Blue LEDs? Why?

The last leprechaun gremlin is now dead. Last night, I popped into PC World in Cambridge (local computer shop: "no demand, guv, no demand"), and picked up a Socket A CPU cooler, and a motherboard chipset fan. Both needed replacing, with the fans stuttering, and the overheat alarm wailing any time I turned the volume up. I've just fitted both, and apart from the fact that I deeply loathe fitting Socket A heatsinks (it requires a combination of delicacy and brute force in a restricted space, with easily damaged components nearby), it's all gone OK, and is back to working properly. I'm now running Seti to get both processors running at maximum to check that there's not going to be any more heat problems.

Ignoring the fact that the CPU heatsink is very slightly crooked (it's wedged against another heatsink, being somewhat larger than what it replaces), I have one question. Why, oh why, does it insist on having blue LEDs in the fan? What earthly good does that do? It looks really daft in an office.

Blue LEDs? Why?

The last leprechaun gremlin is now dead. Last night, I popped into PC World in Cambridge (local computer shop: "no demand, guv, no demand"), and picked up a Socket A CPU cooler, and a motherboard chipset fan. Both needed replacing, with the fans stuttering, and the overheat alarm wailing any time I turned the volume up. I've just fitted both, and apart from the fact that I deeply loathe fitting Socket A heatsinks (it requires a combination of delicacy and brute force in a restricted space, with easily damaged components nearby), it's all gone OK, and is back to working properly. I'm now running Seti to get both processors running at maximum to check that there's not going to be any more heat problems.

Ignoring the fact that the CPU heatsink is very slightly crooked (it's wedged against another heatsink, being somewhat larger than what it replaces), I have one question. Why, oh why, does it insist on having blue LEDs in the fan? What earthly good does that do? It looks really daft in an office.

So what is the thermal capacity of copper vapour?

Modern hi-performance coolers utilise copper as the contact material between the heatsink and the CPU. Copper can absorb a lot of thermal energy, but it is not easy to dissipate the ventilated copper base. Akasa has developed the ventilated copper base, this allows the fan to directly cool the copper base.

Err, yes. I'm not sure I want a lump of metal to be dissipated anywhere near my electronics.

So what is the thermal capacity of copper vapour?

Modern hi-performance coolers utilise copper as the contact material between the heatsink and the CPU. Copper can absorb a lot of thermal energy, but it is not easy to dissipate the ventilated copper base. Akasa has developed the ventilated copper base, this allows the fan to directly cool the copper base.

Err, yes. I'm not sure I want a lump of metal to be dissipated anywhere near my electronics.

The Apricot Village

If you google on "The Apricot Village", the top entry will take you to the web site for Aynho village, which is where I spent the first seven years of my life.

I do remember it as being a particularly attractive place, but I really didn't know until now about the apricot trees at all. Isn't it odd how sometimes you don't really find out about somewhere you've lived until years after you've left?

The Apricot Village

If you google on "The Apricot Village", the top entry will take you to the web site for Aynho village, which is where I spent the first seven years of my life.

I do remember it as being a particularly attractive place, but I really didn't know until now about the apricot trees at all. Isn't it odd how sometimes you don't really find out about somewhere you've lived until years after you've left?

#67 Mick O'Hare (Editor): Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions

Mick O'Hare (Editor): Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd (5 Oct 2006)
ISBN-10: 1861978766
Category(ies): Science

( The review )

It's quirky, and interesting.

#67 Mick O'Hare (Editor): Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions

Mick O'Hare (Editor): Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd (5 Oct 2006)
ISBN-10: 1861978766
Category(ies): Science

( The review )

It's quirky, and interesting.

#68 Michael Carroll: The Quantum Prophecy (New Heroes)

Michael Carroll: The Quantum Prophecy (New Heroes)

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (10 Mar 2006)
ISBN-10: 0007210922
Category(ies): Fantasy/YA

( The review )

A thoughtful look at what it means to be a superhero.

#68 Michael Carroll: The Quantum Prophecy (New Heroes)

Michael Carroll: The Quantum Prophecy (New Heroes)

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (10 Mar 2006)
ISBN-10: 0007210922
Category(ies): Fantasy/YA

( The review )

A thoughtful look at what it means to be a superhero.

#69 Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: Girl Genius #1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank

Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: Girl Genius #1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Studio Foglio (1 Jul 2002)
ISBN-10: 1890856193
Category(ies): Science Fiction (Graphic Novel)

( The review )

Where Agatha starts. And where you should, too. (But see also Girl Genius 101 Online to get a flavour.)

#69 Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: Girl Genius #1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank

Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: Girl Genius #1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Studio Foglio (1 Jul 2002)
ISBN-10: 1890856193
Category(ies): Science Fiction (Graphic Novel)

( The review )

Where Agatha starts. And where you should, too. (But see also Girl Genius 101 Online to get a flavour.)