Cool Solutions For Hot Tech: How To Stop Your Tech Overheating 2

Computer hardware is becoming increasingly more powerful and complex. The intensive tasks carried out by these machines generate a lot of heat, and this heat can become trapped in the machine as a result of the densely-packed components.

If technology is not kept cool, there can be a major risk of tech overheating, which can lead to reduced performance or even complete hardware failure. Most machines and gadgets are fitted with fans and vents, but this is not always enough to stop tech overheating – especially in the summer months. Fortunately, there are other ways in which you can cool your hardware. This post explores a few cooling methods to consider.

Optimize airflow

Keeping your devices in a well-ventilated environment can often help to prevent overheating. When it comes to tech like computers and servers, it is recommended that you avoid keeping it in an enclosed area. In fact, encouraging as much as airflow in and around your machines will help them perform better. Stands and desk mounts can help to keep computers off the floor, allowing air to cool them from underneath.

External fans or air conditioning units can also be good for keeping machines cool in the summer. You can use many types of portable fans and portable air conditioning units, which can be positioned facing your machines to cool them down. When using a fan, just make sure that you’re blowing cool air towards your machine.

Upgrading internal fans is also an option if you are serious about keeping your hardware cool. By installing new computer fans, you may help improve airflow and keep components like the CPU cool during intensive tasks.

Position away from heat sources

It’s worth considering where you place your devices to ensure that they are not near any heat sources. Many offices make the mistake of placing computers directly near radiators or heat vents, which can cause them to quickly overheat when carrying out even the smallest of tasks.

You should also consider the risk of direct sunlight. Placing computers right by a window might seem like a great way to aid ventilation, but if it’s a south-facing window on a hot summer’s day, you could find that sunlight ends up frying your computer.

Finally, avoid placing computers directly next to other machines. Some companies make the mistake of stacking hardware, which can cause the heat from one machine to overheat the other. Making sure that each machine has room to breathe will help keep your tech cool.

Explore liquid cooling solutions

More heavy duty machines and server rooms typically require more advanced cooling methods. Liquid cooling is one game changing form of technology that involves using water or a coolant like ethylene glycol to keep machines from overheating.

Direct to chip cooling is a popular option which directs liquid coolant to heat-prone components like the CPU. No, this doesn’t involve getting the components wet – instead the chip is mounted to a cold plate, and water or coolant is pumped through channels in the cold plate, which then cools down the component.

There is another solution that can also be used called liquid immersion cooling, which is used for some servers. This involves submerging the server or machine in dielectric fluids, which unlike water are electrically non-conductive, cooling components without short-circuiting the machine. This method is a lot more expensive upfront, but is becoming more popular due to its long-term energy-efficiency.

Clean fans and vents

Dust is another cause of overheating hardware. Over time, dust in the air can get into the fans and vents of your machines and restrict airflow. This can cause internal parts to overheat.

It is recommended that you periodically clean out your computer’s fans and vents – especially if they are used in a dusty environment like a factory, workshop or building site. Using compressed air, it’s possible to gently blow out dust from fans and vents without having to touch any components. This guide details how to clean a laptop using compressed air.

Protect your tech from dust

Preventing dust from getting into your machines in the first place can reduce the need to regularly clean fans and vents. There are numerous ways in which you can protect your tech from dust.

One option could be to use dust filters on intake fans. These can help to catch dust, however it’s important to regularly clean them so that airflow is not inhibited. Disposable dust filters can be bought for fans which you can simply replace when they get dusty.

Industrial enclosures are recommended for machines used in factories and workshops. This is a special casing around your machine that can prevent dust from getting to it. Such enclosures are designed to still encourage airflow so that your machine does not get hot. It’s also possible to use dust curtains around machines, although these may not be as effective at keeping dust out as an enclosure.

Air purifiers can meanwhile be used to reduce dust levels in the air. You can buy portable air purifiers for homes and offices, which use a HEPA filter to get rid of dust in the air. Environments that are prone to high levels of dust like mills and factories will likely need more robust air purification systems. Industrial air cleaning systems are able to catch greater levels of dust in order to keep air quality clean.

Of course, dust can still collect on surfaces and be kicked up into the air when disturbed. Regular cleaning of your home or workspace is therefore necessary to fully protect your machines from dust exposure. Carpets can be particularly prone to collecting dust – vacuum your carpets regularly to prevent them kicking up dust particles which could clog and overheat your hardware.

Conclusion

To stop your tech overheating, take steps to optimize airflow and keep your hardware away from heat sources. When it comes to more heavy duty computer systems, liquid cooling could be an option worth exploring to extend the life of your machines. Dust control is also essential for preserving your tech – take steps to limit dust exposure such as using an air purifier and consider cleaning fans and vents periodically.