Comments on: How Cold Is Too Cold? How Hot Is Too Hot? (Computer Hardware) http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/ Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Madjordainianhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-45699 Madjordainian Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:30:54 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-45699 I have been running an old gateway 2000 system which is stored outside under an "out house" looking structure sitting on a deck since september of 2006. It is out there 24/7 364.25 days a year not powered up or even plugged in unless I am out there using it in my observatory. I have powered it up from a "cold" start in temperatures from 100 F to -10 F without any problems and proceded to have it run all through the night running my various camera, tracking, & star charting applications without a hitch. Yes there were a couple of times on a spring or fall evening when the humidity & dew points had caused some condensation in the monitor screen, but after a few minutes warm up of the screen it was gone with no ill effects.<br><br>This is an old system Duron 1Ghz 133 fsb, & RAM running on a winxp home OS with 4 80mm cooling fans 2 to each end of the case. Only the power supply was upgraded to a 350W from the stock 240W and of course an addition of 1.5 gig of RAM, (takes a little more power than 240W to run several USB cameras) Maybe it's just this box, but it seems a heck of a lot more durable than would be first expected, that's why such an old system......... It was a throw - away so no big loss if it didn't last long, but due to needing a little more speed with larger image files of some of my newer equipment this old war horse will be getting replaced this summer with the next generation of "obsolete" computer I have sitting around. An AthlonXP 2500 on a 333mhz FBS based system.......It too will be out there for the duration, we'll see how it holds up under the same conditions. Why not a more current notebook system, temperature thermocliens between coming in from outside almost always resulted in a frosted system when bring it back in from the cold, even leaving it running cetain parts were still cold enough to frost. Way too slow of a startup & screen warm up on those cold days if left out with the equipment.<br><br>you can see the setup here: <<a href="http://www.thestardeckobservatory.com/Star_Deck_Albums/main.php/v/TheStarDeck/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thestardeckobservatory.com/Star_Deck...</a>> I have been running an old gateway 2000 system which is stored outside under an “out house” looking structure sitting on a deck since september of 2006. It is out there 24/7 364.25 days a year not powered up or even plugged in unless I am out there using it in my observatory. I have powered it up from a “cold” start in temperatures from 100 F to -10 F without any problems and proceded to have it run all through the night running my various camera, tracking, & star charting applications without a hitch. Yes there were a couple of times on a spring or fall evening when the humidity & dew points had caused some condensation in the monitor screen, but after a few minutes warm up of the screen it was gone with no ill effects.

This is an old system Duron 1Ghz 133 fsb, & RAM running on a winxp home OS with 4 80mm cooling fans 2 to each end of the case. Only the power supply was upgraded to a 350W from the stock 240W and of course an addition of 1.5 gig of RAM, (takes a little more power than 240W to run several USB cameras) Maybe it's just this box, but it seems a heck of a lot more durable than would be first expected, that's why such an old system……… It was a throw – away so no big loss if it didn't last long, but due to needing a little more speed with larger image files of some of my newer equipment this old war horse will be getting replaced this summer with the next generation of “obsolete” computer I have sitting around. An AthlonXP 2500 on a 333mhz FBS based system…….It too will be out there for the duration, we'll see how it holds up under the same conditions. Why not a more current notebook system, temperature thermocliens between coming in from outside almost always resulted in a frosted system when bring it back in from the cold, even leaving it running cetain parts were still cold enough to frost. Way too slow of a startup & screen warm up on those cold days if left out with the equipment.

you can see the setup here: <http://www.thestardeckobservatory.com/Star_Deck…>

]]> By: Loganhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-41134 Logan Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:58:20 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-41134 i have a pretty good computer (desktop) with a Phenom II x4 940 w/ the CPU fan that comes in the box... and my computer was running a 124F im not sure if this is bad or what but it is alot hotter then my old CPU. you dont have to i have a pretty good computer (desktop) with a Phenom II x4 940 w/ the CPU fan that comes in the box… and my computer was running a 124F im not sure if this is bad or what but it is alot hotter then my old CPU. you dont have to

]]> By: SThttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-30767 ST Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:51:12 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-30767 What if your computer is left in your car on hot days? Does the computer being in a black case make a difference for that also? When I turn my computer on it says running file check for C: (or something of the sort), and never really goes anywhere no matter how long I wait.I am wondering if the problems I am having with my computer are from leaving it in my car on very hot days? Any help you can give me on the matter would be much appreciated. Thank you. What if your computer is left in your car on hot days? Does the computer being in a black case make a difference for that also?
When I turn my computer on it says running file check for C: (or something of the sort), and never really goes anywhere no matter how long I wait.

I am wondering if the problems I am having with my computer are from leaving it in my car on very hot days?
Any help you can give me on the matter would be much appreciated. Thank you.

]]> By: AChttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-26748 AC Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:37:36 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-26748 My air conditioner is broken. The room my computer is in is about 95 degrees F, and will likely stay that way for a few days. Will my computer be okay if it's turned off? It's burning hot to the touch when I open up the case... My air conditioner is broken. The room my computer is in is about 95 degrees F, and will likely stay that way for a few days. Will my computer be okay if it’s turned off? It’s burning hot to the touch when I open up the case…

]]> By: Frostbytehttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-26131 Frostbyte Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:05:52 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-26131 Working in ALL aspects of data processing since 1972 you can imagine that I've heard the 'how hot is too hot' question a few times. The best answer I've been able to come up with is the following little axiom, with one qualification: Given that the cooling system in use is functioning properly for the design of the computer and location, if it's comfortable for you, it's comfortable for the computer. One more thing, being in Alaska, we have to watch for saturated cold. Sometimes, even an hour at room temperature is not safe. Once when a notebook had been 'saturated' at about 20 below, I waited till it felt to be about room temp. The drive would not spin up. A screwdriver and an I/R probe later, the drive was still about minus 5 degrees. And this after more than 30 minutes. Did you know it gets over 100 degrees in Fairbanks in the summer? Working in ALL aspects of data processing since 1972 you can imagine that I’ve heard the ‘how hot is too hot’ question a few times. The best answer I’ve been able to come up with is the following little axiom, with one qualification: Given that the cooling system in use is functioning properly for the design of the computer and location, if it’s comfortable for you, it’s comfortable for the computer. One more thing, being in Alaska, we have to watch for saturated cold. Sometimes, even an hour at room temperature is not safe. Once when a notebook had been ‘saturated’ at about 20 below, I waited till it felt to be about room temp. The drive would not spin up. A screwdriver and an I/R probe later, the drive was still about minus 5 degrees. And this after more than 30 minutes. Did you know it gets over 100 degrees in Fairbanks in the summer?

]]> By: Gustavo Fco.http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-23034 Gustavo Fco. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:39:11 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-23034 Than you very much for your information, since I live in a rather hot place I wanted to know when to turn the air condition on in order not to have trouble with my PC. Anyway thanks again for your kind info. Sincerely Gustavo Than you very much for your information, since I live in a rather hot place I wanted to know when to turn the air condition on in order not to have trouble with my PC.
Anyway thanks again for your kind info.
Sincerely
Gustavo

]]> By: Guruboyhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-8575 Guruboy Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:01:58 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-8575 I have no idea why I said "CPU Fan". It's called "Speedfan". Oops.http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php I have no idea why I said “CPU Fan”. It’s called “Speedfan”. Oops.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

]]> By: Guruboyhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-8574 Guruboy Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:00:50 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-8574 As long as the air coming out of an idle computer is just barely warmer than ambient, you should be fine. It's the CPU and HDD temps you should be paying attention to. Download CPU Fan to check those.I diagree with one part of this article. Running a computer with the case open definitely improves temperatures across the board. A lot of overclockers do this. Most heatsink+fan options have the fan blowing into the CPU. With a closed case, outside air HAS to come from an intake fan, side or front. With an open case, outside air is ambient.It's worth mentioning that after some particularly extreme computing - maybe gaming or compressing a particularly large file - one can prolong hardware life by having the computer idle for a while so that the CPU gets down to its idle temperature. There are fan controllers out there that have the fans run for a few minutes after the computer had been shut down...same thing, just slightly more effective and more expensive (thought the electricity bill savings might make up for that). As long as the air coming out of an idle computer is just barely warmer than ambient, you should be fine. It’s the CPU and HDD temps you should be paying attention to. Download CPU Fan to check those.

I diagree with one part of this article. Running a computer with the case open definitely improves temperatures across the board. A lot of overclockers do this. Most heatsink+fan options have the fan blowing into the CPU. With a closed case, outside air HAS to come from an intake fan, side or front. With an open case, outside air is ambient.

It’s worth mentioning that after some particularly extreme computing – maybe gaming or compressing a particularly large file – one can prolong hardware life by having the computer idle for a while so that the CPU gets down to its idle temperature. There are fan controllers out there that have the fans run for a few minutes after the computer had been shut down…same thing, just slightly more effective and more expensive (thought the electricity bill savings might make up for that).

]]> By: Trevorhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-8261 Trevor Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:20:57 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/how-cold-is-too-cold-how-hot-is-too-hot-computer-hardware/#comment-8261 how hot should the inside of the computer be? my case LCD temp display, any temp it should be below? how hot should the inside of the computer be? my case LCD temp display, any temp it should be below?

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