The last Friday in May each year is National Heat Awareness Day. Although its creation was to keep outdoor workers safe in the heat, we felt it was a good time to talk about strategies to keep your electronics in optimum condition in the hot months. Our homes, businesses and schools often have air conditioning, but the summertime heat can test any AC unit, and at times, using our devices in the heat can’t be avoided. Hotter than normal temperatures can damage critical computer hardware and could degrade performance. Experts suggest room temperatures of less than 75-77 degrees Fahrenheit, and, in general, cooler is better. If you oversee keeping equipment running smoothly, sometimes the best efforts (keeping your laptop out of the hot car or avoiding placing your phone in direct sunlight) may not be enough. Here are some technology tips for dealing with heat effects.
Monitor temperatures: Most modern systems have temperature probes in the case and can report CPU and GPU core temperatures. Learn more about checking system temperatures.
Maintain your equipment: Make sure your system is in a well-ventilated area and nothing is blocking the machine’s vents. Open your computer’s case and gently remove dust from the fans and heat sinks. Make sure all the fans still work and replace any that are failing. Dust-clogged heat sinks can also degrade cooling, so use compressed air or a small vacuum to remove any dust between heat sink fins. Learn more about cleaning your computer.
Upgrade: If you’re experiencing overheating, investigate upgrading the CPU cooler. Often, a relatively inexpensive but improved heat sink and fan can dramatically improve cooling efficiency.