also @ TechSpot: Is Apple's USB wall adapter really worth $29?

MSI motherboard transforms chipset heat into fan power

By

On February 29, 2008, 9:01 AM EST

MSI’s main theme for this year’s CeBIT is “ECOlution”, short for eco-friendly and environmental evolution. The company will be showcasing their next-generation Intel 4 series motherboards, a green concept notebook designed with Anion technology, a gaming series notebook with Turbo Battery Energy-Saving Technology and a selection of low-cost PCs.

But what MSI hopes will really catch the eye is its new electricity-less motherboard fan concept, which is powered only by heat and air. Dubbed the “Air Power Cooler,” this unique prototype operates on the Stirling Engine Theory to transform the thermal output of a chipset into the kinetic energy necessary to power that same chipset’s fan and consequently cooling its heatsink.

MSI’s air power cooler will reportedly transfer over 70% heat power into air power. While this is all good news on the green-front, it’ll be interesting to test this concept with hotter components such as a CPU. MSI hopes to turn this early concept into mass production in the near future. In the meantime, here’s a short clip of the air power cooler “in action.”

Related Stories

No tags on this story

User Comments (1)

Post a comment
von_andre
on March 3, 2008
12:43 AM
I think 70% heat to mechanical energy conversion is not enough for cooling. The chipset will still, though gradually, become hotter. But it's a great start. Good work MSI.

Reply

Browse more commented news

Post a new comment

Guest user

To post as an anonymous
user click here
.

Members

If you are a TechSpot member,
please login first.


By signing up you gain complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of computer and technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Post messages, get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and tech breaking news.