Computer Shopper - UK (2019-12)

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ISSUE 382|COMPUTER SHOPPER|DECEMBER 2019 129

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JUKEBOX

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fans (plus the now two rooffans of the
radiator) the maximum processor
temperature dropped another 12oC, while
the graphics card and chipset also lost
another 2oC. Disconnecting the rearfan
causeda2–4oC rise intemperatures

across the system–that might be

acceptable,but it’s surprising given the

two roofexhaustsof the radiator.

Watercooling isn’t just about lower

temperatures, however: it’s also meantto

make your PC quieter.Using the default

setup,there wasn’t the same extra noise

when stressing just the processor.However,

the extra cooling power means that you play

more withfanspeeds while keeping the

processor under 70oC. The AsusStrix board

has manyfancontrol settingsforthe case

fans in its UEFI, but the USB connectionof

the Hydro cooler also lets you control the

speed of the radiatorfans in Windows via

the iCUE software.Just remember that the

temperature readout is thetemperature

of the coolant, not the actual processor.

Our coolant peaked at 29.5oC, but the

processor was definitely much hotter.

Theunusualsuspects

Aside from the processor,there is another large chip on your

motherboard called the chipset. This is placedtowards the

lower-right corner,and ma ybec overed by aheatsink.To stress-

test the chipset, try runningafull virus scan, and monitor the

temperature through HWMonitor (it will be the second-hottest

value listed under the motherboard section). Chipsets shouldn’t

exceed 50oC. If yours does, you’ll needto check that the heatsink

is attached properly,ord irect afan towards it.

Around the processor socket is an arrayofc ircuitry that

converts the 5V input from the processor’s dedicated power cable

to the 1–1.5V voltage that modern processors require.Ass uch,

these Voltage Regulation Modules(VRMs) requireareasonable

amountof cooling. More expensive motherboards cover their

VRMs withaheatsink. It’s trickytom easure thetemperatureof

your VRMs, so make sure there’s decent airflowover them.

Your main power supply unit (PSU) shouldn’t runoverly hot if

its power output is well matchedto the power demandsof your

PC. It’s quitedifficult to calculatewhat wattage is adequate, but a

powerful PC withasingle powerful graphics card shouldn’t need

much beyond 650–750W.Some power supplies, such as Corsair’s

AX range,havebuilt-in monitoring, which you can access in

Windows through its iCUE software.

Amechanical hard disk hasamaximum operating

temperatureof around 60oC, at which point the lubricants in

the motor will degrade.Avirus scan will stress-test your hard

disk, and HWMonitor can report thetemperature.SSDs are

more robust and haveamaximum operatingtemperatureof

around 70oC. If your SSD is anywhere near thattemperature,

you needto have arethink about how you cool your PC or

where you’ve mounted your SSD.

While almost all memory comes withaheatsink covered in

flashy branding (and sometimes flashy LEDs), it’s very rarefor

memoryto overheat. However,memory modules canfail. Run the

Windows MemoryTest if you suspectamemory fault.

⬆The highlighted area contains some high-energy components, called VRMs.

These canoverheat under certain circumstances

⬆Unless your PSU has built-in monitoring, such as Corsair’s iCUE system, it

can be trickytoi dentifyaproblem

⬅Corsair’s iCUE can also controlaHydro water-

cooler,giving you control from within Windows