[luau] Underclocking / Aluminum vs. Copper

[Joe Linux]

I think it "boils" down to cost.  I solid copper heat sink probably is 
more efficient than aluminum, but would cost a lot more, weigh more, and 
perhaps would be more difficult to manufacture.  Usually manufacturers 
choose the cheapest solution that is adequate for the job.  Volkswagen 
probably uses an aluminum cored radiator with plastic tanks not because 
it's better, but because it's cheaper.  Of course they could argue that 
it is lighter and thus enables the car to achieve better gas mileage.

Ray Strode wrote:

>> My feeling is that copper would tend to hold the heat, for example  a 
>> copper clad bottom on a pot or skillet.  I'm pretty certain that 
>> aluminum cooling fins are the most efficient, although aluminum car 
>> radiators aren't very good while car radiators with copper fins are 
>> common  and easy to repair. 
>
>
> Actually, I read somewhere (my physics book? not sure) that copper, 
> aluminum, silver, and gold were all good conductors of heat, but the 
> order of best to worst
> is: silver, copper, gold, aluminum. 
> The idea is, if it's a better conductor of heat, then when it's used 
> as a heat sink, the heat will away from the chip to it. where it can 
> be cooled by the air (That's why
> heat sinks are in fins i think).
>
> Anyway, i'm certainly no expert, and could probably be wrong.  Maybe 
> one of the other people on the list that are, could verify what i'm 
> saying.
>
> --Ray
>
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