How to Cool Your CUP/Processor : 10 Tips for Lowering Heat

A common problem for computer users is high temperatures. Your CPU’s clock is increased for faster calculations per second when more processes are being processed by it. The higher the frequency, the more current will flow through the circuits, increasing the CPU’s temperature. This means the hotter the CPU gets, the more demanding the processes are.

CPU temperature can be affected by a variety of factors, including CPU usage and cooling. High-performance CPUs will operate at a lower temperature with better cooling systems. A system that is overheated can become sluggish and damaged parts will be likely to get fried. A CPU or GPU should not be pushed beyond 100OC. In order to prevent damage from occurring, they are equipped with shut-down mechanisms when the specified temperatures are exceeded. When the temperature goes beyond the threshold, the system will shut down abruptly as if a plug were pulled, displaying a blue screen with an error associated with the heat. Overheating can trigger an automatic shutdown in many motherboards. However, being at that point is often damaging, and running constantly near the limit will do the same. Avoid exceeding the limits at all costs.

However, the performance of your CPU and GPU are greatly improved the lower the temperature is. The higher the temperature, the worse the performance will be. It is also important to monitor the temperature of the air enclosed in your processor’s casing, and it should not go above 32C otherwise it will cause problems cooling other components. It will be like blasting the components with hot air.

Here are simple and effective steps to help you lower your CPU temperature so that you can keep your PC cooler!

How Does Too High a CPU Temperature Affect Performance?

Nowadays, computers are designed so that they shut down when the CPU for the whole system reaches a certain temperature, thus preventing it from bursting into flames. Using this method, the computer will be protected against further damage.

How Does Too High a CPU Temperature Affect Performance

No matter which way you slice it, a high-temperature reading when using the computer for extended periods of time can cause damage to the CPU. Additionally, this can damage the motherboard later on. Therefore, you should ensure that your CPU temperature is kept low.

In order to keep your computer or laptop working efficiently, it is important to keep the CPU running at an ideal temperature level. The temperature of the CPU will increase as it carries out more tasks. Even during times of high load, you can prevent your CPU from getting too hot by using proper cooling measures so that no problems will occur.

How to cool your processor more efficiently

If you want to reduce the temperature of your processor there are only two main options: bring the cooler up to par or use a CPU that runs at a lower temperature. It is possible to provide your processor with better cooling through various methods. We’ll be covering nine different ways of lowering your processor’s temperatures throughout this guide. If you’re interested in lowering your CPU’s temperature, keep reading.

1. Clean Out Your Computer

You should open up your computers if their CPU temperatures are too high if they are older or if they are located in a dusty area or get too hot.

In cases with dust buildup, fan performance can be impaired and airflow will be reduced, Consequently, your CPU is unable to receive the correct cooling it needs. It is essential to clean your computer regularly to keep it in good working order. Those who own laptops are even more at risk because laptops have limited airflow as is-so any additional restrictions caused by dust build-up will have a drastic impact on CPU temperature.

Most people clean their computers by blowing out dust with compressed air. It’s the fastest, easiest, and most common way. If you buy three compressed air packs for $20, you should be able to last quite a while.

The air compressor I have is used to fill up my car’s tires and to complete DIY projects. I additionally clean my computer with an air compressor (attached to a blowgun). A much more powerful air compressor means that the pressure can be increased significantly. I just need to hold the hose a little further back to make sure I don’t damage anything inside my system.

The best place to remove dust from your computer is around the fans inside of it, along with any openings or vents where air can enter (or escape).

2. Do not place the system near windows or vents.

If you are considering a warm place to place your computer, consider where it is placed. If possible, move your system away from heat vents or areas with high temperatures (i.e. near a window). You can typically keep your computer cool by moving it from one place to another.

3. Reapply Thermal Paste

Your next step should be to reapply thermal paste after cleaning your computer. The deterioration of the thermal paste on your computer’s fan/heatsink could be the cause of higher temperatures if the computer is older or you didn’t reapply the paste.

Apply thermal paste to the back of your CPU by placing a droplet of paste about the size of a pea and installing a CPU cooler on top. You can spread the paste out properly using the pressure from your CPU cooler.

If that’s the case, you’ll want to clean off the PC’s CPU cooler and the CPU’s back. A razor blade usually works best for scraping off the thermal paste, and then a lint-free cloth works for removing any leftovers. Alternatively, you can just use a dry lint-free cloth and 90% isopropyl alcohol to get a good clean.

When they are clean, reapply the thermal paste in a pea-sized drop. We’ve compiled the list of the best thermal paste if you need some new paste.

4. When Cable Management Is Bad, Fix It

When everything has been cleaned out and thermal paste reapplied, you’ll want to consider your cable management. If you have a well-organized system, it doesn’t need to be perfect. When your CPU temps are high, you may have a few cables hanging over your major components or a bunch of unused cables that are restricting airflow.

Hence, you should consider rerouting your cables so that it allows for greater airflow inside the case.

5. Upgrading Your CPU Cooler

In the case of a computer that has been cleaned, reapplied thermal paste to its CPU and CPU cooler, and has had well-managed cables, but still reaches excessive CPU temperatures, it may be time to upgrade your CPU cooler.

Of course, if your CPU cooler is already mid-range or higher, the problem might be worse. When using a stock cooler and your processor’s temperatures are higher than usual, upgrading to an air cooler, or even an All-In-One liquid cooler, can help you bring temperatures back into range.

6. Add Extra Case Fans to Your System (Or set them up again)

It is possible that your case isn’t providing enough airflow into your system if you have an excellent CPU cooler, or you upgraded to one recently, yet your CPU temperatures are still above average. Depending on what you are experiencing, you might consider adding more fans to your existing case to assist with the airflow within your system.

Additional case fans could help you bring your high CPU temperatures under control by allowing for additional airflow in your system.

If you already have sufficient fans installed in your case, you might consider reconfiguring them. When your fans are all blowing air into your system and no fans have been set in exhaust mode, the positive pressure inside your case will prevent heat from escaping, which could result in the CPU running at unusually high temperatures. The opposite will also occur if you have all of your fans set up to exhaust air from your case. This could cause CPU temperatures to be higher than they should be.

It’s a good idea to test whether adjusting your fans is also effective in reducing your CPU temperatures, especially if they aren’t configured properly (where air flows in as much as it leaves).

7. Consider a new PC case

Getting a new computer case that allows better airflow might be the best way to lower your CPU temperatures if none of these steps work, or if you’re just trying to lower your CPU temperatures.

It’s a good idea to select an airflow-friendly case that is larger (more room means your components will not be crowded) and features a ventilated front and top panel, along with plenty of fan mounting options.

8. Speed Up Your Existing Fans

Using a program like SpeedFan to make your fans run at high speeds may be a good way to increase the amount of air that flows through your processor, and therefore keep it cooler. When they spin faster, there is more air flowing into the case, which keeps the system operating at lower temperatures and your CPU running at its optimum.

9. Consider a laptop cooler if you have a laptop.

I had a really bad laptop back when I first started playing World of Warcraft. Even at the lowest settings, the laptop struggled to run World of Warcraft. Even with low settings, I could get twenty frames per second and play the game. However, after 20-30 minutes of playing, the laptop got so hot, the framerate dropped below 10 frames per second, and I was unable to play the game anymore.

Thus, I used an HDMI cable to hook my laptop to my TV, placed it on top of a large window fan, and used an additional keyboard to control the game without my frame rate dropping below 10.

Of course, today’s laptops are equipped with amazing laptop cooling systems that keep the entire system running cooler. Those who have laptops may wish to consider a laptop cooler in case their CPU becomes overheated. Alternatively, you could simply use a large window fan.

10. If your PC is operating in a warm climate, lower the temperature.

Last but not least, if the above suggestions don’t work and your CPU isn’t faulty, are you just running it in an environment that is too hot? Temperatures of your CPU rise as the temperature around your computer increases.

The temperature of the room where your computer is running will definitely influence CPU temperatures, so you definitely want to look into that if you’re having problems with them.

FAQs

How do I change my CPU temp limit?

You should not modify the temperature of your CPU when it comes to the temperature limit. A limit on the CPU is chosen by manufacturers for a reason. Using the CPU at a temperature above this level can have serious consequences.

You should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the amount of water. It is common for the CPU to shut down automatically when the temperature reaches a certain level, to prevent overheating.

When a CPU reaches its maximum temperature, significant damage is likely, and this may even require replacement of the CPU.

Despite the fact that most CPUs can be overclocked, you should never alter the temperature limits. A CPU’s performance will be affected if it is run near its maximum operating temperature level, which is not intended. Your build will be irreversibly damaged by this action.