Computer enthusiasts are well familiar with the working principle of a heat pipe. The same concept can also be integrated into larger components. At Computex 2024, Noctua presented a prototype of a central processing unit (CPU) cooling system, which uses a working liquid and heat pipe principle, thus eliminating the need for a pump.
The innovative design features a liquid that heats up at the heat sink’s contact point with the CPU cover. Due to natural convection, the liquid rises through one of the tubes connecting it to the heat exchanger where two 120 mm standard-sized fans are installed. Once the liquid turns into vapor due to the heat, it condenses in the heat exchanger. Then again, driven by natural convection, it returns to the CPU heat sink after cooling down.
Although this cooling system does not incorporate a pump, it cannot be labeled entirely noise-free due to the actions of the two fans. Additionally, the principle of natural convection lays out certain installation restrictions – the heat exchanger with the fans must be placed under the top panel of the system unit, and the tubes transporting the working liquid must maintain a specific angle of elevation in their middle section, not to obstruct the convection process.
The performance of such a cooling system is yet to be ascertained, but considering Noctua’s sensible approach, it can be assumed that refining this prototype could take months or even years.
