When it comes to industrial PCs, there are just so many technical features. Each with its own function, each suited for a specific context. One of these is fanless CPU.

But what is it exactly and why is it so important?

In this article we’ll delve deep into this topic, explaining how the CPU cools down, what happens when the PC overheats, and for which contexts a fanless CPU is best suited. We’ll also try our best to avoid all those intricate, technical terms only Paul from IT and his pals know.

What is a fanless CPU?

A fanless CPU is a processor whose TDP (Thermal Design Power) does not need fans to dissipate the heat produced while working.

This does not mean that the processor is less powerful. It was just designed to produce less heat and consume less power.

How does the processor cool down?

The processor cools down through a heatsink. The 2 main kinds of heatsinks are:

• active heatsink (with fans): the heat produced by the processor is dissipated through cooling fans
• passive heatsink (fanless): the heat produced by the processor is dissipated through the aluminium case.

Processors with TDPs above 35W must be cooled with an active heatsink, while processors with TDPs from 35W and below can be cooled with a passive heatsink.

What happens if the processor overheats?

If the processor overheats, the system risks entering into overtemperature protection mode: to protect itself from overheating, it suddenly stops working and shuts down until it returns to normal temperatures.

And if this happens for example during a production cycle… it can cause severe malfunctions up to irreversible system damage.

For this reason, it is important that the heatsink is suitable for the CPU workload. If this is not the case, the consequences can affect the entire production cycle, e.g. through machine downtimes, or even processing outputs.

Read more in our article: How to control the temperature of your PC.

What is a fanless CPU for and where is it used?

Precisely because of its design, a fanless CPU is very useful in the industrial sector, particularly in harsh environments such as production/warehouses with dust or production residues, wet areas, or even food production with flour, oil, or other substances.

The reason being that, when used in such contexts, PC cooling fans risk sucking in dust, particles, moisture or other production residues. These, in turn, can accumulate inside the case, causing severe damage to the PC.

Computers with fanless CPUs, on the other hand, provide total resistance to humidity and dust, precisely because they have no fans that could suck in these particles. The full operability of the machine is thus entirely preserved.

In this way, the PC can operate at full capacity even if placed in an outdoor digital kiosk, in a food laboratory, or in a sheet-metal cutting machine where dust and production waste are commonplace.

This is why fanless PCs are much preferred in industrial environments.

The solution for your company: fanless PCs by Kimera Computers

For all the above mentioned reasons, Kimera Computers are mainly fanless. Box, slim and rack formats are available in the catalogue to suit the different operating contexts in which they are to be integrated.

Each has different CPU and connector specifications, and can be tailored to create the custom PC that best suits your project.

Finally, all Kimera Computers come with a 3-year warranty and CE certification, thereby meeting the conformity requirements set out in the applicable Community provisions.

Most importantly, we produce them entirely in our facility in Italy, granting delivery and dedicated technical support in 3-5 working days.

You can find all our fanless PCs here.

If you have any other questions about fanless CPUs, or would like a free consultation with our technicians, please contact our team below.

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