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Shroud

pc

A shroud is a component used in PCs to direct airflow efficiently over specific hardware components.

expanded

In personal computers (PCs), a shroud is typically a cover or enclosure that channels airflow from cooling systems, such as fans or liquid cooling radiators, to enhance thermal management of key components like the CPU or GPU. By minimizing turbulence and focusing airflow, shrouds help maintain optimal operating temperatures, thereby preventing thermal throttling and extending hardware longevity.

examples

A custom GPU shroud designed to fit an NVIDIA RTX 3090 graphics card reduces temperatures by up to 5°C (9°F) under full load.

Shrouds are often used in high-performance gaming PCs where graphics cards need additional cooling beyond the stock design.

The NZXT H510 Flow Case comes with a front shroud that enhances airflow to internal components, effectively reducing case temperature by an average of 3°C (5.4°F).

This application is common in custom-built PC cases where component-specific cooling is crucial in compact builds.

related terms

Case
The case is the enclosure that houses and protects the internal components of a personal computer.
Radiator
A component in a PC cooling system that transfers thermal energy from the coolant to the air.
Air cooling
A heat dissipation method utilizing airflow to lower the temperature of electronic components.
Fan
A fan is a hardware device used for active cooling by moving air.
Heatsink
A thermal management device that dissipates heat away from electronic components.