#115 - Cold enough for you?

Boy its cold out. 7 degrees in Covington right now -20 something at Lambeau Field in Green Bay for the big game. I was thinking about temperatures and computers and thought I'd update you on where you should be operating your technology equipment.

PCs like to be operated at temperatures people like. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperatures are perfect for most PCs. Go above 75 degrees and if you stay there long enough you'll start to have PC problems. Your PC needs cool air to be pulled into your PC to help cool its internal components (the most important is the Central Processing Unit [CPU - the Pentium whatever]). Go below 60 degrees and your risk bringing in air that is cool and it will heat up rapidly possibly causing condensation (water vapor). Note that water and electronics are NOT a good mix. In fact starting up a PC (one that isn't ruggedized) near freezing temperatures is almost as fatal as trying to operate one at 90 deg. If you transport a PC in cool temperatures or store one there, you need to let it heat up GRADUALLY before turning the PC on.

Next temperatures to be aware of are the temperatures that your PC keeps track of internally. We use the free utility, Speedfan, to tell us internal info. You can download it here: http://www.download.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html?tag=lst-1

Maximum temperature of CPUs and other internal components is around 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). If your internal temps are much higher (above 70 dec. C) then the odds are good you are heading for a shutdown. There are several solutions as simple as cleaning up dust bunnies, cooling the room or getting a new internal cooling fan.

Printers and Monitors like the same moderate temperatures as PCs. DO NOT try to operate a Printer below 40 degrees F. Lots of bad things can happen!

If you have questions about your PC's temperatures give us a call or email.