CPU

Last week, I noticed that my computer was becoming really sluggish and the fans, extremely noisy. Seeing as to how I had an inkling that this was due to my CPU heating up or rather, not being cooled enough, and the fact that Windows wasn't telling me what the temperature was, I was in the hunt for a utility to report CPU temperatures in real time. I could, of course, check it via my BIOS. But I wanted a utility to be able to run under load.

I had to clean everything inside my PC today due to heavy dust accumulation and in the process remove the processor fan to clean it and the heatsink below it. However, while I usually mark the "right side up" for the fan, I'd forgotten to do so this time. While it made sense to keep the AMD logo on top, I was still not confident to start the PC without being completely sure. Google spouted advice hither and thither, but the general consensus appeared to be as follows:

• CPU fans should blow air into the heatsink.
• Case fans should bring cool air into the cabinet.