Overheating Computer

**Lysimachus** · May 23, 2010, 02:31 PM

I've noticed whenever i've turned off my computer recently that a quick feel of the graphics card means that the computer seems to be overheating. Right now i'm browsing on the internet and on MSN, but a program I have states that the GPU is at 60C even though it's not doing anything too taxing. Is this to do with the fact that I normally leave my computer on a lot? If I start turning it off when i'm not using it will it revert to a lower heat level? Also, is there any way to actually reduce the temperature without having to pay money for more hardware?

**Top-Tier-Tech** · May 23, 2010, 02:37 PM

None of those temps are dangerous but they are on the high side for nearly idle. Of more concern... what is your GPU and what temps do you get while gaming?

**HansDuet** · May 23, 2010, 02:41 PM

You might have large amounts of dust inside your case. That can cause heating.

**Darkpriest667** · May 23, 2010, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by HansDuet

You might have large amounts of dust inside your case. That can cause heating.

this would be my thought.

When was the last time you pulled your case apart and cleaned the computer.

Warning leave it off for at least 15 minutes before cleaning and do not turn it on for 15 minutes after.. its a safety precaution... if you just go on spraying as soon as its off you can cause damage to parts that have not properly cooled.

Since its your graphics card I would primarily investigate to see how much dust is in the fan (i always buy fanless its a lot easier to clean properly and collects a lot less dust)

**Taiji** · May 23, 2010, 03:18 PM

If your PC is behaving fine then do nothing.

But if you look inside it and find it's really dirty, then clean it.

BTW in general 60 is not hot for an idle graphics card.

**english tyrant** · May 23, 2010, 04:08 PM

Mine was idling at 60 today, which is 15 hotter than normal because it was scorching hot in England today. In fact when I played COD4, (not exactly taxing) it went to 92 degrees. I should really buy a new case.

**Top-Tier-Tech** · May 23, 2010, 04:17 PM

My 4770 is running at 42C ATM

All depends on your card what you should expect for temps.

**Mediteran** · May 23, 2010, 04:20 PM

dust probably. just a few days ago i noticed in the same program that my cpu and gpu were at 69 while not doing anything. turned out there was a lot of dust inside, i cleaned it, not its at 42.

you probably just need to clean your case

**Sulfurion Blackfyre** · May 23, 2010, 04:55 PM

I have a similar problem, but much worse, I have a compaq presario, and it overheats to the point of shutting down, especially when gaming. This prevents me playing Total War games lately, or anything really, it even shut down while playing Halo 1 ffs.

What do you recommend me to do? The laptop is a piece of **** in terms of ventilation, it has very small holes, under the laptop, and I was thinking about buying an external ventilator, but I don't even know how it works!