posted
Heat has been nearly the number one cause of failure in all the computer systems I have worked on in the last ten or so years. Dust buildup creates an insualting blanket and reduces airflow. Cigarette smokers have the nastiest computer systems, nicotene provides a gooey adhesive for the dirt and seems to be a natural insulator for heat.
As long as you have your computer case open, take a look at whatever else you might be able to do to increase airflow moving cables around is usually about the best you can do. Bundle them up with wire ties or if you are real interested there are newer ide cables on the market that are not ribbon cable. You can also add fans to your case if you like, 12 volt fans are cheap, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be a signifigant improvement. I personally have a 65cfm 120v fan mounted to my case. It's a little overkill but I take my computer seriously. Make sure that if you do add fans have them blowing into the case and not out. Outword airflow doesn't disperse heat nearly as well and makes filters out of your drives and other internal peripherals. Generally the cooler you can get your cpu the better it will run.
Steve
-------------------- Steve Aycock Designs 3489 Oswald St. Johns Island, SC zaor@warpdriveonline.com Posts: 124 | From: Charleston, SC | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic