Just hot air? Check the fans before buying a computer

By Andreas Thieme Apr 18, 2010, 17:24 GMT

Frankfurt - A loud fan on a computer can be a pain, but one that can sometimes be fixed by ensuring proper ventilation.

Patrick Weiss, a Samsung product manager, says the first step to cutting down on annoying noise is always to make sure the computer is standing so that air can properly circulate through the housing.

Notebook ventilation openings are particularly easy to block. Just leaving the notebook on a soft sofa can lead to obstruction.

'If the grille is blocked, there will initially be grinding sounds,' says Markus Schuetz, who works for PC manufacturer Dell.

Temperatures in the processor core can reach 105 degrees Celsius if the notebook sinks into the pillows. The ventilator will start making more sounds as it spins more and the casing will get hot because no more cooling air is circulating. In extreme conditions, the device will shut down.

Over an extended period, this kind of stress can reduce the life expectancy of the ventilation system, says Sven Schlicker, a ventilation development engineer in Germany.

Extreme heat, severe temperature changes or dusty or moist environments aren't the only factors that can cause internal problems in a computer. Lint from wool sweaters or blankets can also block ventilation paths. That's why it's always better to use a notebook on a hard surface.

Aged ventilation systems responsible for the processor, graphics card or housing can also lead to system interruptions in older desktops. But Schlicker says anybody can easily replace the cooling system for a computer's housing.

The cooling system for a processor or a graphics card is a little tougher. After all, there's a lot of different processors out there and the ventilation system has to fit exactly onto the mainboard. It's not work recommended for amateurs.

There's no option for users to swap out components with a laptop, says Arnt Kugler of chip.de, a German computer portal. Since notebooks are closed systems, swapping out any elements mean key components like the mainboard also need to be swapped. Anyone who pops one open themselves risks damaging the computer and voiding their guarantee. It's always better to take these to the manufacturer.

The best thing to do is to look for a quiet computer when shopping. At the very least, potential buyers should expect a demonstration of the computer in the showroom.

'By placing your hand on the ventilation output, it's possible to get a feel for volume and heat exchange,' says Weiss. Of course, it's important to remember that the desktops are usually up and running all day, which is not the case with the notebooks on display.