Question for the Computer Geeks out there

Blackleaf · October 23, 2007, 08:27:43 PM

Walerp is right. I've had it with building my own computers and all the nerdery involved in it. I'd rather do something with my computer than spend all my time fiddling around with it. Unless you're really into videogames, or you like nerding it up with the computer, you'll be happier with a Mac.

RPGPundit · October 23, 2007, 10:24:41 PM

Oh yes, that's a productive, helpful, and nonpartisan answer: "instead of being any use at all to you in helping your computer issue, we're going to recommend you throw away your current computer and spend over a grand on getting a new one" (actually, more like two grand over here). :rolleyes:

RPGPundit

RPGPundit · October 23, 2007, 10:25:07 PM

Anyways, does anyone have anything actually helpful to add?

RPGPundit

walkerp · October 23, 2007, 10:31:56 PM

I was thinking long term solutions.

I'm not really sure why you are installing heat monitoring software in the first place.

HinterWelt · October 23, 2007, 11:50:23 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditAnyways, does anyone have anything actually helpful to add?

RPGPundit

Try removing the cover. Run with the case open since this will often allow better air circulation. Remember, the ambient temperature of the room you are in will affect your heat performance. Most air cooling systems are ruled by the same rules of thermodynamics that an air conditioner are...without the benefit of coolant. So, if the room you are in is 90 F it will be more difficult for your fan to cool than if it was 70 F. So,
1. open your case and run without the cover on.
2. Be aware of the rooms ambient temperature

Good luck,
Bill

J Arcane · October 24, 2007, 01:25:57 AM

Quote from: HinterWeltTry removing the cover. Run with the case open since this will often allow better air circulation. Remember, the ambient temperature of the room you are in will affect your heat performance. Most air cooling systems are ruled by the same rules of thermodynamics that an air conditioner are...without the benefit of coolant. So, if the room you are in is 90 F it will be more difficult for your fan to cool than if it was 70 F. So,
1. open your case and run without the cover on.
2. Be aware of the rooms ambient temperature

Good luck,
Bill

This advice depends entirely upon case design though.

A properly designed and installed case will actually get better airflow closed than open, as the fans will draw air in a current across all the components.

A shitty case however, or one in which all the wires inside are haphazardly strewn about in a fashion that prevents good airflow, will indeed often run better with the sidepanel open.

RPGPundit · October 24, 2007, 02:09:08 AM

its ambient temperature I'm worrying about, because its been rising lately as summer is starting to come along here; today was about 30ºC; mind you though, the computer's temp didn't actually change (it always stays firmly between 49-53ºC).

RPGPundit

HinterWelt · October 24, 2007, 02:15:11 AM

Quote from: J ArcaneThis advice depends entirely upon case design though.

A properly designed and installed case will actually get better airflow closed than open, as the fans will draw air in a current across all the components.

A shitty case however, or one in which all the wires inside are haphazardly strewn about in a fashion that prevents good airflow, will indeed often run better with the sidepanel open.

He was looking for suggestions. If he has a CPU cooling issues chances are he is either drawing too little external air or the case is set up wrong. It would be worth trying as it is less drastic than trying to explain (and execute) at CPU fan change out. So, for instance, he could take the cover off, see if the temp improves and if it does not, replace it.

Bill

Koltar · October 24, 2007, 02:15:19 AM

Pundit,
What Hinterwelt said is pretty reasonable advice. I've heard similiar comments and advice from very honest tech guys.

Sounds you may need to make sure the room your computer is in has adequate air conditioning.

- Ed C.

walkerp · October 24, 2007, 07:20:45 AM

But there's no problem!

Your computer is working fine, right?

Why are you worrying about the readout of some less-than-fallible software?

Usually, if your computer overheats, it just shuts off. It's not good for the long-term life of the cpu and it's annoying, but it sounds like you are working fine. Ambient temperature (considering you are living in a hot country) can be an issue. Just keep an eye on things when it gets really hot. But I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

Blackleaf · October 24, 2007, 07:30:37 AM

Uninstall that heat monitoring software. It's just making you panicky. I had a little LCD thermostat on my old PC that used to freak me out like that. Then I just stopped looking at it and I felt much better.

James J Skach · October 24, 2007, 08:43:13 AM

Just out of curiosity, Pundit - who gave you the monitoring software? Was it, by chance, a company that sells fans/cooling stuff for computers?

Because that would be ironic on sooo many levels...

Though J Arcane is correct (that a good system should flow the air properly), I thin Hinter's got the best advice to start.

I also wasn't quite clear - have you removed the case, vacuumed it out, cleared away any possible obstacles to air flow? I'll say it again - if you do that, and the fans are turning (which you can check visually just by removing the case), you should be fine.

I mean, it's not like this computer is brand new, is it? I mean, it's been running fine and now this software is telling you something odd, yes?

RPGPundit · October 24, 2007, 02:47:39 PM

Quote from: James J SkachJust out of curiosity, Pundit - who gave you the monitoring software? Was it, by chance, a company that sells fans/cooling stuff for computers?

No, it was something a friend (computer nerd guy) sent me when I was having trouble with my last computer.

I kept it on the new computer; on the old computer it turned out that overheating definitely wasn't the problem since it was running constantly at about 35ºC. Of course, that was a lesser pentium chip than the current one.

QuoteI also wasn't quite clear - have you removed the case, vacuumed it out, cleared away any possible obstacles to air flow? I'll say it again - if you do that, and the fans are turning (which you can check visually just by removing the case), you should be fine.

I mean, it's not like this computer is brand new, is it? I mean, it's been running fine and now this software is telling you something odd, yes?

Actually, this computer is pretty much new, it dates back to August. So I doubt that dust would be an issue at this point.

Anyways, thanks to those who've offered advice. I think I'll take the advice of not worrying about it for now, since it seems that as long as it stays in the 50º range its pretty safe; and I'll ask that computer geek friend of mine next time I run into him.

RPGPundit