An Epiphany: Cooler computer = hotter room

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EnderW

[H]F Junkie
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Recently I've noticed how much of an effect having the computer on in my room has on the ambient temperature. And trying to think of some way to reduce that effect. Now the first thing that comes to mind without thinking about what's really going on, is the computer needs to be cooler.

When I think of getting the computer cooler, I think of a better HSF or finally giving into the urge to watercool, etc. Or choosing some cooler components - not really an option as I like my current stuff for the most part.

Then I started thinking about what's actually happening when you cool your computer. You're transferring the heat out of your case, into the room. The better your heatsink, airflow, etc is, the more heat you transfer out of the computer. So as the computer gets cooler, the room gets hotter. The TDP of the system is the same, the heat is just being moved out of the case.

Simple if you think of it, and maybe everyone already knows this, but for me it was an interesting thought and I figured I'd see if anyone else has some input on the topic.

Personally, what I'm gonna try is making a couple of small hardware changes - a cooler CPU for one, and look into undervolting it and just running stock speeds when I'm not doing real CPU intensive tasks, instead of my max stable overclock all the time.

One thing I'm still not sure about is watercooling. It seems in principal, that it wouldn't be much different in the effect on your ambient temperature, but since water has such a high heat capacity, I was thinking maybe it absorbs some of the heat.
 
Its a lot like with the car engiene...when it starts to over heat turning on the heater helps cool it down.
 
Using more efficent heat transfer methods to cool your cpu (like water cooling) will not make your room cooler. The PC is still putting out the same amount of heat, you're just removing it more efficiently. Any cooling method that involves more moving parts (like water cooling) is actually going to slightly increase the amount of heat dumped into the room by your computer, because extra parts that use electricity, like the pump, create more heat.

Best thing to do is what you've already discovered... cooler running components. You could also run your heat-exhange unit from your watercooling out the window.
 
alternatively, just lower your exhaust fan(s) speed so they don't throw so much heat out. works for my bfx case, can't even hear it or feel the heat. :cool:
 
Well, if you do watercooling you could put your radiator outside!

Just watch out in the summer, you may be hindering your cooling process :p
 
Jonsey said:
Using more efficent heat transfer methods to cool your cpu (like water cooling) will not make your room cooler. The PC is still putting out the same amount of heat, you're just removing it more efficiently. Any cooling method that involves more moving parts (like water cooling) is actually going to slightly increase the amount of heat dumped into the room by your computer, because extra parts that use electricity, like the pump, create more heat.

Best thing to do is what you've already discovered... cooler running components. You could also run your heat-exhange unit from your watercooling out the window.
Click to expand...
TheJackal said:
alternatively, just lower your exhaust fan(s) speed so they don't throw so much heat out. works for my bfx case, can't even hear it or feel the heat. :cool:
Click to expand...
Makes sense. I've got room for 4 x 120mm fans in this P180, half are the the low speed Yate Loon D12SL , and I'm gonna switch the other 2 over also. Think I might look into a fan controller too. Sure wish I hadn't sold that nice sunbeam rheobus I had.
 
mount your computer in your window like those window mounted air conditioners
 
That is interesting. I've been noticing how hot my pc makes my room lately also, but at this point that's a good thing since it's winter!
I guess there is one bit of good news: I can live with the heat on a lower temp now, which helps keep the ambient temp down, and the PC will run cooler, but any heat exhausted into the room keeps me warm.

Come summertime, though, I guess the only answer is, crank up that A/C, for the good of the PC and for my own comfort.

7670
 
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