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The advantages and disadvantages of small cooling fans to combat a slow computer overheating | How To Fix Slow Computers
How To Fix Slow Computers

The advantages and disadvantages of small cooling fans to combat a slow computer overheating

Computer technology is becoming increasingly compact and, to that end, manufacturers have endeavored to create ever-smaller versions of the components on which computers depend. Among those largest components are fans, the lifeline of processors and other heat-producing hardware. The continuing popularity of laptops and the increasing amount of desktops designed to be compact while providing impressive power has brought about the creation of new cooling devices to provide for the safety of these components.

Small cooling fans have two distinct disadvantages over their larger cousins: lower power means that air may flow more slowly; smaller size means that a lower volume of air is moved each second. For the very fastest machines, this may prove unworkable, though the effectiveness of the fan can be increased by the use of more innovative heatsink technologies.

A lower quantity and slower flow rate of air means that there is less medium in which heat might be dispersed from the heat sink. Very fast processors can produce enormous amounts of heat when they’re being put to heavy usage. This heat may test the abilities of smaller fans and may well end up resulting in reduced performance and sometimes in outright destruction of the CPU.

Compact fans definitely do have their place, however. In laptops, improvements in both fan and heatsink technology have allowed more powerful processors to be fit in smaller packages. Where laptops are concerned, weight is oftentimes one of the most critical elements of the computer. Small fans can take significant amounts of weight off the machine and, thus, off the user’s back and shoulders.

When combined with innovative case and heatsink design, a small fan can offer several advantages. They are usually far quieter than larger fans and allow for a reduction in the noise produced by computers in the home or office. They tend to consume less power than larger fans which is also an advantage. Smaller fans can be fit into very small desktop cases. There has been a trend toward reducing the size of desktops due to the large space requirements of most computers manufactured in the last 10 years. This saves work space and can make a desk a much more useable space.

Deciding whether or not a small fan is suitable will depend on the particulars of the computer in which it is to be installed. Generally, machines built for performance have size and weight as a secondary concern, if it even merits that much attention from the user. However, as many people have found much to be desired in technology that is mobile, light and powerful, small fans have become more of an option for power users. In machines with small cases, directed airflow can offset the lower power and the use of more than one fan can provide adequate cooling. For anyone carrying a laptop in their backpack or over their shoulder, of course, a small fan is something useful for more than cooling the processor.