Cooling fan for Smartphones CPU

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and necessity of incorporating cooling fans with heat sinks in smartphones, particularly those with quad-core processors and above. Participants explore the implications of such technology on performance, battery life, and design considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Prashant S Akerkar questions whether cooling fans with heat sinks are available for smartphone CPUs and if they are necessary.
  • One participant suggests that smartphone CPUs are designed to produce less heat than desktop CPUs, making fans unnecessary, while also noting potential noise and vibration issues.
  • Another participant expresses concern that a cooling fan would significantly reduce battery life, drawing a parallel to early camcorders that drained batteries quickly due to constant motor use.
  • Prashant S Akerkar further inquires about the feasibility of installing a small cooling fan in smartphones, considering the impact on battery drain.
  • One response mentions that powering a fan from the micro-USB port could lead to unsafe battery drain and overheating.
  • A participant claims to have ordered a high-performance smartphone with a cooling fan, indicating a preference for enhanced performance despite potential battery implications.
  • Another participant dismisses the feasibility of adding a cooling fan, suggesting that one could explore the internals of a broken phone for insights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and practicality of cooling fans in smartphones, with no consensus reached on whether they should be implemented or if they are beneficial.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include assumptions about power consumption, heat generation, and the design priorities of smartphone CPUs compared to desktop processors. The implications of battery life and safety regarding additional components are also noted but remain unresolved.

prashantakerkar
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Is there a cooling fan with a heat sink on the Smartphones CPU - Quadcore processor and above similar to the desktop and Server CPU?

If not, why?. Is it not required?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
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prashantakerkar said:
Is there a cooling fan with a heat sink on the Smartphones CPU - Quadcore processor and above similar to the desktop and Server CPU?

Not as far as I know.

prashantakerkar said:
If not, why?. Is it not required?

No. CPU's for smartphones are typically designed to use much less power, and thus produce far less heat, than the processors on desktops and laptops. The downside is that they also aren't as powerful. A fan would also be loud and have lots of vibration, neither of which you want in a mobile phone.
 
I think having a cooling fan would dramatically reduce battery life. I remember the early days of camcorders and the constant lens movement trying to keep things in focus would seriously drain the battery so you'd get maybe 40 minutes of video and 2 to 3 hours of battery life. The strategy was to turn it off to preserve battery drain but then you couldn't respond quickly to something you wanted to tape because of slow startup.

No motors, no moving parts, dim displays are the best strategy now.
 
Thanks.

Is it feasible to fix a small cooling fan in the Smartphone device ?

Since the cooling fan will require the 5V Smartphone battery, this may drain quickly?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
You might be able to get power from the micro-usb port but it will drain the battery. Unsafe battery drain could be dangerous as the battery will heat up too. You are asking in a sense for the phone to use its power to cool itself.

Its kind of like using a fan to cool yourself. As you fan more vigorously you get hot from the exertion.
 
prashantakerkar said:
Is it feasible to fix a small cooling fan in the Smartphone device ?
I ordered that option with my new high-performance cell phone. I had to order the larger battery option for it to make sense. So far I like the extra voice quality of the high-end processors in my new phone:

(and yes, I really am that handsome!) :smile:

http://img.wonderhowto.com/images/gfx/gallery/634401308269938591.jpg

634401308269938591.jpg
 

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prashantakerkar said:
Thanks.

Is it feasible to fix a small cooling fan in the Smartphone device ?

No. Find someone with a broken phone and take it apart.
 

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