mm thick.

The fans have different sockets for connection.

• The 2-PIN connector has two contacts: plus and minus.
• The 3-PIN connector has a third contact that is responsible for monitoring the fan speed.
• 4-PIN connector has PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). The 4-PIN connector allows the system to self-regulate the fan speed, depending on the temperature inside the case.
• The MOLEX connector plugs the fan directly into the power supply. In this case, the fan always runs at a fixed speed.
• 5-pin, 6-pin slots are connected to an interface that allows you to adjust the fan backlight and rotation speed through a special utility.
• USB connector. If the name of the fan has USB written on it, it means that the fan controller is connected to the motherboard through a USB connector.

CPU cooler

Depending on the design, they are divided into three main types:



Standard cooler

The fan directs the air toward the processor and nearby motherboard components.



Tower cooler

Its CPU cooling efficiency is higher. The tower of this cooler gets its cooling from the case fans and from natural convection. And the fan installed in the tower increases heat dissipation.

Cable management



Careful cable routing inside the system unit case increases the system's cooling efficiency. Improperly placed cables slow air circulation in the case and collect dust.



It is important to route the cables as close to the walls as possible so that the space inside the case is open to airflow.

Dust filters

Dust buildup in a PC case can lead to overheating of the system components. In addition, large amounts of dust can cause a short circuit or static breakdown on a chip.



Modern dust filters are mounted in the case as separate units or attached to the case with magnets. They can be easily removed, cleaned, and reinstalled.



Dust filters on fans

Circulation of air in the chassis

The fans on the side and front covers of the case take air from the room to the inside of the case.

The fans on the top and back of the case blow air out of the case. These fans are located at the top of the case because heated air always rises to the top.



Excessive air pressure in a case is when more intake fans are installed in the PC case than exhaust fans. In this case the hot air is evacuated from the case more effectively and leaves less dust in the case.

Case fan installation and replacement

Fan installation options



A standard computer case is shown as an example. Some fans can be replaced. For example, three 140mm fans can be replaced with two more powerful 200mm fans.

Fan operation for air intake or exhaust

The fan always rotates in one direction. The function of the fan is determined by how it is installed (blowing in or blowing out). There are several ways to determine the direction of fan airflow:

• Arrows on the fan show the direction of airflow and the direction of rotation of the blades.



• By fan appearance.



The side of the fan with the frame and power lead is the blowing-out side.



The side, which shows only the fan blades, is the air drawn inside.

Fan replacement

Sequence of steps to replace the fan:

1. Turn off the power of the fan. The fans are connected to the "CHA_FAN" or "SYS_FAN" connector on the motherboard. Or the fans are directly connected to the power supply's MOLEX connector. In both cases, you just need to disconnect the wire.





MOLEX connector

To fix the fan, it is necessary to screw it to the computer case with four screws.



CPU cooler

Compatibility

The compatibility of your CPU cooler with your computer case depends on the size of the cooler. When selecting a cooler, pay attention to the size of the cooler so that it will fit in the case without any problems.



Because of the height, the cooler may not fit in the case.



The processor's TDP (Thermal Design Power) characteristic can help you see if the cooler is suitable for your processor. This characteristic indicates the maximum amount of heat that the cooling system needs to dissipate.

Installation



If your case has fans at the top, installing a tower CPU cooler to blow air up out of the case is recommended. In this case, the tower cooler draws heat from the motherboard and graphics card, blows the heated air through itself, and then blows air out through the top of the case. The top fans create an increased speed of air being pulled out of the case. Faster airflow through the tower cooler allows faster heat removal from the CPU.



If there are no fans on top of the case, installing the CPU tower cooler on the blow-out side through the back of the case is recommended. That is, install the tower cooler fan perpendicular to the graphics card. In this way, the warm air will be drawn away from the memory cards, pass through the CPU radiator, and be pulled out through the back of the case. For more effective heat removal from the case in this situation, it is recommended to install fans of 100 mm or more on the back of the case to blow heat away.

Automation of cooling system

 There are several options to control your PC fans:

1. Use your motherboard's special software (utility).
2. Adjust the fan speeds from the BIOS.
3. Lower the supply voltage of the coolers by artificial means.

Power supply installation

Cooling a Power Supply

Power supplies are supplied with a fan. The fan blows air into the power supply and blows air onto the components inside. The air blows out of the rear openings of the power supply.

1 - Air suction by a fan

2 - Fan

3 - Blow out holes for warm air

Incorrect installation of the power supply restricts the amount of incoming airflow. This can cause damage to its components.

Types of power supply cooling

Power supply units are available with a permanently running fan, semi-passive and passive cooling system.

Power supplies with semi-passive cooling have their algorithm to turn the fan on and off.

Power supplies with a passive cooling system are low-power and do not have a fan.

Installation options

Power supply installation from the top

The power supply takes part in the cooling of the computer components when it is installed in this way. It works by blowing air out of the case.

You will need a Phillips screwdriver to install the PSU.

The power supplies in older cases do not have as much power. In modern cases, the power supplies are more powerful and mostly placed at the bottom of the case. Therefore, they can be cooled more efficiently.

Power supply installation from below

In this case, the power supply is installed in the bottom of the case with the fan facing up or the fan facing down.

In the first case, the power supply will work to blow air out of the case, which improves the computer's cooling as a whole. But this will increase the temperature of the power supply itself, as heated air is already being blown onto its components. This installation option is preferable for low-powered computers.

In the second case, the power supply draws air from below and cools only its components, drawing air from the back of the case. This installation option is suitable for gaming computers that have space under the system unit's case.

If your system unit has no feet and is placed directly on the floor, the fan cannot draw air.

Power supply unit installation in a case with a housing

This option installs the power supply with the fan facing downward only. If installed with the fan facing up, hot air convection will be hindered, causing the power supply to overheat.

Power supply installation in a small case

If you install the power supply in such a case, you need to consider how the airflow will ensure ventilation.

How to install RAM modules

Description

Recommendations:

- It is better to install DIMM modules with the same memory capacity;

- Modules must operate at the same frequency (MHz). If you install modules with different frequencies, they will run at the frequency of the slowest memory;

- It is recommended to match the timings, latencies (delays) of the installed memory modules. You can check these settings in the CPU-Z application or any other similar one.

In the Memory and SPD tabs, you will find a lot of information about your computer's RAM.

- It is better to choose modules from the same manufacturer and model.

The RAM must be compatible with the CPU and the motherboard. The most trustworthy solution is to visit the motherboard producer's website and check the list of supported modules (DDR3, DDR4, etc.).

It does not mean that the memory modules will not work if they have different manufacturers, capacities, and frequencies.

Most CPUs have dual-channel memory controllers. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a set of RAM sticks consisting of two identical modules.

To find out how to install the RAM modules, please refer to your motherboard user manual.

When installing the RAM modules on the motherboard, you must follow the color scheme. The motherboard connectors for RAM are in pairs, usually colored differently, and alternate.

For example, you purchased a set of two 8GB RAM sticks and installed both on your computer. These cards run at the same frequency and are made by the same company. If you want to see the memory modules as a single 16 GB block, you must install them in slots of the same color. However, there is no difference in which slots the memory is mounted in if the RAM sticks are of different frequencies or capacities.

RAM sticks on the motherboard are marked by the motherboard producer.

A notch on the RAM stick

The "plug" in the RAM slot on the motherboard

Fixing elements in the slot

Installation

Place the new module into the slot, lining up the notch on the RAM stick and the bridge in the slot. It is not necessary to press anything forcefully; the board should slide in smoothly, and just at the final stage, you will need to push a little harder to fix it in the slot.

Once the board is installed, press the two catches on the sides of the slot. These will secure the module from dropping out.

Installation of a video card

Let's review the sequence of steps for replacing your video card with a new one:

1. Unplug the power supply and disconnect the power cable.

2. Disconnect all wires on the backside of the computer case.

3. Remove the cover of the system unit. To do this, unscrew the screws on the case's back that fasten the cover and slide it off. If you have a fan installed in the system unit cover, disconnect the fan cable from the connector.
4. Before you start to disassemble computer components, take a couple of pictures so that when you reassemble, you don't forget to connect anything.
5. Disconnect the video card power cables (if your video card supports auxiliary power). Unscrew the fixing screws. Press the latch on the PCI-e connector and pull it out to remove the video card.





6. Install a new video card.



7. Fix the video card.



8. Connect the auxiliary power cables of the video card (if there are any).



9. Replace the system unit cover and secure it.

Installation of two video cards

Description

Nvidia's technology for combining two or more graphic processors is called SLI (scalable link interface). The analogue from AMD company is called CrossFireX. These technologies allow you to increase the video performance.

You need two graphics cards of the same series and the same Nvidia model in order to install SLI linking in the system.

In case of AMD, you can merge absolutely any models. But combining video cards must be built on the same architecture. Manufacturers provide information about product compatibility on the official website of the company. 

An important point. The adapters' own video memory never adds up. This means that if each video card has 2 GB of RAM and 4 GB of RAM, the result will only be 2 GB.

Preparing for installation

To build an SLI and CrossfireX based system you will need:

1. A high-performance CPU capable of running two graphics adapters simultaneously. Otherwise, you will not be able to increase performance.
2. A motherboard with two or more PCI-express x16 slots which support this technology.
3. A powerful power supply. It is almost doubling power requirements. 
4. Video cards that support this technology. 
5. A bridge that connects video cards.

AMD allows to merge cards without using this bridge, but in this case, the loss in performance will be about 15-20%

Installation

1. Install the video cards in the PCI Express slots.
2. Secure the graphics cards with the locking screw.
3. Connect the power supply to both devices using the PCI-E plugs.
4. Connect the video cards with a bridge.

4. Close the computer case and turn on the computer.
5. If NVIDIA graphics adapters are used, you need to enter the Configure SLI menu and check Auto-Select and Maximize 3D performance. And in the case of Crossfire technology, the parameters will be changed automatically.

Manufacturers recommend buying one good video card rather than installing a combination of several video cards with average parameters

Applying thermal paste

Overview

The silicon crystal of every processor gets hot and releases thermal energy during active computations. The crystal's heat is absorbed by the metal protective cover of the processor. Further, the heat flows to the heat sink, which disperses the heat to the environment.

There are microscopic air gaps between the processor cover and the heat sink plate. Air does not convey heat well.  Due to its elasticity, thermal paste occupies the empty spaces, thus displacing the air from there. Thermal paste has a higher thermal conductivity than air, resulting in better heat transfer from the processor to the heatsink.

All thermal paste will eventually dry out. This can create micro-cracks that trap air and reduce the effectiveness of thermal paste. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the thermal paste periodically.

Replacement interval

If you run highly demanding programs (computer games) on your computer every day, the producers recommend changing the thermal paste on average once every 2 years:

• in gaming laptops: once a year;
• in office PCs: once every four years.

If you frequently use a computer that does not run highly demanding programs, you should monitor the temperature of the processor cores. If you have high core temperatures with a low CPU load, it is recommended to change the thermal paste.

You should also change the thermal paste if your laptop or computer has been subjected to vibration or bump for any reason. Vibration causes the heatsink to move and creates an air gap.

Viscosity

Thermal paste is made by mixing the main ingredient with a binding agent. The basic component of a thermal paste is a combination of several metal elements, metal oxides, nitrides (aluminum, tungsten, silver, zinc, graphite, etc.) ground to a powder. A binding agent transforms the powder into a paste. Among the binding agents used are silicone, mineral, synthetic oils, and special low-vapor mixtures.

Each thermal paste has a specific viscosity. The viscosity of the thermal paste depends on:

• Quality of the thermal conductive components grinded;
• The ratio of the amount of thermal conductive component to the amount of low-vaporizable oil;
• Quality of blending the main ingredient with the binding agent.

Types of thermal pastes

Thermal pastes based on liquid metals

These thermal pastes are the most effective and expensive. This type of thermal paste is based on rare liquid metals, such as gallium. The heat transfer efficiency of liquid thermal pastes is many times greater than other types of thermal pastes.

More liquid thermal pastes are more effective than thicker thermal pastes at filling the cavities between the CPU lid and the cooler heat sink plate due to their thin thermal conductive layer and high ductility.

Liquid metal-based thermal pastes are used in cooling systems of high-loaded processors in video game consoles and computers.

Metal-based thermal pastes

Liquid metal-based thermal pastes are cheaper. The main ingredient of this thermal paste is metal particles (silver or aluminum), which conduct heat well. They also have high thermal conductivity and are used in cooling systems for high-load processors in video game consoles and computers.

Carbon-based Thermal Pastes

They are universal thermal pastes in terms of price-performance ratio. This kind of thermal pastes has small fibers of carbon or diamond powder in their composition. The thermal conductivity of these thermal pastes is relatively high.

Ceramic-based thermal pastes

These thermal pastes are inexpensive and have low thermal conductivity. These thermal pastes contain metal oxides. They are used in cooling systems of computer processors that do not require intensive cooling.

How to apply thermal paste

Some of the optimal designs are as follows:

The following patterns are applied to processors:

1. Dot-shaped thermal paste pattern
2. Cross-shaped thermal paste pattern
3. Aligning thermal paste over the surface of the processor cover with a plastic card or special scraper.

Apply a pattern with two curved lines along their long plane on large and elongated processors.

Using these methods of applying, the thermal paste covers the entire surface of the processor's protective cover, and there is no excess if it is applied gently enough.

Thermal paste should be applied in a very thin layer. Here is a picture of the wrong way to apply thermal paste on the left and the right way to apply thermal paste on the right.

1 - Cooling radiator

2 - Thermal paste

3 - CPU heatsink cover

As shown in the picture on the right, the thermal paste must occupy the rough surfaces of the CPU cover and heatsink.

The picture on the left shows the thermal paste applied thickly which slows down the heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink.

Applying thermal paste

1. Before applying thermal paste, make sure that the thermal paste is not out of date.
2. Carefully remove the cooling radiator.

3. Before applying a new thermal paste, eliminate any residue from the old thermal paste.

4. Degrease the surface.
5. Apply the thermal paste in one of the patterns (1,2,3) to the CPU protective cover. Use the thinnest layer of thermal paste possible to ensure effective heat dissipation. Do not apply thermal paste to the cooling heatsink.

6. If you do not have a CPU protective cover, apply thermal paste directly to the processor chip.
7. After applying thermal paste, you should immediately install the cooling heatsink on the CPU's protective cover. It is necessary to prevent the thermal paste from stiffening.



8. The clamping force of the heatsink to the processor must be equal on all sides. It is necessary to tighten the cooling heatsink screws equally hard to distribute the thermal paste evenly.

CPU installation

In this article, we will discuss the important points about how to install the CPU in the slot of the socket. For a detailed step-by-step description of how to disassemble the system unit, remove the motherboard, and remove the CPU, check out the article about installing the motherboard.

The CPU is a fragile part of the system and can be easily damaged. It is important not to bend the pins of the processor when installing it. The CPU's pins can get bent under the influence of your fingers.

The processor must be taken carefully by its edges.

Removing the CPU

Every motherboard manufacturer has a specific socket.

To remove the AMD processor, you have to pull out the socket lever. The pins inside the socket shift and release the processor.

To remove the Intel processor, press the socket lever, push the lever to the side and then lift it with the pressure frame.

Installation

The CPU will not be physically installed into the socket if it is not positioned properly. CPU keys can help to prevent incorrect installation.

The triangle keys are located on the corner of the CPU and the corner of the socket. They must be aligned for proper installation.

In addition to these keys, there are special indentations on the CPU board that ensure that the CPU cannot be installed incorrectly in the socket.

Installation of the motherboard

Compatibility

Before you purchase a motherboard, it is important to read the specifications of the computer case. The specifications will tell you which case and motherboard size (Standard ATX, Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, and others) are compatible. Please refer to the computer case manufacturer's official website for technical specifications.

Replacing the motherboard

You will need:

1. Flathead screwdriver and Phillips head screwdriver
2. Clean tissue and alcohol to clean components (or alcohol wipes)
3. Thermal paste
4. Hexes (maybe)

Sequence of steps to replace the motherboard

In case you are replacing the motherboard and not installing a new one, you need to:

1. Turn off the power supply and disconnect the power lead.
2. Disconnect all wires on the backside of the computer case.



3. Remove the cover of the system unit. To do this, unscrew the screws on the back of the case and slide the cover to the left. It is easy to detach from the case. If you have a glass cover, it is screwed on the edges with four screws. If you have a fan installed in the system unit cover, you will need to remove it.



4. It is recommended that you take a picture of all the connectors before disassembling the computer components to not forget to connect anything when reassembling.
5. Disconnect the wires that power the video card (if your video card supports the optional power supply). Unscrew the fixing screws. Press the latch on the PCI-e connector and pull it out to remove the video card.
6. Disconnect the motherboard power and fan power, HDD power, USB power, and others.



7. If necessary, remove the power supply unit. To do this, unscrew the locking screws on the back of the system unit. Removing the power supply to replace the motherboard is not always necessary.



8. Disconnect the memory cards. To do this, simultaneously press the locking plastic tabs on the sides of the card.



9. To remove the motherboard from the case, you need to unscrew the fixing screws. Different motherboards have a different number of screws.





10. Remove the heatsink from the CPU. To do this, unscrew the fixing screws or unclip the fixing clips. The mounting of the heatsinks differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.
11. Remove the CPU. To do this, bend the metal catch, open the cover, and gently pull out the CPU.



12. After removing the heatsink, you must clean the old thermal paste from the joint between the heatsink and CPU. Then, when installing the motherboard, apply the thermal paste onto the CPU using one of the methods described in the article on applying thermal paste.



Installation of the motherboard

Preparing

The necessary screws to secure the motherboard are provided with the computer case.

To install the motherboard in the case, metal stands are used to raise the motherboard above the case. This is necessary to prevent the motherboard from coming into contact with the case.

Before installing the motherboard, make sure that all motherboard standoffs are in place. Otherwise, the motherboard will lose its stability and sag under the cooler's weight.

Installation

You need to follow the same steps as when replacing, only in reverse order. Remember that it is better to connect the uncomfortable connectors first, and after that, cover them with a large cooling heatsink and a video card. Be careful of small things, and don't lose any screws.