Peltier coolers are used in conjunction with a heatsink to deliver near-freezing temperatures to the surface of a CPU core. Described as simplistically as possible, the Peltier Effect (discovered by Jean Charles Athanase Peltier) can be accomplished by taking two materials with differing electron densities and running a current through their junction. In reaction, the two materials try and reach equilibrium with each other, one getting hotter and the other becoming colder. The amount of potential cooling depends on both the materials used and the power of the cooler (measured in watts).
Now that we have a little background on the principles behind the effect, lets take a look at the device in question.
- 70 watt Peltier element
- Alpha P3125 heatsink
- Twin 60mm fans moving a total of 54 cfm (each with 3 pin fan headers)
- Copper cold plate
- Foam insulation to protect against condensation