MSI uses sterling engine to run fan for northbridge cooling.

[d_stilgar]

Check it out. This looks like a steampunk modder's dream come true.

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/9051/msi_employees_stirling_engine_theory/index.html

[slaveofconvention]

It'd be interesting to know if they ever got anywhere with that - I remember reading about it well over a year ago. As we haven't heard anything, I'd guess it'd be another of those failed ideas which were quietly brushed under the carpet :S

[199Crazy]

THAT IS TOO COOL! so innovative and green!

[Mark_Hardware]

seems like it would constantly cycle, as the heatsink gets hotter, the fan turns faster, thus cooling the heatsink more, and the fan turns slower, thus the heatsink gets hotter... etc
idk, just a thought

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I'm surprised they aren't at least being sold aftermarket.

[BuzzKillington]

Hope you keep your case clean. Seems like one booger of dust would make it fail. Awesome none the less.

[b4i7]

i guess i dont quite understand the mechanics of this...how it exactly works

what kind of voltage would a chipset fan pull anyways? are you REALLY saving much by using a powerless fan?

[d_stilgar]

seems like it would constantly cycle, as the heatsink gets hotter, the fan turns faster, thus cooling the heatsink more, and the fan turns slower, thus the heatsink gets hotter... etc
idk, just a thought

It would find an equilibrium of fan speed cooling to heat generation. The only time you would see a difference is when the northbridge is being worked more or less. It's like an analog fan controller.

[rithunder916]

THis is how it works...



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine




Mike