Temperature and Performance

[ppark001]

Hi All,

This is a general question about computer temperature and performance. I understand why high temperatures will affect the components physically. If a component breaks or melts, then that's it. Off or on.

What I hear alot, is that high temperatures can "generally" affect performance. I don't understand in what way is performance affected. What part of the machine is affected and how, and what would be the symptom of this? And if the computer has some sort of built in self regulating feature to slow down because of high temperature, how can I monitor this with Windows 2000 Advanced Server.

Thanks Any and All

 

[ski]

If a component runs close to, at, or above its maximum design operating temperature, then it will most likely become damaged and fail.
If it runs well below its max design temp., but higher than its normal operating temp. range, then it wil most likely cause instability(crashes, freezes, restarts, error messages, etc.).

There are safety features built into certain components in order to prevent damage from overheating. Intel's newer CPU's will automatically slow down the CPU if it starts to overheat(or or shut it down if the temp. gets too high), and most current BIOS's also have an option to do the same thing.
In addition, monitoring programs will sound an audible alarm if the system or CPU temp. gets too high, or if voltages or fan speeds gets too high or low.

 

[ski]

Forgot to mention that most current BIOS's also have an option to shut down a system if the CPU fan fails.

 

[teknikal]

If a component breaks or melts, then that's it. Off or on."

That's true. However, overheating doesn't necessarily mean permanent damage right away. Depending on how much over the limit the temperature rises, you might see some of the symptoms ski mentioned before you reach the "off or on" breaking point.

Performance is a pretty general term if you think about it. Lockups, freezes, error messages, and momentary system halts are all examples that relate one way or another to "performance".


tek

 

[ppark001]

Thanks everyone for the explaination.

Does anyone know of tools embedded in Windows Advanced Server 2000 that can monitor temperature events?

Or know of monitoring programs.

Thanks Again,

Paula