How to Choose the Right Socket 478 N CPU Fan with Heatsink
Socket 478 CPUs have been manufactured by multiple brands and are used on a range of motherboards. Getting a heatsink with the processor will help keep it cooler during operation so that it can focus on working on processes.
What measurement is used to determine a CPU's speed?
There are two measurements that you can use to determine a unit's speed. The primary one is gigahertz or GHz. This rates both the power and clock cycles of the socket 478 CPU. Every GHz means that the processor can perform one billion cycles per second. A higher rating means that the unit can perform more tasks per second. This is regardless of how many programs you are running simultaneously.The secondary measurement is the number of cores. Each core helps split up the workload and makes it easier for the socket 478 unit to get through complicated tasks or work with multiple programs at once. Extra cores will help if you run many programs or have heavy workloads, but it may not increase speed if you are running a single demanding application like a video game.
What types of heatsinks are available?
Heatsinks are responsible for cooling down the unit and ensuring that it doesn't break from overheating. There are many different types of heatsinks that perform this function in a variety of ways. Here are a few of the most common types:
- Active: These keep the unit cooler than most other types, but they have moving parts that may have to be replaced or repaired. Most active units are fans that actively push the heat away.
- Passive: These have no moving parts, but they provide cooling air by using fins that move heat away from the unit. This will make the processor cooler and maintain operational temperatures.
- Stamped: This is a type of passive heatsink that uses the same principles to keep the unit cooler. Their cooling capabilities are used for low-powered socket 478 units.
- Machined: These heatsinks are machined and used with high-powered socket 478 units. They keep the CPU cooler by drawing heat away from the unit.
How do you know a heatsink works with a CPU?
You want to ensure that the socket 478 unit and heatsink work together so that your computer works properly, and the unit is kept cooler and within operational limits. The truth is that heatsinks typically aren't made to work with a specific unit, but there are still a few factors to consider when choosing one.
- Case Size: You must consider how much room you have in the computer case. You can use a measuring tape to see how much room you have.
- Socket Size: While the heatsink can fit over most sockets, it's a good idea to choose one about the same height and width of the socket. Having one slightly larger than the socket is fine, but too much just wastes space.
- Thermal Resistance: This is a measurement of how much heat the unit will remove.