Over time, computer cooling systems in desktops and laptops get clogged with dust, while thermal paste and pads dry up, losing their ability to conduct heat effectively. This causes the pc components to operate at higher temps. Today, we'll cover what can be done at home to help cool a computer or laptop.
Why is excessive pc overheating harmful?
High operating temps wear out the pc components faster, accelerating their natural degradation. This means that the hotter components get, the faster they break down. Lower operating temperatures, on the other hand, extend the lifespan of computer electronics.
Pc overheating can cause throttling—a reduction in component performance. Nearly all computer components have protective mechanisms; when parts reach critical temps, they reduce their frequency and voltage to help reduce temps. This lowers the pc heat, but performance drops as well.
High temps may lead to system instability. Freezes, crashes, FPS drops, blue screens of death, and unexpected program closures can all happen if components overheat.
How to cool the pc?
To reduce component temperatures, try the following:
- Service your desktop or laptop;
- Upgrade the computer cooling system;
- Perform an undervolt on your components.
These steps will lower the operating temps, extend the maximum lifespan of the components, protect against throttling, and improve system stability.
Servicing your desktop or laptop
Servicing includes three main procedures:
- Cleaning the pc or laptop from dust;
- Replacing the thermal paste on the CPU and GPU;
- Replacing thermal pads on power system components.
Dust builds up in the pc over time, clogging vents and settling on heat sinks, obstructing airflow. Dust can also cover the fans, degrading ventilation quality and causing temps to rise.
Thermal paste dries out and loses its heat conductivity, causing CPU and GPU temps to spike. Thermal pads are more resilient than thermal paste but still dry out eventually, leading to rising temps in drivers, MOSFETs, and LC filters, which raises operating temperatures as well.
Dust cleaning is straightforward—even a beginner can handle it. However, replacing thermal paste and thermal pads can be more challenging.
Upgrading the computer cooling system
Upgrading the desktop cooling system is easy—identify your CPU socket and purchase a more powerful air cooler or liquid cooler. You could also get additional case fans for airflow intake and exhaust.
Upgrading the cooling system in a laptop, however, is often not possible due to their design. The only option is to get a cooling pad.
Undervolting components
Undervolting refers to reducing the voltage on the CPU and GPU, which lowers temps. GPU undervolting can be done with MSI Afterburner software, and CPU undervolting can be done in the BIOS menu.
Additional tips for getting lower temps in the pc
Here are extra steps to reduce component temps:
- Place the pc in a shady spot. In hot weather, a desktop can heat up quickly if exposed to sunlight.
- Keep the pc away from heaters or other heat sources.
- Don’t place the pc too close to a wall. There should be at least 30 cm of space behind the desktop for airflow.
- Since warm air rises, the best place for the desktop is on the floor. Avoid placing the case on carpet with long fibers.
- If the pc is inside a cabinet, keep the door open to let hot air escape.
- Use laptops on hard surfaces. If used on a bed, the vents can get blocked, preventing air intake.
Final Thoughts
To help cool the pc, consider these actions:
- Clean the device from dust;
- Replace the thermal paste on CPU and GPU;
- Replace thermal pads on power components;
- Place the pc in a shaded spot, away from heaters and soft surfaces;
- Avoid using laptops on beds or textiles;
- Don’t keep the desktop too close to walls;
- Place the pc on the floor.
It’s not strictly necessary to download a special utility to check RAM for errors. Windows has its own built-in RAM checker, but it detects only critical issues. The minor errors, which are more common, are usually missed by the Windows tool, so we recommend using TestMem5.
HYPERPC Cooling Systems
All HYPERPC models feature highly efficient computer cooling systems. These ensure ideal temperature conditions for components, extending their maximum lifespan and preventing throttling.
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