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How much damage can it do to have a PC in direct sunlight for several hours each day?

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  • Computers
  • Systems
  • Sunlight
Last response: in Systems
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October 22, 2013 8:06:42 AM

I've got a pretty cramped room with a PC in it, and so I can't really place the PC anywhere else. The PC happens to be in direct sunlight, so I assume it can reach temperatures of 40 C even when it is off. I actually placed a shoebox right on top of it for a few weeks to see what kind of damage the sunlight could do, and the red color on the shoebox eventually faded a bit, indicating that the sunlight could do some damage to it.

How much damage could the direct sunlight do to my computer case, which is all black? Or, are my components inside the computer safe? Or will this shorten the computer's lifespan?

Thanks in advance!

More about : damage direct sunlight hours day

October 22, 2013 8:25:19 AM

it could potentially be an issue.

keep your curtains closed when you arent in the room and you will be fine.

honestly i'd be more worried about sun damage to your monitor than the pc case.
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October 22, 2013 8:27:04 AM

ssddx said:
it could potentially be an issue.

keep your curtains closed when you arent in the room and you will be fine.

honestly i'd be more worried about sun damage to your monitor than the pc case.


I've got two monitors and they both happen to be just out of the sunlight (and facing away from it). The computer case is next to the monitors, sitting on a chair (so there is less dust) and since it is raised, it gets more sunlight than if it were placed on the ground.

For the moment, I have placed a small blanket on top of the PC when I am away during the day, to absorb the sunlight. The PC is not on when the blanket is on top of it.
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October 22, 2013 8:28:48 AM

Not much. 40 C is low temp for hot computer parts. Inside case you can have much higher tems. Like 70-80 C and no issues what so ever.

You can buy temperature meter. And look temps when you use it.
Or just use software monitor. Like real temp. Or mb monitor.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/motherboard_mon...
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/


Id say. Just use it. Do not think so much :D 
Good luck ! :) 

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October 22, 2013 9:07:22 AM

yes. 40c (104f) is a low temperature for computer hardware.

my worries though would be long term effects of constant exposure.

i dont think it would be a huge issue but its always better to just draw a curtain and completely eliminate any potential issues.
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