Description

Cooling accessories – what you need to know 

Overheating computer – why it happens 

Overheating of computers is estimated to cause up to half of all hardware malfunctions. Sometimes this is because of damage to the cooling systems like dust buildup on a radiator or a persistently too high temperature of a processor if you’re using it on a hot day. Computer viruses could also be a culprit of overheating, if they force multiple operations at once, which in turn puts too much strain on the processor. The most common symptoms of overheating are as follows: 

  • Loud fan operation – indicates that the system is unable to ensure the correct temperature inside the computer. 
  • Loss of efficiency – the equipment crashes, clearly works more slowly and resets on its own. 
  • Hot computer case – heat from components significantly raises the temperature of the material of the computer case. 

How to cool your computer 

The first step towards proper cooling of the inside of the case is to pay particular attention to how the equipment is being used. For laptops, overheating often results from them being kept on your bed covers or on your lap; it might be good to place it elsewhere. For desktop computers, avoid placing them in a sunny spot and make sure anti-dust filters are cleaned regularly. 

If your equipment, despite being used properly, still seems to run a fever, try the following list of tried and true ways to cool down your computer: 

  • Cleaning the fan – this is best done with a soft brush or compressed air that will quickly get rid of dust buildup. 
  • Replacing the cooling system – it might not be able to keep up with the components’ demands. In this situation you might want to consider buying more powerful gear (the most commonly picked include air cooling systems and liquid cooling sets). 
  • Installing more fans – that way, you increase air circulation in the case, which minimizes the risk of overheating components. ENDORFY fans range from 80 mm to 140 mm wide, so you can easily pick the proper model for your computer. 
  • Thermal paste – regularly refreshing the thermal paste underneath the processor lets you prevent the overheating of computer components. 

Thermal paste – what is it? 

Thermal paste (also known as heat paste) is a plastic mass that’s used for cooling the surface of components that heat up rapidly. Its job is to tightly fill the gaps between the radiator and the processor, thereby increasing the heat dissipation surface. ENDORFY offers thermal pastes in two volumes: Pactum 4 1.5 g and the somewhat larger Pactum 4 4 g (both variants include a spatula for easier application). 

See all cooling accessories from ENDORFY 

FAQ

How do I check the cooling of my computer?

Controlling your computer’s cooling is easier than it seems. The processor’s temperature can be checked in to ways described below: 

  • Temperature control of the computer with the use of dedicated software – free versions of some of these are available online.  
  • Temperature control of the computer with the use of BIOS – to do this, select the “CPU temperature” parameter. In this case, however, you have no way to check how your computer behaves when you’re using a specific program or game. 

What methods of cooling computers are available?

They say that the first step towards keeping the inside of the computer cool is to regularly clean its fans. This is because layers of dust accumulated on their surface handily limit the movement of blades while also blocking effective airflow. So, it’s a good idea, once in a while, to get rid of the dirt accumulation by using a small brush or compressed air. 

A good way to keep components cool is also their maintenance with the use of thermal paste. If it is used for a new computer at the time of assembly, it wears out within 2-3 years. After this time, you should get rid of the layer of old paste and apply a new one. 

And if you push your computer to its limits every day – for example, by rendering demanding 3D graphics – you might want to think about buying extra fans or an air or liquid cooling system. 

How do I apply thermal paste?

If it’s been 2-3 years since the thermal paste was applied (or since you bought the computer), it’s high time to clean the processor and apply a new layer. To make the whole procedure easier on you, we’ve broken it down into 4 steps: 

  • Prepare your computer – turn it off, unplug it and place it on a protected surface (like on a desktop). 
  • Open the case – remove the components as needed and clean up thermal paste residue with isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth. 
  • Apply new thermal paste – the most convenient way to do this is by using a special spatula or by applying it directly from the tube. 
  • Reassemble the computer – remember to do this carefully – and mind the cables. 

When you’ve gone through the steps above, you can safely plug the computer in and check if everything is working as intended. It’s good to also keep monitoring the processor’s temperature. That way, you can make sure the paste is properly applied and is doing its job. 

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