What constitutes "active cooling" for memory?

[BOLt]

Hey all.

I want to try and clear this up in my mind while I'm actually thinking about it. Every time it comes up I wonder about it but never actually think to ask anyone. I've tried to Google an answer, but came up unsuccessful.

So here's the question: "what constitutes 'active cooling' for memory?"

I know Mushkin Redline and OCZ VX Gold among other high-end, OC-oriented RAM require insane voltages to achieve their maximum potential. In AT's article Mushkin Redline XP4000: Winbond with Voltage Be Damned it was explained that the memory's voltage bandwidth extended to 3.2V or more, but that "active cooling" would be needed. What does this mean? I am assuming a case fan is in order, but does it have to be blowing directly on the DIMMs? Does it need to be blowing on the RAM or can it be sucking hot air out? (This point is especially pertinent to me, as I have a Cooler Master Praetoian with a 80mm fan on the top sucking air out of the case.) Do some custom HSFs like the XP-120, with it's enormous wingspan actually cool the memory sticks (as Thermalright advertises it can?). What are other cooling options for RAM?

Thanks for your input!

 

[morkman100]

I would imagine some kind of case fan blowing over the memory is what is needed (to get hot stagnant air out of the small areas between the modules). This should probably be enough, assuming your case air flow/temps are good to begin with.

morkman

 

[ElFenix]

putting a peltier or an a/c unit on it.

merely putting a fan on it or blowing at it does not make cooling active, as you're still relying upon natural heat-transfer mechanisms moving with the temperature gradient. for some reason though, people around here think that because it is powered it is active. it's not.

think of the air conditioner in your house vs a ceiling fan. which one cools, and which one merely blows air around?

anyway, what they probably meant was pointing a fan at the dimms or forcing air to be sucked through them. the former is probably easier than the latter, which would require you to build some sort of duct.

 

[ShadowBlade]

if it has electronic cooling devices (i.e. fans, peliter, water cooling (the pump is electic), etc) then it is active

passive is a heatsink/heatspreader

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
if it has electronic cooling devices (i.e. fans, peliter, water cooling (the pump is electic), etc) then it is active

passive is a heatsink/heatspreader

see what i mean?

 

[BOLt]

Okay, that helped quite a bit, actually. I will post again if I can think of anything more on the matter. Very interesting... thanks!