Introduction
In this experiment, we will study the qualities that determine CPU Cooling Efficiency. To perform this, we will identify what quality of a heat sink is important in cooling a CPU.
Aim
To determine the quality of a heat sink in cooling a CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Theory
1. The heat sink is a heat exchanger whose work is to transfer the heat generated from electronic and mechanical devices to a medium of fluid which can be liquid or air coolant. Here the heat is dissipated away from the device, and in this way, the temperature is maintained inside the device.
2. Heat sink is used in cooling down CPUs, chipsets, GPUs, and RAM modules.
Requirements
1. Ten heat sinks of aluminium, copper, and bronze base
2. Blue, black, and silver-colored aluminium films
3. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) software
4. A Cooling Gate thermometer
Procedure
Step 1: Build ten heat sinks with aluminium, bronze, and copper bases.
Step 2: Test black, blue, and silver colored films with every base.
Step 3: Every heat sink has three trials. And every trial has a time period of nine hundred seconds.
Step 4: Measure the heat sink and CPU temperature using a cooling gate thermometer and BIOS simultaneously.
Observation
1. CPUs cool faster when the surface area of the heat sink increases.
2. Under a forced convection situation, the cooling effect of the CPU was minimally affected by the color of the heat sink.
3. After 300 seconds of turning on the computer, the heat sink kept the CPU at a relatively stable temperature.
4. The conductivity of the metal base is reflected by the difference between the heat sink and CPU.
5. According to the trend, the temperature was based on the darkness of the heat sink. As the darkness increases, the temperature decreases except for the bronze base and silver aluminium, Fins, and aluminium, base and silver aluminium, and fins heat sinks.
Result
1. The efficiency of a heat sink is determined by the surface area of the heat sink.
2. During natural convection, the dark color of the heat sink cools the heat-generating source more efficiently than the light color heat sink. It can go up to 3 to 8%.
3. Meanwhile, we have not obtained this kind of trend in our experiment due to forced convection caused by the fans of the CPU.
4. The efficiency of the heat sink is not determined by its mass.
5. Lowest to highest conductivity of metal base:
a. Bronze base with aluminium fins
b. Copper base with aluminium fins
c. Aluminum base with aluminium fins
Precaution
1. Measure the temperature carefully.
2. Observe the dependence of temperature on the heat sink.
3. Note down your observation accurately.
Conclusion
In this experiment, to identify qualities that determine CPU Cooling efficiency. We have determined that the maximum surface area and conductivity of the heat sink are most suitable for obtaining the minimum temperature of a CPU.
VIVA Questions With Answers
Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?
ANS. My aim was to determine the quality of a heat sink in cooling a CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Q.2 What is the dependence of heat sink color on the heat-generating sources?
ANS. During natural convection, the dark color of the heat sink cools the heat-generating source more efficiently than the light color heat sink.
Q.3 Does the efficiency of a heat sink be determined by its mass?
ANS. No, The efficiency of the heat sink is not determined by its mass.
Q.4 What is the work of a heat sink?
ANS. Its work is to transfer the heat generated from electronic and mechanical devices to a medium of fluid which can be liquid or air coolant.
Q.5 Name some devices in which a heat sink is used?
ANS. CPUs, chipsets, GPUs, and RAM modules.

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.
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