Intel Enlists Extreme CPU Cooling: A Glimpse into 1000W Direct-Chip Liquid Cooling
Think we're at the peak of current processor cooling. Maybe not, says Intel. They've now launched an experimental liquid cooling approach that could drastically change how we approach CPU heat.
Bucking the Lid: Cooling Direct from the Source
The major difference is how the cooler touches the processor. Standard liquid coolers sit on top of the metal heat spreader (the lid) over the actual CPU chip. Intel's new method throws that out. A heatsink specifically designed for the application touches the processor chip itself instead.
Imagine small copper tubes, or microchannels, engineered into this heatsink. Liquid coolant flows through these tubes, very close to the heat source for potentially much better cooling.
A 1000-Watt Cooling Potential
Put your hats back on for the next. Intel suggests such direct-contact cooling technology could theoretically dissipate gargantuan 1000 watts of heat. And Intel states this could be achieved using simple, common-place cooling liquids without the use of exotic, specially designed fluids.
In order to make sure the interface between the heatsink and the infinitesimal chip surface is absolutely flawless, Intel is considering using solder or liquid metal – materials that have better heat transfer properties.
Where Was This Shown
These new cooling models weren't lab tests showcased privately. Intel revealed this technology at their Foundry Direct Connect event, showcasing it using both Intel Core Ultra and high-end Xeon processors.
Don't Expect It Tomorrow
Before you go ahead and pre-order, remember this is still firmly in the experimental stage. Intel has not given any hints as to when a commercial product would appear, nor have they spoken to potential prices.
It's still an intriguing look at how Intel is thinking about handling heat from increasingly powerful processors in the future.
