Warning: is_dir() [function.is-dir]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/home/howtofix/public_html/blog/wp-content/uploads/wpcf7_uploads/) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/slowpc:/usr/lib/php:/usr/php4/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php:/usr/local/php4/lib/php:/tmp) in /home/slowpc/public_html/blog/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/wp-contact-form-7.php on line 1559
What to look for in a computer case to avoid a slow, overheating PC | How To Fix Slow Computers
How To Fix Slow Computers

What to look for in a computer case to avoid a slow, overheating PC

The case in which a computer is housed does a lot of the heavy lifting where cooling is concerned. A good case is complex, far more than a sheet-metal box, and designed to optimize both the performance and the safety of the components. Excellent cases are relatively inexpensive and, whether one is buying or building, the case is one of the most important elements when deciding upon a computer.

Modern cases should be provided with a multi-zone cooling environment. The best cases can exceed five separate cooling zones within the same case. This allows the fans and heatsinks to work as efficiently as possible as air is channeled through the case in a way that optimizes the cooling effect. In cases without this consideration built-in, stagnant air can build up—and heat-up—or one fan may end up blowing hot air into another.

Ventilation is a big part of how well a computer case works. There are several different schemes with their own advantages. Be sure to check to make sure that these vents are located in areas convenient for your setup. For instance, if your computer happens to sit on a carpeted floor, lower intake vents are likely to quickly end up as areas of ingress for all manner of dirt and fiber. Some cases have baffles to prevent this, others have ventilation placed in specific areas of the case to compensate for compromised setups.

Make certain the power supply is provided a mounting sufficiently distant from the motherboard so that it doesn’t add to the ambient temperature around the motherboard components. Most modern computer cases provide a separate cooling zone for the power supply. The power supply itself is also equipped with fans to keep it cool. The exhaust fan must be oriented toward the exterior of the case to avoid blowing hot air into the case itself. Most cases come with the power supply already mounted, so this usually isn’t a problem. When one is remounting a power supply due to a failure, however, attention must be paid to the orientation of the fans.

Video cards become more complex every year. These components can overheat and, to avoid this, many of them are equipped with their own fans. There should be adequate space between the video card and any other cards on the system to provide for airflow around the component.

If one has consistent overheating problems, taking a look at how the interior of the case is set up is a good place to start troubleshooting the problem. It’s generally recommended that cable fasteners be used to avoid cables drifting out of place and covering any parts of the cooling system, including the fans installed on the hotter components.

High-end cases are usually built to accommodate auxiliary fans. These can be installed at various locations, depending upon the case design. In general, high-powered systems should be built in cases that can accommodate such expansion to ensure that cooling is sufficient.