When it comes to computer gaming, you want to keep your PC as cool as possible to avoid damage. It's not always easy, though. Without proper airflow, heat buildup can cause serious problems. Luckily, there are several ways to help cool your rig down without breaking the bank. In this article, you'll learn some tips and tricks for cooling down a gaming PC.
What does computer cooling mean?
Cooling your gaming PC has never been so important! If you want to keep your system running smoothly and avoid any problems, you'll need to learn how to cool it properly. First, you'll need to identify the problem. Some of the most common issues are overheating, crashing, and terrible performance. Here are some tips for fixing each one:
Overheating is typically caused by a cheap or empty fan or no fan. To fix this, upgrade your cooling system by adding a new fan or buying an air cooler. Ensure that the area around your PC is well-ventilated and install a hot-spot reducer if needed.
Crashing is usually caused by an overworked video card or processor. To correct this issue:
Buy a new video card or processor, or upgrade your RAM and storage.
Check for updates and install them when they're available.
Make sure that all programs are closed out before loading up your game.
Poor performance can be caused by overclocking (too much power being given to the CPU), poor cooling, insufficient power, or a jammed DVD drive. To fix this issue, try unplugging everything except the essential components, removing any obstructions, cleaning the current heat sinks, and re-install your parts while having a friend monitor the cooling system. Another good idea is to get an incredible tube running off one of your fans (you are aiming this cooler air right at the CPU, right?). Due to how many components you can meltdown in video games, it's better to tell it not to crash than have it run wrong.
The first steps to adding cooling to a computer cabinet
Adding cooling to a computer cabinet is not difficult, but it does require a few supplies. If you have an existing computer cabinet, the first step is to measure and mark the boundaries of the area you want to cool. Then, you will need to purchase or borrow some cooling hardware. The most popular types of cooling hardware are fans, CPU coolers, and graphics card coolers. Once you have your supplies, you can attach the hardware to your cabinet.
To add fan cooling, use one or more standard fans. You can mount these fans on the front or the side of your cabinet using brackets or mounting screws. Make sure to install the fans so that they blow air towards your computer rather than outwards.
To add CPU cooler cooling, attach a CPU cooler to a motherboard or other eligible component. Most CPU coolers come with mounting screws and brackets, so installation is straightforward. Be sure to select a CPU cooler compatible with your processor; for example, not all CPUs support Intel's Hyper-Threading technology.
To add graphics card cooling, attach a graphics card cooler to your motherboard or other eligible components. Again, most graphics card coolers come with mounting screws and brackets;
How do most people cool their gaming PCs?
Most people cool their gaming PCs by installing a liquid cooler or a thermal pad.
The liquid cooler is generally easier to install. However, it will require that you either have the correct hardware to drive your pipes or have a custom loop with a water block to give you around 4 liters of fluid.
The thermal pad gets a higher temperature than liquid coolers and reduces noise levels by about 50%. But there are several air cooled gaming PCs (a few even use a water cooling system) that have never been overclocked and run just fine. And some games can only be played in 30 FPS or lower without overheating.
Typical components for a PC cabinet cooling system
A typical PC cabinet cooling system features a CPU fan, graphics card fan(s), case fans, and/or other peripheral card fans. These components generate heat that must be removed from the computer chassis to prevent system failure.
CPU Fan: A CPU fan is typically needed to cool the processor. Any excess heat generated by the processor will cause the fan to spin and expel air into the computer chassis, helping cool the processor. It is important to note that if the CPU fan is not working or malfunctioning, the computer may overheat and shut down.
Graphics Card Fan(s): Graphics card fans are typically used to cool the video card and associated circuitry. If you are experiencing poor performance with your graphics card, it may be due to an overheated graphics card. Check for any broken or dislodged fans on your graphics card, which can cause significant damage.
Case Fans: Case fans help expel heat inside the computer chassis. If your PC isn't running as smoothly as it should, it may be due to an overly warm or hot interior computer chassis. A well-designed cooling system should include at least one case fan per side of the
Upgrading your existing cooling system
If you're using your computer in a cramped space, or if it's summertime and the room is hotter, you may want to upgrade your PC cooling system. If you're like most of us, you probably only have one or two fans to circulate the air around your PC. This can create problems if your computer has a dedicated graphics card or if your CPU heats up a lot. [1]
Another issue with nothing but fans is noise. For example, if you have an average-sized room and are running a dual-core processor at 3 GHz, each fan will produce about 50 dB(A) of noise.[2] Over time and with loads that increase, that noise can add up enough to be disruptive.
When it comes to upgrading your cooling system, there are a few options available to you. You can buy a new pre-built system, or you can build one yourself. Pre-built systems are typically much more affordable than building one yourself. Still, they may not include all the components that you need. If you want to build your own system, be sure to read through this article first to know what components you'll need and how to choose them wisely.
Preventing damage and/or problems
In the summer, your computer will run a little hotter than usual. You can do a few things to help out and cool your PC without damaging it.
One of the simplest things you can do is place your gaming PC in a well-placed and well-ventilated computer cabinet. Make sure that there are no obstructions between the heat and your PC. This will help decrease the overall temperature inside the cabinet.
Another simple way to help keep your PC cool is to use air conditioning 75% or more of the time when playing games or working on large files. This will help keep the system from overclocking, which can reach dangerous temperature levels. Finally, never leave your computer unattended if running in a hot environment. Always turn off any unnecessary programs and close down any unneeded applications before leaving for long periods of time.