As well as preventing computer crashes and system instability, computer cooling can cause the computer to run faster. In a CPU, electrons travel between atoms at the speed of light. Resistors are always built into semiconductors, which add resistance and keep the electrons from reaching their target as quickly. This process is also slowed down by heat. The hotter the CPU is, the more energy the atoms have and farther apart they become, which means that the electrons must now travel further, leading to longer times. This makes the CPU slower (Conditioning, 2002, How Does the CPU Basically Work section, para. 4-7). Thus, if the CPU were colder, the atoms would have less energy, and they would be closer together, which would allow the electrons to travel faster between them.
Log in to comment