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What is a CPU (central processing unit) fan, and how does it fix a slow, overheating computer? | How To Fix Slow Computers
How To Fix Slow Computers

What is a CPU (central processing unit) fan, and how does it fix a slow, overheating computer?

The inside of a computer is sort of a wonderful place, full of all manner of gadgets and contraptions. Among the most important is the fan stationed on top of the CPU. This is a vital cooling component and it’s not exaggerating to say that the failure of this device can easily destroy a PC in a few minutes. These devices are usually found mounted directly to the heatsink apparatus of a desktop and nearby the processor in a laptop.

The CPU fan conducts cool air around the heatsink which allows heat to be transferred from the metal fins to the surrounding environment. Without this, most CPUs would heat up enough to melt themselves within a few minutes. Some CPU fans may be mounted at the end of a very complex heatsink and are oriented to deliver cool air to a specific location near the processor. Others merely provide airflow around the general area of the processor.

The CPU fan is usually powered by a direct connection to the motherboard. This fan may be variable speed, which allows for quieter operation and less power consumption when the computer is at rest or it may operate at a constant speed. The fans are usually made of durable plastic components and oftentimes outlast the service life of the computer, so replacement is usually not an issue unless an accident happens or the fan simply proves inadequate to the task.

Some processors produce large amounts of heat during their normal operation. These devices are usually provided with very powerful fans that operate at full-speed at all times. The levels of power seen in the most advanced gaming systems, high-end office systems and graphic design computers are often provided with these types of fans. Laptop fans are usually lower power and designed to operate at variable speeds as laptop processors are designed to consume less power and, therefore, produce less heat.

CPU fans are usually meant to be in one specific place relative to the CPU. If a fan should happen to fail, one should never attempt to provide cooling by using a room fan to blow directly on the motherboard. This might seem silly, but the attempt is made often enough and most of these individuals soon find themselves shopping for a new computer. A CPU fan is part of a designed airflow system and moving the components or replacing them with devices that are not purpose-built is certain disaster.

On high-end computers where processor heat can be an issue, adding a better CPU fan may increase performance. The cooler a CPU, the faster and smoother it runs, in most cases. A computer that is constantly freezing up, restarting and from which there is no noise emanating from the case may indicate a CPU fan failure. To check it, simply open up the case and verify that the device is spinning. If it’s not, do not operate the computer until the fan is replaced as the CPU will certainly overheat.