Computer is overheating — causes and ways to cool it down

Overheating is one of the most common computer problems. It rarely causes immediate damage to a component — more often it simply "sucks" performance and manifests itself in noisy fans.

What happens when you overheat?

Modern processors and video cards have a defense mechanism — thermal throttling. When they reach a critical temperature, they automatically reduce their frequency to avoid damage. That's why the FPS drops 10-15 minutes after starting the game, although everything was fine at first.

What temperature is normal?

• Processor, idle mode: 30-45°C.
• Processor, under load: 60-85°C. Above 90°C is already alarming.
• Video card, when playing: 60-80°C. Pay special attention to the temperature of the video memory.
• SSD: Up to 70°C.

To view the temperature, you can use the free programs HWiNFO or HWMonitor.

Five main causes of overheating

1. Dust. The most common and easiest to fix cause is dust that builds up between the radiator fins and blocks the air flow.
2. Dried thermal paste. Over time, it loses its properties. See When should we change the thermal paste?.
3. Weak coolant. The standard cooler that comes with the processor is often insufficient for powerful models.
4. Poor ventilation of the building. The fans are incorrectly directed or not at all.
5. Layout. The computer is placed against a wall, in a closed shelf, or on a carpet where air cannot circulate.

Air cooler or liquid (AIO)

Air freshener — Copper pipes and a radiator with a fan. It is reliable, inexpensive, practically does not break, and a good model is not inferior to a mid-range AIO. Disadvantages: large size and visuals.

Liquid cooler (AIO) — Liquid transfers heat from the processor to the radiator. Better for powerful, high-performance processors, more compact around the processor, and visually appealing. Cons: More expensive, has a pump that is a potential point of failure, and has a limited lifespan.

Practical advice: For a mid-range processor, a good air cooler is more than enough and is a more rational choice. AIO makes sense if you have a high-end processor or are building a system in a compact case.

Building ventilation — air flow

This is an often overlooked but very important detail. The correct scheme is simple: Air enters from the front and bottom, exits from the back and top. Warm air naturally rises, so this arrangement helps nature, not opposes it.

It is advisable for the incoming air flow to slightly exceed the outgoing air flow — this creates a slight excess pressure in the housing and reduces the amount of dust entering through the cracks.

What should we do now?

1. Measure the temperature under load — with HWiNFO.
2. Clean the computer from dust (compressed air, turned off fans).
3. Check to see if all fans are spinning and pointing correctly.
4. Move the computer away from the wall, remove it from the closed shelf.
5. If the temperature is still high, replace the thermal paste or coolant.

If you don't want to intervene yourself, our Service center Will perform preventive cleaning and replace thermal paste.