Some Like it Hot (But Not Computers!)
May 24, 2011
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s going to start heating up in western Michigan. People will be pulling out the box fans and window air conditioners, charging up the car AC and trying to stay cool all over Kalamazoo. But while you’re spending time trying to beat the heat, don’t forget about your computer!
Computers need to stay cool, and hotter houses mean overheating PCs. Heat can build up when computer fans get clogged, when ventilation is poor or when thermal paste (a material that transfers heat away from your computer’s processor) dries up over time. Heat can be a serious cause of damage to computers and it manifests itself in different ways.
If you’re computer is locking up, lagging or showing artifacts (little squares of color) while playing PC games, it could be a sign of overheating. If your machine shuts down or loses video without warning, heat could be the culprit. If your laptop feels like an electric blanket on your lap, air blockage is likely the cause. Repeated overheating can cause damage to components like the CPU, graphics card, motherboard, power supply or hard drive.
If you want to keep your computer healthy and cool, there are a few things you can do. HWMonitor is a program that can help you check the temperature of your PC and the speed of your fans. The program monitors system health sensors and supports most newer PCs. It will tell you if your processor or graphics card is too hot or your fans are running slow. It’s a good first step to see if you could benefit from some cleaning or thermal optimization. The program is a free download from CPUID’s website. https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
If your PC is experiencing any of these problems, don’t sweat it! Geek Easy Computers offers a thermal optimization service to ensure your computer runs as cool and smooth as a summer breeze. We check the health of your computer fans, apply new thermal paste, clean out any dust or obstructions and suggest ways to help lower the overall temperature of your PC. Give us a call or click here to schedule an appointment before it’s too late!
Geek Easy Computers
Making Technology Easier
Posted in