How to keep your PC cool during summer
Computers hate heat. So this summer, be sure to think about keeping your
computer cool. Computer components themselves run hot, and yet they're not
designed to operate above a certain temperature.
When the temperature outside gets uncomfortable for humans, you can be sure
that your computer isn't liking the situation any better. So for a trouble-free
summer of computing, take steps now to ensure that your PC stays cool.
In a sense, fans are a computer's most important component. Without them, your
computer's processor, memory, and other vital parts would overheat and
eventually fail or cause your computer to slow down or to start behaving
erratically.
So at least once a year - and the beginning of summer is a good time - you
should inspect the fans in your computer to ensure that they're operating, and
you should also clean them, for all fans collect dust and function less
efficiently as a result.
Notebook computers typically have a fan that vents to the back or side of the
computer. The fan generally kicks in periodically, when the computer is doing
lots of work or when the temperature outside is high.
Desktop computers often have several fans: one or more on the back of the PC
that vents to the outside, one inside the computer on the central processing
unit (CPU), and often one on the graphics card.
Each of the fans on your computer should be vacuumed out and cleaned. Turn the
computer off, vacuum, and then use cotton swabs moistened in water to clean the
fins. Also, make sure the fans are still functioning.
With desktops, turn the computer on while the case is removed, and see whether
the fans spin up. With a notebook, listen closely to determine whether the fans
spin up from time to time. If any fans are no longer functioning, have the
computer repaired before continuing to use it.
Overclocking is the term used to describe attempts to run computer components
at higher voltages or speeds than they were designed to support.
In many modern computers, the basic input output system (BIOS) - typically
accessible by pressing Del or F2 when your compute boots up - contains settings
that allow enthusiasts or experimenters to overclock the CPU, memory, and
graphics card.
Unless you know what you're doing and have taken steps specifically to provide
extra cooling to your computer, avoid the temptation to overclock. If your
cooling fails, your components will overheat much faster than otherwise - and
may even be damaged permanently.
Where you situate your computer is important when it comes to keeping your
computer cool. Place desktop computers on the floor, if possible, since it's
cooler down there - and move them close to an air conditioning vent, too, if
one is available. Do not place them close to other heat-generating devices.
With notebook computers, there's often less choice about where to sit them, but
try to keep them off your lap, which will make both you and your computer less
comfortable.
"Always on" computing is great in principle, but computers that stay on
constantly in the summer are more susceptible to failure, if the heat rises or
cooling fails. So turning your computer off when you're not using it will save
not only electricity but potentially your PC as well.
Monitors, too, generate a lot of heat when turned on - even when they're not
displaying an image. Just put your hand near the back of your monitor - CRT or
LCD - to find out. Get into the habit of turning off your monitor when you step
away from the computer for extended periods of time.
These days, some computers come with software programs that allow you to
monitor the temperature of your computer. These can be handy, for even if you
don't know what temperature is considered acceptable, the utilities will
display warning signs when components get too hot.
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