Can Room Temperature Affect Computer Performance?
- In normal home and office environments, temperature problems with desktop computers are infrequent.Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Temperature control is relatively simple with desktop computers. They generally stay in one place -- a home or office where the room temperature is both comfortable for people and computers. Allowing the temperature to rise or fall outside the manufacturer's recommended range could impair the performance of the processor. This could lead to data errors, system crashes or, in extreme cases, damage to the computer. If you leave computers on when your home or office is unoccupied, you should either set the climate control system to keep the temperature within the recommended range, or shut the computers down. - The LCD screen is one of the more temperature-sensitive parts of a laptop.Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
The recommended temperature range for your laptop may be wider, because the manufacturer designed it for portability. However, take special care with the LCD screen. Excessive heat or cold can cause the screen to malfunction. Especially in freezing temperatures, permanent damage can result. Avoid keeping a laptop in a vehicle for an extended time in hot summer or cold winter conditions. - With tablet computers, battery life and performance may vary with temperature.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
The temperature management issues for tablet computers and laptops are similar, especially because tablet computers also have LCD screens. Hot or cold temperatures can also impair the battery's performance and ability to hold a charge for a satisfactory period of time. - Complex networks need specialized cooling systems.Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Temperature is a significant concern with servers and other computer networking components. They generate more heat because they usually operate 24 hours daily, managing heavy data traffic. Temperature problems could result in costly failures. Again, follow the recommendations of your manufacturer or a trained network specialist. For a small office network with a single server, a "server closet" with a supplementary air conditioning unit may suffice. Large networks with racks of network and telecommunications devices may require a raised floor and a specialized system to cool the components directly. Network engineers incorporate cooling systems into the initial design and installation.
