Your power supply unit (PSU) is a crucial component of your PC that often gets overlooked. But monitoring it can save you a lot of headaches down the line. Over time, the PSU can get hot and affect the performance of your computer. It’s a scientific fact that heat energy produced within a device is a result of wasted energy. To ensure optimal performance, it’s essential to monitor the temperature of your PSU. In this article, we’ll explore some tips to help you check the temperature of your PSU and keep it running smoothly.
How Can You Check?
Computer Shut Down
A great feature of your system’s power supply unit is that it will automatically shut down if it overheats. All computer systems are designed to shut off when the temperature of the components exceeds a level that can’t be monitored by software. This is a fail-safe mechanism to protect your system.
Temperature Monitoring App
Although there isn’t a program that directly monitors PSU heat, there are plenty of apps that can help you measure the temperature of your CPU, hard disk, and graphics card. The temperature of the CPU core is closely linked to the temperature of the PSU.
Check Exhaust Air Temperature with a Thermometer
The best way to check the PSU temperature is to open the CPU cabinet and inspect it personally. But if you’re unable to do so, you can bring a thermometer near the exhaust unit and measure the temperature of the exhaust air, which will give you a good indication of the temperature of your PSU.
During Gaming High-end graphics games can put a lot of strain on your system and cause temperature spikes. If your computer’s RAM is less than the recommended limit for the game, your PSU is likely to overheat. And if you’re running multiple apps at the same time, the lack of free RAM can also cause the PSU temperature to rise.
Feel the Air
Your computer has a CPU fan on the back that can help you check if the system is overheating. You can bring your hand near the fan to feel the air and see if the system has heated up. To keep your system temperature under control, you can use a CPU cooling pad.
Also read: Best Dual Curved Monitor Setup for a Seamless Experience
Monitor the Motherboard
The temperature of your PSU is also linked to the temperature of your computer’s motherboard, either directly or indirectly. An application called Motherboard Monitor can be downloaded and used to monitor the PSU temperature by monitoring the motherboard temperature.
Recovering from Overheating If your power supply overheats, it can cause a variety of issues, from blue screens of death (BSoD) to storage failure and hard disk reading difficulties. If these issues persist, it’s a good idea to check your power supply first and replace it if necessary. To prevent overheating, check your room temperature and ensure that the fans and vents in the power supply are functioning properly. If the power supply fails, remove all rack panels to assist in lowering the rack air temperature and prevent damage to system components.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the longevity of your PSU is crucial to the performance of your computer. Regular monitoring and proper maintenance can prevent issues and keep your system running smoothly. If you’re experiencing recurring problems, such as frequent crashes, check your power supply first and consider replacing it if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I tell if my PSU is overheating?
A simple touch can tell you a lot. If the power supply case is too hot to touch, it’s an indication that it’s overheating. Overheating can be caused by various reasons such as overloading and can lead to system failure and possible damage to the components.
What is a suitable operating temperature for a PSU?
When operating in an environment with an ambient air temperature ranging between 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F), the power supply unit’s internal temperature should be well-regulated by the fans. If the temperature rises to 65°C (149°F), the PSU will automatically shut down to prevent any damage.
How can I check the health of my PSU?
You can easily test the health of your PSU by following these steps:
- Turn off the PSU.
- Disconnect all cables except the main AC cable and the 24-pin cable.
- Find pin 16 and pin 17 on the 24-pin cable.
- Bend a paper clip to create two ends and insert them into pin 16 and pin 17.
- Turn on the PSU and observe if the fan turns.
Is it normal for a PSU to get hot?
It’s not uncommon for a power supply unit in desktop computers to get hot, especially when dust accumulates inside or on the PSU, hindering proper cooling. Other factors that can cause overheating include an underpowered PSU, improper PC airflow configuration, or if the PSU is aging.
What are the signs of a failing PSU?
Some of the common symptoms of a failing PSU are:
- Small brownouts that cause the system to restart.
- Electric shocks when the case is touched.
- Complete system failure with no LED lights on the motherboard.
- Smoke coming from the PSU or other components.
