Weekly Subject 03 - Cooling

[greengoose1]

As computer safety seemed to be covered pretty well up to and including AC input power, the time has come to move on. As was stated when Weekly Subject was started some thread subjects will be longer or shoter than others.

If you read the other forums, you may have noticed more people having their computers just quit. We will explore the sypmtoms associated with overheating of the computer and how you can improve your cooling with some of the improvements quite inexpensively done.

If you are reading this thread and have a question be sure and ask. Don't be bashful.

The first question then. My computer quits.
How do I determine if the failure was a result of of overheating?

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[Dodge]

Leave the PC along for about 20min's to allow it to cool good. Mean while take the case apart, point a fan toward the inside to help cool. Turn the PC back on, make sure all fans are turning well and free of dirt. Allow to run for awhile with the Table Fan turned toward it. It should run cooler. If power continues to shut off, then I would check more into the PS....

Is this anywhere close..????

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Please remember to let us know if it worked or not...JJ

[bistro]

If the flames are shooting out the side vents, it's definitely overheating....

Dodge's technique is sound; but referring to the last thread--don't stick your fingers in there; just observe those fans with a good flashlight.

[Trish-A]

Sounds good to me Dodge, but then what do I know.
My question here is...
Will adding extra cooling (ie. fan) in my case add life to my PC?
433 Celeron & 252MB RAM.

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Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
(translation: If you can read this you're
overeducated)

[greengoose1]

Trish-A, anytime you can reduce heat on an electronic circuit it will last longer.

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[Dodge]

Trish, it most definately will. Of coarse that depends on how clean you keep the insides also. You could have an Air conditioner inside your PC and if it clogged up it will over heat.

The most major thing is to KEEP IT CLEAN INSIDE.....

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Please remember to let us know if it worked or not...JJ

[Trish-A]

Dirt free, as other's have posted here, is the first key. An old 95 machine I once had always locked up, froze up, BSOD, etc. It was caused by enough dirt in the fans to plant potatoes in.

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Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
(translation: If you can read this you're
overeducated)

[bistro]

A good intake fan (60mm or larger) on the front and an exhaust fan on the back near the CPU will go a long way in cooling the system. Unfortunately, I've seen some retail systems with fairly high-end processors and vid cards that lack both. Overheating then can cause all sorts of problems that can appear like hardware/software errors.

[greengoose1]

Bistro, would you explain the forced air theory for computers?

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[bistro]

No, but I can explain the "Hot Air From Bistro Theory"....or is that a "fact"? Hmmm...

Basically (and there are differing opinions on this), you want cool air coming in at a little (not much) more rapid rate than what is being exhausted. A slight positive pressure. A large (80mm or 120mm) intake fan, perhaps a side panel "blowhole" intake bringing cool air in. (Some cases have these, but for some strange reason they also have vents cut into the side panels--some of your cool air gets blown right out. Better to cover these up IMHO). Your power supply (ps) exhaust and a 60mm exhaust fan near the CPU should be adequate for average-size systems to exhaust warm air out. Some folks like to add a second exhaust "blowhole" on the top of the case. Others like to put a slot fan next to their vid cards (which produce a lot of heat on their own) that exhausts heat out of the back. The whole object is to bring in as much cool air as possible, but also provide a way for the warmed air to escape (duh?).

[greengoose1]

duh? How many people that have computers know what you just said? I didn't until the first time you told the Queen of Hearts and I about it. Sounds like it's about time for her to show up and ply you with a couple of quaint sayings that only she can utter.

Now summer is fast approaching and temperatures rising. What is the easiest and simplest way to drop the temperature of your computer?

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[Trish-A]

I understand ya bistro... it's the basic suck & blow theory.
That is suck it in the front and blow it out the back.

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Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
(translation: If you can read this you're
overeducated)

[bistro]

The system temp will rise in proportion to the ambient room temperature. If you don't have central air conditioning, then put the system as close to a window AC (filtered please) as you can. In any case, make sure there's plenty of air space around the system; especially at the rear (exhaust). (Don't be like my neighbor upstairs and push the case as close to the wall as the wires will allow).
Add those fans. Include a fan filter for all intake fans to help keep the dust out.

Additional note: Some folks have computer desks/armoires where the case is in a cubbyhole. That's fine, but make sure there's a wide open space in the back where the system can exhaust out completely (not recirculate into the cubbyhole). (And for gosh sakes, if it has one, don't close the door to "help cut the sound down". No kidding; had a friend do this and wonder why his system quit on him).



[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Dodge]

Trish, I like you descriptions on things in the last few days....LOL

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Please remember to let us know if it worked or not...JJ

[Trish-A]

Think I need to get back on my meds??? LOL

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Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
(translation: If you can read this you're
overeducated)