Everyone has heard that it is a good idea to keep your computer hardware as cool as possible. But why is this so important? Today, Syndeo Communications, the leaders in IT support in San Diego, CA are going to go over why it is important to cool your hardware and what can happen if you don’t take the necessary steps to cool your hardware.
Most people do not usually notice the temperature of their computers unless they are overheating. At that point, it can be too late to prevent damage to hardware. Once hardware becomes damaged, there is no other option but to buy a replacement. Data loss may also occur if certain components are affected by the increase in temperature.
Overheating is not usually a problem in newer computers since they are generally clean and their cooling systems are working properly. Once a computer becomes a few years old however, it can build up dust and airflow can become blocked. If left untreated, this lack of air can lead to hardware failure and premature aging of components over time. This means that parts may need to be replaced more frequently and will not last as long as they should. High performance systems like servers and graphics design platforms may require additional cooling to make sure they run at safe temperatures.
Electrical components are sensitive to high temperatures since they use copper wires to transfer electronic signals from one component to another. If the temperature becomes too high the computer may not be able to accomplish this as efficiently and components will wear out faster. In a worst case scenario this can lead to data loss and corruption. If it is a hard drive that is overheating due to insufficient airflow and high temperatures, then the entire system may become compromised and may become a total loss. If this happens to a server it can be devastating to business operations.
The component that generates the most heat in a computer is the Central Processing Unit (CPU). The CPU is the chip located on the motherboard that performs all data operations. Since there is such a high level of instructions that must be performed every second by the CPU, it generates more heat than other components. CPUs normally have heat sinks and fan combinations to keep temperatures low. The heat sink is responsible for statically drawing heat away from the CPU and spreading it over a large surface area. From there, the fan is able to blow cool air across it and keep temperatures in an acceptable range.
A typical computer temperature should always stay below 55C. Anything higher than that may indicate a cooling problem. To prevent high temperatures it is good practice to keep computers in a cool environment so that they have access to cooler air. Cleaning dust from inside of computers once every few years can also help to maximize airflow. For higher performance computers adding additional cooling fans and upgrading existing ones can further decrease temperatures.
Overheating can cause slower performance, downtime and data loss. It is always best to keep computers in a cool environment and make sure that they have sufficient airflow. Keeping computer components cool can extend the life of components and prevent unexpected hardware failure. It can also improve the performance and prevent data loss. All of this will save money on repair costs downtime and ensure optimum performance.
For more tips on how to ensure that your computers are working at maximum efficiency, call Syndeo Communications at 760-650-3300. Our San Diego IT consultants are available to assist you over the phone or can schedule an in-person consultation to discuss individual needs.