How to improve your PC's airflow for better cooling

Here’s how to think about your PC’s fans. How to improve your PC’s airflow for better cooling. News Computing How to improve your PC’s airflow for better cooling Here’s how to think about your fans.

Improving airflow might not be as exciting as adding a new graphics card, but it’s essential to getting the most out of your rig. Fortunately, there are a few simple principles you can apply to any PC build to keep all your components running cool. It’s important to understand exactly what you’re trying to accomplish when improving your PC’s airflow.

PC components generate heat as they run, which gets trapped in the case, degrading system performance if things get too hot. The point of fans is to draw cooler air from outside the case over those components and exhaust the hot air they generate outside. That means the first step should be placing your PC somewhere that already has decent airflow — not in a corner of the room, not shoved under your desk, and definitely not crowded in with other electronics.

Fan placement and pressure are the keys to good airflow Grafner/Getty Images Where you place your fans matters even more.