I have a bulky Acer PC that heats up my room considerably when I game for just half an hour. The AC isn't very effective since the thermostat is located in another room. When it's winter, I can simply open the window for fresh air, but that's not an option in the summer. I'm considering a standalone AC unit that can vent heat out through my door because my window isn't suitable for typical AC designs. I'm looking for any suggestions or different methods to manage this heat issue. Thanks!
5 Answers
A solid solution is to move your PC to another room and use USB/HDMI cables to connect it to your setup. This way, you can still play your games without worrying about it heating up your room.
Consider undervolting your CPU and GPU to reduce heat output. If that doesn't help enough, an AC unit is probably your best bet. Plus, capping your FPS can also help—there’s no need to run your GPU harder than your monitor can display.
Try using a box fan to help circulate the air in and out of your room. Also, increasing the efficiency of your PC components might help. I’d be careful about venting an AC unit out through your door; it might not be very effective. If your windows can open at all, there are those portable units with vent hoses that might work better.
The best way to handle this is to decentralize the heat. If you can't get the heat out using fans or an AC, consider moving your PC to another room altogether. This way, you can keep your gaming setup without turning your living space into a sauna.
In my office, I've set up a ceiling fan along with a small desk fan that blows warm air out of the room. I also use a vent booster that draws extra cool air into the space, and it's worked really well for me.
I can try a box fan, but I usually keep my door closed. Also, my PC needs to run at max performance for more than just gaming. I've been toying with the idea of making a custom exhaust for my AC to fit under the door, but I'm not sure how practical that would be since my window design isn't really suitable.