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Should You Buy Computer RAM with a Heat Shield?
Anyone who works around computers and servers knows how hot
a CPU or GPU can get after a lot of use. The fact that these components are
practically turning your server room into a sauna makes it easy to overlook
heat creation by your RAM.
The truth is that a RAM doesn’t get anywhere near as hot as
a CPU or GPU, but it does create heat. Put your hand near RAM after it’s been
working intensively, and you’ll feel heat coming off of it. (We don’t recommend
touching it.)

Since RAM can heat up with a lot of intense use, does it
make sense to purchase a heat shield?
Longer Life in
Certain Conditions
Talk to a lot of different IT professionals, and opinions
are mixed on whether a RAM heat shield is worth the expense. Faster RAMs will
heat up, especially with a lot of use. For those modules, a heat shield (also
known as a heat spreader) may be able to extend the life of the RAM by helping
to dissipate heat. It may be a good idea to observe your RAM to determine how
hot it’s actually getting and to take note of the environment for your servers
and computers. If you work in a hot area, or if your server room can heat up,
then a heat shield can provide useful protection for your RAM.
If you are working with slower RAMs, or if you don’t use
them to full capacity, you may have less need to invest in a heat shield.
General consensus is that a lack of a heat shield won’t affect the performance
of RAM, but it could lower its life expectancy.
Some IT professionals have made the case that RAM is often
upgraded before heat-related issues can be a problem. Again, you’ll need to
assess the situation of your computer and server setups and your upgrade
schedule to decide if the expanded life expectancy offered by heat shields
makes them a smart investment.
Still have questions about RAM heat shields? Contact our
friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives to find out more
information.