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How to Keep Your Gaming PC Cool This Summer

How to Keep Your Gaming PC Cool This Summer
Photo by bradjavernick https://www.flickr.com/photos/156466858@N02/52634732081/

Overheating can be a common issue on gaming PCs, especially during summer when the weather contributes to the heat being generated by your system. When a gaming PC overheats, it automatically shuts down the system to prevent any component from being damaged. This can be very frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an online game. So take the necessary measures to prevent your gaming PC from overheating during this warm season. Here are tips to keep your gaming PC cool this summer:

  1. Place your gaming PC in a good area for optimal airflow.
  2. Never place your PC near direct sunlight or heat vents.
  3. Keep your gaming PC in a room with air conditioning.
  4. Ensure that your case is properly closed to prevent dust.
  5. Increase your fan speed.
  6. Regularly clean your PC fans for optimal performance.
  7. Upgrade your fans and install case fans.
  8. Use a larger case for your system.

1 – Place your gaming PC in an area with optimal airflow.

Find a proper space where you can place your gaming PC unit. Make sure to put it on a hard surface like an office desk or a sturdy gaming PC table. Avoid putting your PC right up against the wall. Leave about three to five inches of space behind the PC to allow the hot air to escape through the back vents. Keep this space clear of any obstructions that might affect the unit’s airflow.

2 – Never place your PC near direct sunlight or heat vents.

Placing your gaming PC anywhere near direct sunlight or heat vents can quickly raise your PC temperature. So avoid putting your unit near the window or where direct sunlight hits. If the only available space is near the window, consider getting blackout curtains to minimize heat.

3 – Keep your gaming PC in a room with air conditioning.

The ideal room temperature for your gaming PC to run continuously without overheating is around 68°F to 78°F. However, during summer, the environment temperature can rise up to 80°F or higher depending on your state. If you’re in a cooler area, then good for you. If not, the warm climate can definitely affect the overall temperature of your gaming PC. 

The best way to solve this is to place your gaming PC in a room with air conditioning. You don’t need to keep the AC open at all times. Just turn it on if you plan to use your gaming PC to play video games for hours or when running high-demand apps.

4 – Make sure that your case is properly closed to prevent dust.

A common mistake most PC users make is opening the case of their unit, thinking that it will keep the system cooler. However, this might backfire and cause more issues in the long run. Dirt and dust can quickly go into your system with the case open. The build-up can clog the fans and increase system temperature, which can cause your system to overheat.

Make sure to keep the case securely closed. There’s a chance dust can still enter the system even if it’s slightly open.

5 – Increase your fan speed.

Playing for hours on your gaming PC can generate more heat, especially if your fans are running at default speed. As a result, your system will have difficulty running. You can quickly fix this by adjusting or increasing the fan speed to help keep your system cool.

Go to your system control panel and check if there is an option that will allow you to adjust the fan speed. If not, there are either built-in programs on your PC or external apps to adjust the fan speed.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave your fans running at higher speed at all times since this can cause the fans to burn out. You can just adjust the fan speed when gaming or running stressful tasks.

6 – Regularly clean your PC fans for optimal performance.

As stated earlier, dust and dirt build-up on your fans can cause them to run slower. To make sure that your fans are always in their optimal condition, clean them regularly. All you need is a can of compressed air to spray the fans and remove any dust build-up.

When cleaning the fans of your gaming PC, make sure to turn off the unit first and take off the case’s cover. It will also help if you use a static bracelet so you won’t accidentally shock any parts of your system, which can cause issues.

7 – Upgrade your fans and install case fans.

Upgrading your PC fans is another way that can help keep your system cool this summer. Look for larger and high-performing fans in the market than those already installed on your computer. Using high-performing fans can help deliver a more effective cooling system for your unit.

Another tip is to install case fans to help cool your whole case. Aside from the individual fans around your CPU, you can install bigger case fans to help with the airflow. Install a case fan at the front to help pull the cold air in for the best configuration and another one at the back to pull the hot air out.

8 – Use a larger case for your system.

Overheating can be a big issue when your case is overcrowded with wires and hardware components. First of all, it doesn’t have enough space inside to let the air flow even with the help of your fans. The best solution for this is to invest in a larger case where you can spread out your hardware. The more space and distance between your components, the more the air can flow inside your case.

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