How critical is adding a cooling fan?

[svidgen]

I've seen various recommendations in the forums, quick-start guides, and updates regarding the heat issue. Some recommendations suggest that a heat sink is recommended. Others that a small fan is recommended. Other suggest that the heatsink and fan or critical to prevent damage.

What's the real level of seriousness here?

[9600]

In short, if you don't use a fan or have some other method of providing sufficient cooling — such as an oversized heatsink — the Zynq will almost certainly overheat and lead to errors/failure. The supplied heatsink is not sufficient alone.

My preferred method of cooling is to use the supplied heatsink or one of a similar size, with a small fan that provides a modest amount of airflow. Of course, you could probably use a high airflow fan and no heatsink, but I don't see the benefit of doing that.

Regards,

Andrew

[svidgen]

Noted. Thanks.

[svidgen]

I should follow up by asking, is the image for the "cluster kit" a bit deceiving then?



There doesn't see to be any room for a fan in there. There's not even a heat-sink in those images.

Or, are we to assume these things are clocked down a bit? (And is there a simple way to do that until I can mount a suitable fan?)

[9600]

With a cluster of 4 boards you can place a fan of 80mm or more at the side and blowing air across the stack.

Regards,

Andrew

[svidgen]

Fair enough. Thanks!