The two biggest threats to the hardware inside your computer are heat and water.
Now, it goes without saying that putting water in your computer is probably not a very wise thing to do so we won’t talk about that in this column, but have you ever stopped to think about the environmental factors of where your computer sits?
Exposing your computer to excess heat over the long term of its life plays a very serious role in the lifespan and performance of your machine.
Make sure that you regularly dust your computer case, and see that the vents on your laptop or desktop are clear to prolong the life of your system greatly.
So much furniture is available out there to optimize the looks of your home – but many of them, especially computer desks – do not account for the space a computer needs to vent off excess heat.
Generally speaking, the basic desktop has a fan on its front that’s designed to:
- Pull cool air inside,
- Run it through the case, and then
- Fans within the computer are set to push that hotter air out the back or side of the case,
- Preventing a buildup of heat on the sensitive components inside the case.
What happens when you put that computer into an enclosed space, like an entertainment center? There is no easy place for the heat to dissipate and now that machine is running at a temperature that it was not truly designed for! Some brands of computers run hotter than others, but the point here is, if you want your machine to last you many years, ensuring it has the room to breathe is vital for its health.
- Keep your fans clean,
- Make sure there are few gaps or holes in your computer case that can disrupt the intended airflow, and
- Making sure there is somewhere for the heat to go once it departs your computer.
That will work wonders in preserving the lifespan of not just your computer, but every component that is in it. If you feel that your computer may be running to hot you should contact your local PC Geeks technician in Allen or Frisco.
We’re happy to help you get your equipment optimized for the environment its in, give us a call. We also service Plano, Little Elm, McKinney, Celina, Fairview and many more neighborhoods near you!
Comments? We love ’em! Leave them below.