Gaming in summer, prepare yourself

The days are getting longer, the pool is getting warmer, and you see fewer people dressed as the Michelin man walking around shopping centres – all of this means summer is definitely on its way.

While summer has its good points, gamers need to make sure their system can handle the weather changes as well as they can. Is your system ready?

Overheating

It’s not long after the first heat wave that gamers everywhere nerd-rage in unison as their PCs just crashed due to overheating. Your once happy CPU/GPU is now doing its best to imitate a frying pan and long gaming sessions are out of the question until things cool off a bit.

A system can overheat for many reasons at the beginning of summer. Dust build up means air flow is less than optimal, not a problem when the ambient temperature is cold enough to make it snow in all nine South African provinces, but an issue when the mercury starts to rise.

Overclocking is another issue, especially when dedicated clockers have upped their moderate overclock for winter and forgot to turn things down a notch for summer.

You know you have an airflow problem when…

Lightning storms and power surges

It typically rains during the summer in South African (unless you live in a confused, yet delicious sounding windy city that rhymes with Crêpe Town), and rain often invites its buddies thunder and lightning over for a party.

Surges caused by lightning strikes are one of the easiest ways to ruin a good evening’s gaming, so make sure you’re protected. Get down to your nearest electrical shop and buy a surge protector or three, just to make sure all of the important stuff is covered so that when the lights go out, they don’t take your dreams of killstreaks with them.

Actual photograph of a gamer without surge protection being hit by lightning

Glare

Gaming with glare is never good; it gives the noobs one more thing to complain about and ruins the experience. Summer’s long sunny days can become a bit of an issue. Thick curtains that keep the sun out and the fun in are a must, don’t forget to hang them.

Our Pokémon “Gotta catch ’em all” curtains didn’t go with the wallpaper

Drinks cooler

Gaming without a nice cold refreshing glass of iced tea/beer/mead/coke next to you just isn’t gaming the way it should be. Time to break out the USB powered cooling pad that your great aunt gave you for Christmas two years back.

USB can heater/cooler

Personal comfort

Out with the gas heater and blankets, and in with the portable air conditioner. Opening the windows for fresh air can be great, but it gets hot and humid in summer, so your cooler of choice is required to keep things under control. Also, if you plan on gaming with a group of friends, you may want to invest in a gas mask, or a case of deodorant to hand out as they arrive.