I have a Lenovo idea pad computer and I really enjoy playing Skyrim with mods. The computer gets very hot on one side and I'm worried playing Skyrim will cause damage. The computer is only a month old and is extremely loud the fans can't keep up. Skyrim is on lowest setting and I run minimal mods. What can I do to prevent damage from gaming?
I have a low quality computer but enjoy playing games, how can I prevent damaging the pc?
Guest
Unfortunately, there's probably not a lot you can do. Ultrabooks are designed first and foremost for being thin and lightweight. As a result, they have terrible airflow through them.
Your first step would be to locate and install a program that can monitor your system, including giving separate temperature readings for CPU and GPU. This will ensure that you are investigating the correct part of your PC. It's probably the GPU, but best to be sure.
Then the question becomes how hot does it get while playing. If it's below 80C, you aren't causing any real damage. Beyond that, it will slowly cause damage.
If the GPU is getting beyond 80C, you might be able to download the latest driver and utilities set from the manufacturer and if you are really lucky, it might have an advanced setting that will let you set the max temperature allowed before the chip starts self-throttling, and you could then set it below 80C. However, it's possible that this might degrade performance to a degree that the game just crashes.
There are cooling trays you can buy, where you sit the laptop on them and the tray has a fan or 3 in it to blow air up at the laptop. Most of them have such weak fans they are practically useless, but I've found Cooler Master's ones are pretty good.
MagicianTrent