Heatpipe installation orientation

[RiverRed]

Heatpipes contain volatile liquid to draw heat away from a designated hotspot right ? but if i install my HSF sideways, doesn't that make the liquid flow downwards, away from the CPU, thus making it inefficient ?

 

[ZXN]

No they work just as well on the side.

 

[pain.angel]

you forgot they also contain a wick.

 

[Arcygenical]

Good heatpipes... The ones used in HSF's contain wicks... allowing them to be used in any orientation.

The cheaper ones in some motherboards don't ALWAYS have wicks, and therefore might not work in certain configurations. (They usually do)

 

[RiverRed]

ah ok ... i was starting to worry that my 9700 won't cut the cheese on it's side.
thanks ^_^

 

[Bbq]

Heatpipes can or cannot have wicks. The ones With obviously work better. They work in all directions. UNLESS you have one of the ones with the wick ending before the bottom. Those ones only work one way, but they work very well that way.

You should be ok.

 

[Revolvr]

I'll play devil's advocate. Vapor rises, liquid falls, wicks or no wicks. Orientation makes a difference. Question is, how much difference? Wicks help distribute the liquid part over a broader length of tubing by capillary action, somewhat offsetting the effect of orientation.

I have yet to see a real comparison of the effect of orientation. All the PC rags and web sites appear to test with a MB or heat source flat on a test bench, not oriented as in a tower. Can anyone point us to such a comparison?

HSF makers will optimize their designs to perform best as they are tested, not necessarily real world.

-- Rev

 

[ZXN]

Easy to tell if you have an hsf where the heatpipes are mounted horizontally. Turn your computer on it's side and check temps.