A computer is randomly freezing, and you suspect that it might be overheating. What’s the best way to monitor the system temperature?
A) Buy a thermostat and mount it inside of the computer.
B) Place a thermostat in the path of the outgoing airflow.
C) Use a software utility to monitor the temperature of the system components.
D) Place the system into an air-tight box and use a thermometer to monitor the changes in heat over time.
Answer: C) Use a software utility to monitor the temperature of the system components.
System overheating is common, especially in older systems where dust and debris accumulate over time into the fans and vents of a computer. This can be especially harmful for laptops, since those systems are much more compact and have fewer fans and vents available to help with the cooling process.
The incorrect answers:
A) Buy a thermostat and mount it inside of the computer.
Although this would technically be a viable alternative for long-term monitoring of temperature settings, it’s a bit impractical for basic troubleshooting. Computer enthusiasts who push the limits of their system through overclocking often install permanent temperature monitoring systems directly inside their computer.
B) Place a thermostat in the path of the outgoing airflow.
The outgoing airflow of a computer is certainly warm, but it’s not an accurate representation of the temperatures inside of your computer.
D) Place the system into an air-tight box and use a thermometer to monitor the changes in heat over time.
This was a big red herring, since it’s a really bad idea to put your computer into an air-tight box. In such a confined space, the heat would increase quickly and potentially damage the components inside of the computer. It’s also a bit impractical to have an air-tight box sitting around just for troubleshooting temperature problems. Don’t ever do this!
The correct answer:
C) Use a software utility to monitor the temperature of the system components.
Fortunately, a number of CPUs, video cards, hard drives, and other components are designed with built-in temperature sensors. With the right software, it’s easy to get instant temperature information directly from the hardware.
I use a free utility called HWMonitor from CPUID.com. Load it on your system and watch your temperature, voltages, fan speeds, and much more.
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Want to learn more? Watch “Cooling Systems Installation and Troubleshooting”Installing a CPU fan or case fan is a simple process, and this video will show you how easy it is to select an install a new fan in your computer. We’ll also provide you with some tips for maintaining the proper airflow through your system and where you can find free software monitoring tools to check on the internal temperature of your computer. |