Your computer plays an important part in your everyday life, so you must make sure it's running well to avoid inconvenience. You may have the right software for protection but you should know that it is only half of what you should do to protect it. Overheating: An Often Overlooked Problem Just like any electrical device, your computer generates heat when it's turned on. Your CPU contains hardware like a motherboard, a processor, a hard disk, and a video card, among others. All of this hardware generates heat. The more hardware you have, the more heat you generate. Those who use computers are often more concerned about viruses and other malware as well as the speed of their computer rather than overheating. (Tips on how to get rid of computer viruses) Cooling Systems Since computers generate heat, manufacturers have installed cooling systems composed of heatsinks and fans. Customized systems may even use liquid or gas cooling for high-end or overclocked machines. A heatsink works by dissipating the heat from the source by drawing the heat and allowing it to dissipate. Usually, a heatsink has a fan attached to it to allow cool air to pass through. For fans, there are two orientations: one that blows in, and one that blows out. Fans that are attached to heatsinks blow air inwards, while fans attached to the case of the CPU usually have at least one blowing in, and one fan blowing out. Causes of Overheating It is normal for your computer to generate heat while it is turned on; however, too much heat is not good. Here are the common causes of CPU overheating:
•Blocked or Malfunctioning Fans. The processor, some video cards, and even the CPU case itself have fans; however, when one or even all of them get blocked or damaged, insufficient air is allowed to go in or out, causing dangerous heat buildup. Dirt, dust, and other particles may stop the fans from working.
•Improper Airflow. Even if your fans are working properly, when cables and other peripherals are improperly arranged, they may block the airflow resulting to overheating.
•Overclocking. Overclocking or “OC-ing” is a tweak done by enthusiasts to increase the speed and performance of their machines. It involves the modification of the voltage and frequency of the device, causing more heat. Overclocking needs high-performance or customized cooling systems. Without them, the system will surely overheat.
•Location of CPU. The location of the CPU is also a factor for overheating. If the case is placed at a small crowded area, chances are, the generated heat cannot escape and proper airflow is restricted, rendering the cooling system useless.
The Dangers of CPU Overheating There is a limit on how high the temperature each hardware can tolerate. Once the temperature goes over that threshold, things like these can happen:
•Melt your device. Excessive heat may melt plastic components. For example, a processor with a jammed fan may melt the socket and even the motherboard, making it useless.•Shorten its lifespan. Some devices may be able to endure overheating but may have a severely shortened lifespan. An overheating video card may last only for a year or less rather than several years.
•Cause fires. Cables and shells in your CPU may melt, short circuit, and later catch fire when the system overheats.
•Consume a lot of electricity. When a device overheats, it becomes less energy efficient, consuming more power than usual.
Common Signs of Overheating It is hard to know if your computer has a cooling problem. In some computers, you will only know that it is overheating once it's too late. Newer models have security measures that can detect temperatures when these are getting too high. Here are the common signs:
•Hot exhaust
•Frequent and sudden restarts
•Frequent shutdowns
•Noisy fans.
Getting Rid of Overheating Overheating not only damages your computer, but can also cause a big dent in your pocket when the electric bill comes. Here are some tips to prevent overheating:
•Clean the CPU regularly. Dust and dirt can accumulate inside your computer and later block openings and fans. Use a brush and some pressurized air or a portable vacuum to easily remove those potential blockages.
•Rearrange the cables. Arranging the cables in your CPU will greatly help reduce the amount of heat that gets trapped inside. IDE cables, floppy cables, and even the cables from the power supply should be arranged in a manner that it does not restrict or trap air flow from the cooling system. You can replace your Flat IDE cables with the round type so that it does not trap heat. If you have more than one harddrive, you may want to put them slightly apart.
•Invest in a better cooling system. If you have high-end computer hardware, invest in a good cooling system. You can either go cheap by buying extra heavy duty fans or go hardcore and buy pricey water or gas cooling systems.
•Let the CPU “breathe”. The place where you put your CPU matters. Don't place it down under your tight desk nor place it inside a closed cabinet. Place it in an area where its fans can get enough cool air inside the case plus enough space to throw out the warm air from inside.
A Temporary Fix When you don't have enough time or money to fix your computer's cooling system, a good way to temporarily get rid of overheating is by opening the case. You can then face an electric fan directly in front of it to cool it down as you use the PC. Just make sure you close the case right after you finish using your computer to prevent dirt and other foreign objects from entering it.