Thermal control: Temp vs Power

[dueda]

I know high power computing demands high power; speed + capacity (parallel tasks, throughput) = more circuits = more electricity in a denser package = HEAT.

Thinking on more efficient systems, found this one in Amazon: Fan-less i9 with GTX1660 GPU... on paper it should be impossible, as the CPU alone has wattage to heat up my room, and the GPU would finish any doubt still remaining. For comparison, my current i7-2700K with GT560Ti runs at 70-80 C and makes my desk feel like a small sauna, even with air conditioning on.

https://www.amazon.com/CompuLab-MintBox3...ref=sr_1_2

Btw, it's a Linux Mint mini tower - More like a big NUC, with parts packed with little room for air flow, which makes thermal control even harder.

Any ideas on the matter? I'd like to have a better PC to play games and keep on for downloads and complex processing.

[Moe]

Fanless just means it uses a passive radiator rather than a fan to cool itself.


That particular model carries a hefty price tag for its small size and design. You could build yourself and equally performant system for less than half the price, but it won't look as pretty on your desk.

[dueda]

Yup, but CPU+GPU specs wouldn't allow for a fan-less compact design. Wattage alone makes that thing very improbable. Is that advert BS ?

[Moe]

This design is not unique.

A fan is just one method of moving excess heat energy. Both the CPU and GPU are in contact with the case itself, which is one very large heat sink. Note the radiator fins on the side.

How effective that will be depends on the environment it is placed in, and may very well require an external fan to keep it from throttling itself.

[dueda]

That's what I was thinking. It's summer here now and temp inside this room is too high for normal PC operation. Mine is going over 80C.
So I either keep air conditioning on at all times, or find me a very efficient design.

Thanks mate!