Can Extreme Cold Harm Computers.

O

onerootpc

New Member
Hi,
My wife and I live Northern Alaska, where temperatures can get -60f (-50C) in December.We live in a small cabin with only wood for heat and were planning on leaving for 2 weeks in December. If we were to leave our computers in the cabin while we were gone would they be damaged by the cold? (Desktop and Laptop)
 
They won't be damaged by the cold. Just be sure that when you return you allow the computers to warm up to room temperature before you use it, otherwise it will damage the computer to start from an extreme cold temperature.
 
voyagerfan99 said:
They won't be damaged by the cold. Just be sure that when you return you allow the computers to warm up to room temperature before you use it, otherwise it will damage the computer to start from an extreme cold temperature.
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Processors actually run faster if it's colder. Semi-conductors loose resistance if it's cold, and so, speeding up the flow through them. The only thing that could harm the computer is HUMIDTY, and this is important, because the temperature may vary extremely, and so harming the computer.
 
ayan said:
Processors actually run faster if it's colder. Semi-conductors loose resistance if it's cold, and so, speeding up the flow through them. The only thing that could harm the computer is HUMIDTY, and this is important, because the temperature may vary extremely, and so harming the computer.
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Okay, try turning on a hard drive that's been sitting in sub-zero temperatures for two weeks and see how long it lasts.




Yeah, thought so.
 
lucasbytegenius said:
What happens when you do?
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Probably not much because humidity is usually very low in Alaska and sub-zero temperature regions.

All reputable computer hardware companies put their products through insanely rigorous testing in wildly varying temperatures and humidities... even testing the life span of hardware with vibration and magnetic interference.

Of course, it'd be a good idea to heed Voy's advice. Heat up the house and make sure the computers are at ambient temperature before turning them on to reduce any risk of failure. It isn't 100% necessary, but it's better than turning it on and hearing ice crystals snapping in the hard drive (which would be unlikely, but better to be prepared).
 
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