Gateway Computer CPU Fans with Heatsink

What to Know about Gateway CPU Fans with Heatsinks

Your computer generates heat whenever its on, and a fan is one of the best ways to combat the risk of resulting damage. CPU fans are designed to sit by a computers central processing unit, cooling one of its most important components in the process. Combined with a heatsink, a Gateway CPU cooling fan makes a great protector for your computers inner parts.

How should the fan work?

Provided your cooling fan is installed correctly, your fan can either blow air out or suck air in depending on how its built and where you install it. Most units will have an arrow indicating where the air will go, so keep that in mind when setting the computer up. Some heatsinks are also designed to funnel air out of the interior.

Will the heatsink require additional power?

There are two major forms of heatsink: active and passive. The former uses the power supply to work, though it shouldnt put much strain on it; CPU cooling fans with heatsinks are usually this sort. Passive units have no mechanical components and will work fine with steady airflow. You might also find one that uses both active power and passive convection to work.

How do you clean the CPUs fan and heatsink?

Cleaning the fan requires care and choosing the right method to do so. You nonetheless have a few options, as seen below:

• Canned air: Canned air designed for electronics is a great way to minimize static damage and give your parts a good cleaning. Spray in an open area to further help clear dust from the blades.
• Electric vacuum or duster: Suck up dirt with an electric vacuum or duster, eliminating the risk of touching the fan too much. Youll have to mind the suction power, but going this route also decreases the risk of static shock.
• Soft cloth: Especially dusty or dirty fans might require a more hands-on cleaning, which is where a gentle cloth works well. A small amount of water or denatured alcohol can expedite the process, but be careful to keep the fan and other mechanical parts from getting wet.

Heatsinks can be cleaned similarly. Along with the fan, its best to remove these parts from the computer before cleaning to avoid static and accidental damage. The heatsink has an additional concern in thermal paste, but simply watch for any temperature increases to know if its getting dirty.

Can you control the CPU fans speed?

Many computers will let you use the BIOS to adjust the speed, and Gateway fans are no exception. While the options vary, you should be able to run it faster or slower depending on the programs and applications you plan to use. The heatsink operates independently and doesnt need to be controlled to work.

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