Are you looking for a solution to prevent computer overheating then this article is for you to read? Its true computer overheating is a nightmare for gamers and overclockers. That’s why these users constantly look for methods on how to stop a computer from overheating.
No doubt, many modern gadgets are there which can cool down the computer on hot summer days. But the missing part is that you can keep your PC cool and prevent it from overheating even without spending money on these gadgets.
The computer consists of a lot of parts and almost every part generates heat while performing tasks. The CPU, graphics card (GPU), and power supply unit are the main culprits causing computer overheating. Sometimes overheating computers leads to unexpected shutdowns, data loss, and hardware damage.
In this post, you will learn how to stop your computer from overheating, and how to make pc cool with the easy-to-use free tips.
How hot is too hot for CPU and other PC components?
PC temperature varies with hardware components. That is each PC part has a different temperature range. For example, i7 CPU temperature can get up to 105 degrees C whereas, hard drives have a lower operating temperature of 70 degrees C. So you can use different measures on each hardware to prevent computer overheating.
While focusing on overheating the computer you should also keep an eye on how hot should my GPU be? As already said it’s also one of the main causes of computer overheating.
So when you play games the normal GPU temperature should be around 60-80 degrees C. If it exceeds 80 C then it will cause GPU overheating. The idle GPU temp must be around 45-63 degrees C.
You should also monitor GPU temperature using the best temp monitoring tools so that you can learn how to stop computer overheating.
How PC keeps itself cool to prevent computer overheating
All PC cooling systems whether they are desktop or laptop computers, dissipate heat out of the computer’s case with the help of several PC fans. These computer fans are the main computer system cooling parts.
In case, hot air is not removed properly, the computer overheating problem can get so serious that it can cause damage to your PC. Therefore, it’s advisable to check PC temperature regularly, although keeping your computer cool should be a top priority.
11 Easy Ways to prevent computer overheating from Desktop PC and Laptop
Here I’m going to explain how to prevent overheating of the computer using the best computer overheating solutions. Most of them are free or some are a little inexpensive.
So, there’s no excuse to leave your computer overheating while there exist easy DIY tips to prevent computer overheating. Apply these methods to keep your computer cool and lower PC temperature.
Tip: Three preventive measures that you should take to prevent your computer from overheating are cleaning, improve airflow, and stop overclocking.
1. Allow for Air Flow
The easiest way to prevent computer overheating and to keep your PC cool is to give a little breathing room by removing any obstacles to airflow.
To improve airflow there should be 2-3 inches wide space around your computer. Especially take notice of the backside and make sure nothing is sitting at back to block air. You can also place an external computer fan to provide more airflow in the system.
In case, your computer is kept inside the desk then make sure the door isn’t closed all the time. Because cool air enters from the front and sometimes from the sides of the case.
If the door is closed all day, hot air tends to recycle inside the desk, getting hotter and hotter the longer the computer is running causing the computer to overheat.
Related: Why is my CPU Overheating? How do I keep my CPU Cool?
2. Your Computer
The fans inside PC cool the whole inner hardware and prevent CPU overheating but sometimes fans get sluggish. Do you know what causes the fan to slow down and then eventually makes it stop?
Dirt, dust, debris pet hairs– etc. clog up vents and fans and trap hot air resulting in computer overheating. No matter how modern or spacious the PC case is, the dust always finds a way into your computer and much of it gets stuck in the several fans making computer fans loud and noisy.
The best way to keep PC cool and to prevent computer overheating it’s best to regularly clean PC parts. For that, you’ll need a can to buy:
- A can of compressed air
- Microfiber cloth, and
- 99% isopropyl alcohol.
Now open your computer and clean each fan on your PC. It includes your CPU fan, external fans, and your power supply fan.
Blast them with a can of compressed air to get rid of dust, and clean the blades with alcohol socked cloth.
Before applying this method, shut down your computer and take it outside in an open space. If applying this method you can’t get a positive result then it might be a broken PC fan.
Take it out and replace it with aftermarket PC fans. The Noctua, Corsair, and be quite’s fans are the best PC fans, manufacturers.
3. Set Higher Fan Speeds
Default fan speed settings are another cause of computer overheating. Usually, fans run too slowly to cool down PC. Then there is GPU, another heat generator in the computer, its software-only activates the GPU’s fan under a certain load range. To gain control over fan speed, a program like SpeedFan is the best PC fan controller software.
This PC fan controller allows you to improve PC cooling by letting users manually increase or decrease fan speed. Just click on the up arrow to increase the fan speed percentage. Keeping every fan speed around 50% will keep your PC running at a cool temperature and help you prevent computer overheating.
You can also check PC temp and maintain the safe CPU temperatures range of your computer using SpeedFan. But other software can also monitor PC fan speed.
4. Improve Cable Management
The hardware cables take a fair amount of space on your PC. In case, these cables are strewed around they cause computer overheating because proper airflow is obstructed due to their intermingling. To overcome this issue, move, zip-tie, and configure your cables to create more free space inside your PC.
It sounds risky while managing component cables, so always turn off your computer before applying this method. Cable management requires unplugging components and plugging them back in. Yet, taking the plunge will contribute to easier component replacement, better airflow, and an overall cleaner look.
5. Install More Case Fan
Installing more case fans also solves the computer overheating problem. But these methods can cost you 10 to 20$. More PC case fans installed in your system means more airflow. A case fan is a small fan that attaches to either the front or the back of a desktop computer case, from the inside.
If you want to check the prices of the best PC Case fans
The sole purpose of computer cooling fans or case fans is to help move air through the computer. The fresh air reduces the chances of computer overheating besides, it’s is the best way to ensure that those expensive PC parts don’t get overheated.
At least, Install two case fans, one at the front and the other at the back of the computer to properly move air. These Case fans are easier to install as compared to CPU fans, so don’t be afraid to get inside your computer to tackle this project.
Unfortunately, the laptop computer does not have the option to add case fans, but for them, an efficient cooling pad is the best choice to avoid computer overheating.
6. Stop Overclocking
Anyone who knows overclocking can tell you that it causes more computer overheating issues. Why? Because overclocking pushes your computer’s capabilities to their limits and causes a rise in CPU temperature and other hardware components.
But if you have already overclocked your computer without providing an adequate cooling system then there are chances that your system might die due to computer overheating. So use underclocking techniques.
If you do not understand what is overclocking? Then you probably don’t know about overclocking which means you are in a safe zone.
7. Upgrade the CPU Cooler
Among others, the CPU is the most sensitive as well as an expensive part inside your computer. It also has the most potential to overheat. If you upgrade any fan in your PC it will automatically cool all other parts providing better airflow.
But wait, do I need a CPU cooler when you feel a computer overheating in your system it doesn’t mean that by upgrading the CPU cooler it will go away. The CPU cooler should only be replaced when you have applied other free computer cooling solutions.
Many companies sell large CPU cooling fans that help keep CPU temperature lower than a factory-installed CPU fan. These companies offer two kinds of CPU cooler, air or liquid. CPU air cooler comes is large and in small heat sinks.
The large one absorbs more heat due to the large surface area of the heat sink. Before springing for the largest cooler, just make sure that the CPU cooler will easily fit in your computer case. For tip Corsair Hydro Series, DeepCool, MasterAir Maker 8 and MSI CPU Core FrozR L Cooler makes the best CPU fans.
8. Replace the Power Supply
Another computer cooling solution through which you can prevent computer overeating is to upgrade the power supply unit. Because the power supply has a larger fan built into it. When you hold your hand behind the computer, you can easily feel constant airflow, it is coming from that fan.
If you don’t have a case fan, the power supply fan is the only way that the hot air created inside your computer can be removed. Your computer can heat up quickly if this fan isn’t working properly.
Unfortunately, you can’t just replace the power supply fan. If this fan is no longer working, you’ll need to replace the entire power supply to avoid computer overheating.
9. Install a Water Cooling Kit
This method is quite costly. So. use this method only when you have already applied the above methods. The water cooling kit is only feasible in high-end computers. Because in this computer, overheating becomes such a problem that even the fastest and most efficient fans can’t cool the PC.
In these cases, installing a water cooling kit can help a lot to reduce the computer overheating problem. Because water heat transfers efficiently which drastically reduces CPU temperature.
The water cooling system in the PC doesn’t require much space around the CPU. Liquid Coolers absorb heat through specific liquids then this liquid is cooled using a large radiator mounted within or outside your case. Liquid coolers are easy to install, even if you’ve never upgraded a computer before.
10. Install a Phase Change Unit
Phase change units are the most useful of cooling technologies. A phase change unit can be thought of like a refrigerator for your CPU. It utilizes many of the same technologies to cool or even freeze a CPU.
Phase change units like the one pictured here range in price from $1,000 to $2,000. Similar enterprise-level PC cooling products can be $10,000 or more!
11. Reapply Thermal Paste On CPU
To stop the CPU from overheating the quality thermal paste is crucial for maintaining the normal temperature of the CPU. It also prevents computer overheating. The thermal compound is applied between heat sinks and components.
However, CPU and GPU are the only components on which thermal paste is used. The Arctic Silver is a popular best thermal paste which only costs 5 dollars. You can also learn methods of how to apply thermal paste here.
The better the quality of the thermal paste, the more heat transferred between your system’s component and heat sink resulting in less computer overheating.
A low-quality thermal paste will stop doing its job over time, causing PC parts to heat up. Reapplying thermal paste on an old CPU heat sink will lower the temperatures taken on by that part.
After reading these solutions you can easily answer how to cool your PC and stop your PC from overheating. Did you like these methods to prevent computer overheating? Tell us what you think and post a comment.