News - Spinning Sandia CPU Cooler is 30 times more efficient

[HEXUS]

Even though it doesn’t actually touch your CPU.

Read more.

[Hicks12]

simple generally is the way togo but id call this more technical than current coolers, our current designs are all blocks of metal . I must say it looks a bit to hopeful, if it delivers i can see it certainly replacing the likes of amd and intel stock coolers but i doubt it will ever compete with the likes of liquid cooling on the basis that you are still relying on air to take it away from the cpu, i believe they said it creates dead air between the spinning metal fins and the base ? Which would mean heat transfer isnt brilliant.

Hope they do meet what they say, be a nice interesting technology .

[kalniel]

I've got a strange feeling of deja vu..

Ah yes.. This time last year in fact:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...=2547-1_3-0-20

[cameronlite]

Surely the fact that it's so shallow will reduce cooling effectiveness?

[Fanglord]

It depends how fast the heat is dissipated I guess, but interesting I always thought there must be a better alternative to the current massive heat sink blocks.

[MrSamHideki]

Mass Effect Narrator..

Looks and sounds awesome and i don't really understand physics or aero dynamics but im hoping this new fan model comes out soon.

[Andehh]

But what happens when they are tilted on their side, as per 99% of desktop computers? or when the machine is knocked slightly during running?

[Niy]

Mass Effect Narrator..

Looks and sounds awesome and i don't really understand physics or aero dynamics but im hoping this new fan model comes out soon.

Didn't come the last year, why should it now?
Funny old news ;-)

[aidanjt]

Surely the fact that it's so shallow will reduce cooling effectiveness?

No. The cooling effect is enhanced by the spinning of the fins. My only concern would be whether the 'air bearing' would actually transfer sufficient heat energy away from the CPU to the fins to begin with. I'm betting this is the part they're still stuck on.

[edvinasm]

Interesting technology that. I wonder though, just as Andehh pointed out, how about when they are placed upside down, sideways or bumped when PC moved while working. Also, seams very heavy construction on a small bearing, will it hold for a year, never mind longer?

[flearider]

but theres still a block under it be it thin ..to house the motor and suport structure..
i'd like to see one in action and once your chip hits turbo mode how fast it can get rid of that extra heat ..or how well it runs on a o/c unit with constant high end heat ..
i'd also be quiet wary of were the heat will go on powerdown

[Millennium]

Surely this would only work horizontally?

[Malphas]

It's rather silly for unqualified people to be speculating on how effective it is purely on some pictures and brief description in a news article, with no actual in-depth knowledge of it's workings or the level of physics knowledge to accurately comment on its effectiveness supposing they did.

[kalniel]

It's rather silly for unqualified people to be speculating on how effective it is purely on some pictures and brief description in a news article, with no actual in-depth knowledge of it's workings or the level of physics knowledge to accurately comment on its effectiveness supposing they did.

I think you've mistaken this discussion forum for something else

[cameronlite]

It's rather silly for unqualified people to be speculating on how effective it is purely on some pictures and brief description in a news article, with no actual in-depth knowledge of it's workings or the level of physics knowledge to accurately comment on its effectiveness supposing they did.

If you manage to turn off the ignorance for a moment, I'm sure you'll re-read what you typed and realise that actually, you can tell a lot from a picture and it is in fact YOU that's being silly. On another note, it's nice of you to assume we have abosolutely no in depth knowledge.

For future reference guys/gals, Malphas has the power to tell you what you do and do not know!

[aidanjt]

It's rather silly for unqualified people to be speculating on how effective it is purely on some pictures and brief description in a news article, with no actual in-depth knowledge of it's workings or the level of physics knowledge to accurately comment on its effectiveness supposing they did.

Actually the physics isn't lost on me at all. The video was actually quite insightful regarding the fluid-dynamics and thermal transfer for the fins, but made no mention of the thermodynamics around the air bearing. Hence my comment.

And what kalniel said.