CPU Thermal Management: Investigation of Fins Arrangements and Hybrid Water-Phase Change Materials Cooling

Cooling, thermal management, and creating a homogeneous temperature distribution on the processors using small and highly-efficient cooling systems are critical design issues. In this research, cooling of central processor unit (CPU) has been investigated via numerical simulations. First, the impact of fin configuration on the performance of an active cooling system was explored.. Next, the effect of employing phase change materials (PCMs) in the system and their cooling performance were numerically simulated. According to the results, the CPU's operating temperature in cooling mode with pure water was found to be 68.6 °C. However, when PCMs and water were used for cooling (as a hybrid cooling system), the steady-state operating temperature was found to reduce by ~6%.