Can you overheat a computer?

[William]

This may sound like a stupid question, but here goes.

So, I bought a new computer-it's a laptop with an Intel core duo 2.5 ghz processor, 4gb SDRAM, a 5400 rpm 320GB hard drive, 128mb Geforce graphics processor, and a fancy hi res screen (among other stuff). Anyway, I discovered that it plays a racing game, GT Legends, pretty well. I can run hot laps just fine (a teensy bit of stutter at some spots, barely noticeable), and have run a few races against six or so other cars. Looks good, drives good, and it has an Austin Healey 3000 and an E-type.

Anyway, when I'm playing it sounds like either the the hard drive is running a lot or the fan is on. I'm not doing anything right now except surfing the web and it's mostly silent. I'm not playing for more than an hour or so at a stretch, but I noticed that I left the computer on one of the game's menu screens and it sounded like the HD was running on.

Anyway, it sounds like it's running <span style="font-style: italic">something</span> alot when I play a game. Am I risking frying my shiny new toy? FWIW, I'm not using it on a cloth table top or the carpet-its on a bare wood table.

-William

PS-told you it was kind of a dopey question!

 

[Dave Russell]

The harder, faster you run the CPU, the more heat it generates. Games put maximum demand on the chip. I doubt if you are hurting it if all is as originally built.

Folks who are really into games use overclocking to greatly speed up the CPU, more fan cooling & sometimes even resort to liquid cooling the chip.

I'm sure that Dr. Entropy can tell you much more.
D

 

[JamesWilson]

Over-heating used to happen a lot with the first PCs, kind of like LBCs that way; and, as I recall, you could upgrade Apple IIs and the early IBM PCs to more powerful fans... I think I did that when I max'ed the Apple out with its extra 16K of memory.

Things could be helped if you ensure there's free space for airflow around it...

 

[DrEntropy]

You can. For exactly the reasons Dave and James already posted.

Graphics intense gaming apps are using all the CPU and RAM they find available and want MORE. As long as you don't restrict the vents of the case by actually putting it on your lap, setting it on blankets or other stuff which may tend to "form" around it and shunt the airflow it'll likely run a game app fine... but: heat is a problem, gaming really taxes that "small" equipment. If ya really want to run that (or any other mem intense app) game, a more appropriate desktop machine would be my recommendation. Your 'book' is being asked to do a lot more work than it was really designed to do. I'd go so far as to say you should allow it to run for a ten minute "cooldown" period after you run the game by shutting down all apps and leaving it with only the "desktop" to run before you shut it down completely.

It'll likely run the game without failure for at least the period of the warranty...

I'm conservative about these things. If you were my client I'd 'suggest' you remove the game, think about a REAL gaming box (AMD QuadCore AM2+, at least 8G DDR2 1066 RAM, Gigabyte DS-series board, Antec tower case, FIVE ball-bearing fans, 7200 RPM Seagate SATA drive(s), yadda-yadda-yadda...). That way your portable computing device will last a LOT longer.

 

[NutmegCT]

Can you overheat a computer? Yeah, I guess you could say that ...

Think I'd agree with Doc on the dedicated game box. And a 128M graphics card is a tad meager.

 

[rick_ingram]

And here I thought it was my lightning-fast keyboard skills, using only two fingers.

:wink:

 

[DrEntropy]

And a 128M graphics card is a tad meager.

By today's 'gamer' standards particularly.

 

[jlaird]

I run five fans and on line games, and yes you can overheat. Don't ask.

 

[GregW]

think about a REAL gaming box (AMD QuadCore AM2+, at least 8G DDR2 1066 RAM, Gigabyte DS-series board, Antec tower case, FIVE ball-bearing fans, 7200 RPM Seagate SATA drive(s), yadda-yadda-yadda...).

I'd vote to save on the quad core. Get a higher Ghz CPU ( Intel extreme edition)and a faster video card w/ more RAM.

 

[aerog]

but: heat is a problem, gaming really taxes that "small" equipment. If ya really want to run that (or any other mem intense app) game, a more appropriate desktop machine would be my recommendation.

This is purely speculation, but I think the laptop manufacturers tend to push the limit on heat acceptability anyway. Ever read the reviews on laptops? People constantly complain about noise from fans - and it seems like on all the ones I've used, the fans come on after the darned thing has already turned red-hot.

Couple that (true or not), with the way hard-drives and memory are packed away in a tightly packed case...well, it all adds up.

 

[DrEntropy]

All true, Scott. A laptop can overheat by being placed on your lap. Vents on the underside get blocked, no airflow and *tick*! It just shuts down and won't come back. Usually nothin' a new mainboard and processor won't fix, tho. :wink:

 

[William]

Hm. Thanks for the info, fellas. Didn't occur to me that it would put that much strain on the machine. For what it's worth, I'm quite picky about not using my laptops on anything other than a nice, hard surface like a table (or at a stretch, a large hardcover book when I'm actually using one on my actual lap), and nothing restricts airflow. I had issues with my PlayStation overheating because it sat on carpet-cheap lesson compared to burning up a computer! But I've never had an overheating laptop (he says, knocking gently on head).

I doubt I'll get a desktop or tower anytime soon-until I move again I've no place to put one. I loaded up GTL simply because the specs of the new machine seemed to match up well with the specs on the game box. I've probably only put in a couple hours at it-I don't have that much time anyway!

-Wm.

 

[bugimike]

I use an Antec cooling platform under my laptop just for the extra cooling and peace of mind!!

 

[GregW]

Hey Mike, does that cause shrinkage problems?

 

[DrEntropy]

Th' mind just reels, Greg... :shocked:

 

[GregW]

 

[RonMacPherson]

A hint, for desktop owners. There is a program you can download(freeware) called SpeedFan) that keeps an eye on the heat.. Let's you know when it's time to turn on the exterior fan or cool down your activity.

Intel's motherboards are designed to increase fan activity to help cool down when everything gets warmed up. If an intel cpu gets overheated it shuts down... Then when cooled off will restart.

Unfortunately, not AMD. When an AMD cpu overheats it usually takes out the motherboard.

So on my desktop I keep Speedfan on, and system restore going. So if I hear increased activity that raises my suspicions, I can check on it.

 

[angelfj1]

many thanks for the hint!

 

[William]

Would this work on my laptop as well (or am I confusing "Desktop" and "Laptop"?)? Sounds like a good idea.

I've had those cooling dinguses before, but the last two broke (through no fault of theirs-I managed to break both of them). Might invest in one again.