Details about the overheating problem for computer


overheating problem

Overheating problem is one of the most concern for the computer users. Especially the laptop users feel feverish if their laptops overheat. Now the question is, whether we should be concerned or not for the overheating problem. Today we’ll show, why PC overheat, which programs are responsible for the temperature, which parts produce those heat, results of overheating and how much this high temperature affects the overall performance of a computer. After finishing the tune you can learn about computer’s cooling system and what is needed to do when PC overheats. Moreover, a small quiz for the readers on this article.

  • Why PC overheat ?
  • Which programs are responsible for the temperature

After finishing the article you will learn about computer’s cooling system and the reason of PC overheating problem. 

Which parts of PC create the overheating problem ?

Generally heat produces due to the flow of current through many electrical circuits and internal resistance. So, the power system of PC is accountable for the heat production. Starting from LED, every part of PC produce heat, more or less. But not all the parts affects the whole system by generating heat. Actually, the part which does the difficult jobs generates more heat.

If I ask now, which part of PC do the most difficult job, the answer would be computer core-central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) produce most of the heat, because they usually control the whole system. So that is the common factor for overheating problem.

CPU regulates all the algorithm and works the whole time. So, CPU generates much heat. When GPU works for image processing, game or 3-dimentional view, it releases ample amount of heat. Usually, CPU and GPU release most of the heat but HDD, CD/DVD-ROM also produce heat, especially when a large file is copied. You can’t avoid the room temperature also. If the room temperature is more than 27˚C (80˚F), then PC releases heat unusually, because the temperature of other parts stays equal to the room temperature.

How does overheating problem affect the overall performance?

If PC overheats then CPU, memory bank and the hardware of motherboard start to work slowly to reduce heat. For preventing further damage, the computer shuts down on its own. Sometimes PC is unable for work until a new cooling fan installed. Moreover, CPU overclocks rise the temperature of the PC. Overclocks means CPU has to work more than its capacity is given by its manufacturer. Therefore, CPU can be damaged permanently.

We assume that PC lags because of their age. The fact is, PC starts to error in the calculation of its work rate due to aging.  So, CPU tries to solve the error and it creates immense pressure on CPU and the PC overheats. And then the cooling system slows down its internal parts to drop down the excess heat. Furthermore, PC slows down if dirt/dust gathers inside CPU and create the overheating problem.

How does overheating problem affect the HDD?

HDD doesn’t use power like CPU or GPU, so HDD doesn’t create much heat. But the problem is, despite of producing heat, HDD is very heat prone. HDD can be disturbed even if a little bit of heat changes. If you use your HDD only more than 5˚C of the room temperature, the HDD will be out of service before 2 years of its life. The question is, why does it happen? For knowing the answer, you have to get some help from physics. But the knowledge in this level of physics laws is taught at the primary level of school.

hdd overheating problem

We know that heat expands object and cold contracts object. For this reason, the cables of the electrical power supply  are kept loosen and the rail lines have the gap in between. However, we know that HDD has a metal disk which stores data. If the temperature rises, the disk palates can expand a little so the data can’t be read easily. This problem is common to those who have an HDD more than 3 years old. Excessive heat can permanently damage the HDD. So be cautious when you have some time left.

How the PC manages to run when overheats?

The PC has a cooling system to maintain the normal temperature. Those which generates plenty of heat (e.g. CPU or GPU) has a cooling fan. This fan usually works as a ventilator. The fans release the heat outside which is created in heat producing parts. Besides, the case of a PC is made in a way so that heat can be easily released. If your PC is not effected by any dirt from outside then its internal cooling system can maintain the normal temperature.

Those PC which has to do complex work and has some more cooling fan than usual. (As an example, we can say about gaming computer). Besides, cooling fan doesn’t spin at a constant speed every time. If the work load is high, the fan spins faster to cool down the system. But a PC has to do more functioning at the time of copying, file sharing. So, it is expected that the PC will be kept cool for these works.



About Author
