When it's hot outside, your gaming PC will sweat quickly. In this article, we will present top tips with which you can keep your PC cool.
Why is cooling so important? Your gaming PC is a collection of sensitive hardware. When the graphics card, processor and the like come into operation, large amounts of heat are given off. If your PC gets too hot, it automatically shuts down.
Cause: Fuses are now built into modern components and that means: If the heat gets too high, the computer shuts itself down. For you, this means possible data loss and, in the worst case, hardware damage.
Here we offer you a series of tips to keep your computer cool:
1. Remove Dust And Dirt From The Computer And Fans
Requires: Compressed air spray, anti-static cleaning tools | Time required: 30 minutes | Costs: 10 – 20 dollars| Difficulty: Light
We advise against this: Do not use a vacuum cleaner or your fingers to remove dust. The vacuum cleaner is too rough and can damage sensitive parts. Your fingers are always a bit greasy, which can also break.
You must use this to clean: It is better to use a compressed air spray or brushes and antistatic brushes.
This is how you should proceed:
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Disconnect the PC from power and then press the start button again. This is how the last potential charge escapes.
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When you clean your PC, place it on a table or open surface and not on a rug or other surface that can be loaded.
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Then discharge yourself by touching a heater. Look for an unpainted area, for example on the radiator from below.
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Clean all the fans on your PC. This includes GPU fans, and you must watch out if the GPU Fan Not Spinning. You should also clean external case fans and your graphics card fans. The power supply also has a fan, which you should not forget about.
2. Check Your PC Temperature And Hardware
Requires: No special things needed | Time required: 10 minutes | Costs: none | Difficulty: Light
The first and easiest step is to check your computer temperatures. Some motherboards offer the option to read temperatures through the BIOS. But this is less useful if you are currently gaming.
An alternative here are small helper programs like HWMonitor, a simple free tool with which you can monitor the temperatures of individual components and, for example, the speed of installed fans.
3. Overheated PC: Relocate Your Computer
Requires: No special things needed | Time required: Depending on your own life situation | Costs: none | Difficulty:Light
Control where your gaming PC is in your house. The lower the computer in the floor, the more likely it is to get dirty. Has pets? Animal hair is another source of dirt on the PC.
That's why dirt is a problem: Dirt, such as pet hair, can clog fans and dust can form a thin layer on coolers, so little or poor heat is conducted.
You should keep in mind that: You should consider the following things when placing your PC:
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Place the PC on a solid surface and not on a carpet. The mat is a dust collector and therefore not ideal for your computer.
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Avoid placing the PC directly against the wall or in a corner, as heat cannot easily escape here
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Avoid places with widely changing temperatures, such as heaters and windows. Dry heat damages your PC just like humidity outside.
4. Check And Configure BIOS Settings
Requires: No special things needed | Time required: 30 minutes | Costs: none | Difficulty: Hard
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the firmware that is stored on your motherboard and with which you can control certain things on your PC, for example, the temperature or the speed of the fans. The BIOS coordinates the fan speed automatically, but you can also adjust the settings manually.
Be very careful: Incorrect settings in the BIOS can cause serious damage to the motherboard or other components.
5. Check The Airflow In Your PC Case
Requires: Minimal BIOS knowledge, new case | Time required: 15 – 60 minutes | Costs: 0 – 100 euros | Difficulty:medium
With good airflow, you can keep your hardware from getting hot. Airflow means cool air reaches your hardware and hot air is removed and there is no heat buildup inside your case. So you need to check how good the airflow is in your case:
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Poor cable management or loosely hanging components are always an indicator of insufficient airflow. Many cases even offer cable management, which you should use.
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If your computer is active, you can also test the airflow - airflow is best when cool air enters the case and hot air can escape through the other side
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Depending on the case, the fans can be placed at the front and rear to ensure airflow: while the front fans draw in cool air, the rear fans blow hot air out.
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Fans at the top are also helpful: as hot air rises, they support the normal path of hot air.
