Power supplies have gotten much better. They've not only introduced the 120mm fan instead of the old 80's (reduced noise and increased airflow), but the efficiency gains are very big.
With a supposed 1000W draw from the wall, the old PSU's would waste 200+ watts of power as heat, being 80% or less efficient. Now with 92%+, they'd waste less than 80 watts as heat. That's a big gain.
With a die shrink comes a couple of advantages along for the ride with lower material costs.
Efficiency is increased for two reasons. There are shorter paths for electricity to travel since all the new (and smaller) components are closer together, but power usage MUST be lessened to stop "bleed through" of power...as components get smaller and closer, so their dielectric material between conductors is shrunk.
As Mort pointed out, cooling can get tougher because of heat per cm^3, but that will be worked out just as they always have worked to do so. They have people that do nothing but work on the die interface for cooling. Prescott had the same issues way back when. It will get better.
IMHO, water cooling a power supply is just as "useful" as water cooling your ram. It might make it cooler, but in the long run it causes losses to the rest of your system, and makes no noticeable gains (unless you simply must have zero super-quiet fans that barely run).
With a supposed 1000W draw from the wall, the old PSU's would waste 200+ watts of power as heat, being 80% or less efficient. Now with 92%+, they'd waste less than 80 watts as heat. That's a big gain.
With a die shrink comes a couple of advantages along for the ride with lower material costs.
Efficiency is increased for two reasons. There are shorter paths for electricity to travel since all the new (and smaller) components are closer together, but power usage MUST be lessened to stop "bleed through" of power...as components get smaller and closer, so their dielectric material between conductors is shrunk.
As Mort pointed out, cooling can get tougher because of heat per cm^3, but that will be worked out just as they always have worked to do so. They have people that do nothing but work on the die interface for cooling. Prescott had the same issues way back when. It will get better.
IMHO, water cooling a power supply is just as "useful" as water cooling your ram. It might make it cooler, but in the long run it causes losses to the rest of your system, and makes no noticeable gains (unless you simply must have zero super-quiet fans that barely run).
Looks like I have a new fan! 
