AMD-K6-2ESLASH233AMZ datasheet(313/332 Pages) AMD

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Chapter 16

Thermal Design

295

22529B/0—January 2000

AMD-K6™-2E Processor Data Sheet

Preliminary Information

16.4

Layout and Airflow Considerations

Voltage Regulator

A voltage regulator is required to support the lower voltage

(3.3 V and lower) to the processor. In most applications, the

voltage regulator is designed with power transistors. As a

result, additional heatsinks are required to dissipate the heat

from the power transistors. Figure 109 shows the voltage

regulator placed parallel to the processor with the airflow

aligned with the devices. With this alignment, the heat

generated by the voltage regulator has minimal effect on the

processor.

Figure 109. Voltage Regulator Placement

A heatsink and fan combination can deliver much better

thermal performance than a heatsink alone. More importantly,

with a fan/sink, the airflow requirements in a system design are

not as critical. A unidirectional heatsink with a fan moves air

from the top of the heatsink to the side. In this case, the best

location for the voltage regulator is on the side of the processor

in the path of the airflow exiting the fan sink (see Figure 110 on

page 296). This location guarantees that the heatsinks on both

t h e pro c ess o r a n d t h e re gula to r re c e ive ade quat e ai r

circulation.

Processor

Airflow

Voltage Regulator

AMD-K6-2E/233AMZ Datasheet(PDF) 313 Page - Advanced Micro Devices