How often do you clean you PC & how?

[peche]

Treat your PC goods like a million dollar car... they get washed too! Remove heatsinks, thermal pads, etc, fill your sink with hot water and just a couple drops of mild dish soap (you know, the type they use to clean wildlife when they get in oil), use a soft-bristled brush, and clean away! Let dry for a couple of days (I stick them in a storage room with a de-humidifier).

thanks dave, always helpful comments, this is topic is pretty tedious and also as you mentioned before, the fact of having some oily air near computers makes the cleaning process a little bit harder i guess, so canned air and brushes aren't enough ...

My room is a dust magnet so i try and clean the pc at least once a month and i will use what ever i have to hand including the hated vacuum cleaner.

Yeah i know static static staic thats why i sit on a metal plate

i have a PC client... that mostly lives inside a desert dune, computer is always full of dust, i use to clean completely this computer every 5 months, i have to take out the case every part and use brush because canned air does not help at all... he smokes too so computer almost have cancer... [sadly i do smoke too, , but i don't done it near my Rig ]

Compressed air when needed. I use swiffer dust pads on the inside of the front of the case and the bottom air intakes to keep dust out.. unscented dryer sheets also work. Never had a problem with temps.

well something interesting... i do not have problems with my computer at job, almost no dust....

Hear more? What, put it in the dishwasher... make sure it dries... reinstall. I did this with boards that I used vaseline on it for sub zero benchmarking.

you mean that crazy thing using kingpin coolers and NO2?
that's insane....

My case is on the floor beneath my desk, an FD Define R4. With all my previous (el cheapo) cases I've always had massive dust build up because I smoke on my room (and not just a little... ) and cleaning out the sticky cake was a bi-monthly business.

Now, every time I open up my case I am surprised to see virtually all dust caught by the dust filters. The only real culprit was my old PSU intake at the bottom, always found a huge cake on that filter, but now ever since I stepped up to a fresh PSU (EVGA Supernova G2 750w) that shuts off the fan at low power draw... there is nothing left to clean.

Lovin' it! All I do now is take off the dust with my hand on the outside of the filter & done deal Saving lots of money on compressed air... so if you're in the market for a good case you know where to go. Spend a little extra and get that dust filter going because you recoup that expense within one cleaning job's time.

sorrow fills me every time i see a case standing in the floor...

 

[Vayra86]

sorrow fills me every time i see a case standing in the floor...

How so? I don't see how using half my desk for a PC case is going to be an advantage, especially one without window Define R4 is a pretty fat kid.

 

[peche]

How so? I don't see how using half my desk for a PC case is going to be an advantage, especially one without window Define R4 is a pretty fat kid.

not on the desk ... but i feel sad when i see a case in the floor directly maybe because most of the damaged computers i have seen damaged were standing directly on the floor, and they inside have dust... ants... some "strange elements" such a little garbage and even hair... pets can be near computers too so ... its not some thing i do ... i prefer to have the computer on a desk, table or wherever possible but not in the floor... that's what i use to advise to people... for taking the better care possible of computers!

Regards,

 

[Bill_Bright]

unscented dryer sheets also work

Not sure that is a good idea. Note that dryer sheets leave a residue that could actually cause dust to stick to it. This residue is why you are not supposed to use dryer sheets in the clothes dryer when drying microfiber cloths used for cleaning and polishing eyeglasses, monitor/TV screens, windows and car windshields. The residue causes streaks when streaks are what you are trying to get rid of.

As I noted above, I use an air compressor with a moisture and particulate filter. These filters are essential because condensation WILL form inside the tank as the heated compressed air cools and its moisture is squeezed out. And that condensation then runs down to the bottom of the tank, collecting rust and other contaminates along the way. Without the filter, even if you regularly drain the tank, this nasty mixture can spew onto your electronics. Not good.

On rainy days I do use a vacuum, but extreme caution should be used with vacuums because the dust and air molecules banging into the nozzle will knock off bunches of electrons building up very significant static charges in the nozzle end. So I wrap my hand around the nozzle and extend my finger, then plant my finger on bare metal of the case interior before moving the nozzle in closer. Then I have a nice natural fiber brush I use to stir up the dust to be vacuumed in.

To me, cans of dusting gas is really a last option. They work, but you have to be careful to keep the can level. And they don't have the pressure an air compressor does. They are great for cleaning hairs out of the mouse's optical cavity, however.

I also have a supply of wood glue sticks I use to keep the fans stationary while blasting. Over spinning a fan can ruin, or at least put excessive wear on fan bearings. It can also overheat the bearing's lubricant, breaking it down making it less effective. So the damage caused by overspinning a fan may not be readily or immediately apparent, but it will shorten the lifespan of the bearing. And the damage is cumulative too.

For systems that come into the shop that have been neglected for long periods of time, and the owner smokes around his computer and has cats, I have had to wash with soap and water, scrub brushes, and electronic contact cleaner. Dog dander is oily but cat dander is super oily and very sticky - and it makes me sneeze.

 

[peche]

I also have a supply of wood glue sticks I use to keep the fans stationary while blasting. Over spinning a fan can ruin, or at least put excessive wear on fan bearings. It can also overheat the bearing's lubricant, breaking it down making it less effective. So the damage caused by overspinning a fan may not be readily or immediately apparent, but it will shorten the lifespan of the bearing. And the damage is cumulative too.

ultra legit... and is the most common problem around this specific topic... people blowing computers and fans spinning has fast as they could...

 

[Vayra86]

not on the desk ... but i feel sad when i see a case in the floor directly maybe because most of the damaged computers i have seen damaged were standing directly on the floor, and they inside have dust... ants... some "strange elements" such a little garbage and even hair... pets can be near computers too so ... its not some thing i do ... i prefer to have the computer on a desk, table or wherever possible but not in the floor... that's what i use to advise to people... for taking the better care possible of computers!

Regards,

Behold, the mighty presence of dust filters in front of every opening But yes I agree in general if you have a shitty case. I did indeed find the weirdest stuff in my old PC's The weirdest being leftovers from a spliff, no idea how it ever got in there haha

Also I'm probably lucky my cat is scared of virtually every kind of noise, so it stays clear of my PC whenever it's on

About the broken fan issue above... totally legit, I've taken over an old laptop from my parents that now has a pretty annoying whine going on with the intake fan... seems they put a vacuum cleaner mouth straight onto it

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Leaf blower. Not kidding. I can reduce the air flow and pressure with the one I have.
Air from an air compressor can be dangerous if not used correctly.
Vacuums can generate static electricity.
Canned air is just to wimpy to carry the dust away. I found that I just chased the dirt around in circles.

But the real lesson to learn here is that careful case selection that has good dust filters just about eliminates the need to clean the insides. Along with that, make sure that all of the air entering a case comes through a filter, by maintaining a positive air pressure inside the case. Cases can also be modded with A/C filters. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO68BU/?tag=tec06d-20

but i feel sad when i see a case in the floor directly

I concur. Just getting a case a few inches off of the floor makes a world of difference.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I will never buy a case without dust filters, but even with filters, dust is drawn in through every other crack and you will eventually have to clean the interior .

But yes I agree in general if you have a shitty case.

Not a fair statement. Filters are not indicative of the quality of the case. Filters are just features some have and some don't. And the fact of the matter is, dust filters impact cooling, and significantly so the dirtier they get.

That said, I buy cases with filters because cleaning them is much easier than tearing down my computer to lug outside for blasting. So when I used to have to lug my systems outside 4 or 5 times a year, I now have just once, maybe twice if we have a long spring or fall and the windows are open a lot.

When my CPU temps start inching towards 60°, it is usually a sign I need to clean my filters.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

dust is drawn in through every other crack

Not if the case has a positive air pressure. Make sure that the volume of air coming in through the air filters is larger than the volume of air being pulled out by the exhaust fans.

 

[Bill_Bright]

That assumes every intake fan draws "all" of its air through a filter. That is not always the case even with filtered cases. Even with positive pressure, dust still gets in - though it will take longer to build up to a point it affects cooling.

 

[tabascosauz]

That's what I use but I disassemble my systems before cleaning every summer and winter . It does get pretty warm and definitely make sure the bottom filter on it stays clean.

I was wondering about that. Is it easy to remove, wash then reinsert?

I also have a supply of wood glue sticks I use to keep the fans stationary while blasting. Over spinning a fan can ruin, or at least put excessive wear on fan bearings. It can also overheat the bearing's lubricant, breaking it down making it less effective. So the damage caused by overspinning a fan may not be readily or immediately apparent, but it will shorten the lifespan of the bearing. And the damage is cumulative too.

Good thing my F12s and A14 have a very large hub in the centre that I can hold onto gently with one finger while I hit the rest of it with the ED500. Just one finger does the trick. I'll definitely be looking into the sticks though.

 

[Bill_Bright]

The sticks are really handy to use with power supply fans which can be hard to reach. If you have kids, just tell them to save their Popsicle sticks!

 

[EarthDog]

MEH. There is something said to being careful when using air compressors with fans... Don't play with them like a kid (meaning try to see how fast it goes with the air) and you wont bork them. Not to mention, cleaning is done over such a short period of time, I highly doubt any lubricant would heat up...

I have never, ever, stopped a fan from spinning when I was cleaning it off with air. Never.

Not if the case has a positive air pressure. Make sure that the volume of air coming in through the air filters is larger than the volume of air being pulled out by the exhaust fans.

Really, I have never seen much of a difference in dust coming through the cracks... I would prefer better airFLOW (more CFM exhaust than intake) than worry about dust. That said, I do not have a dusty enviro in the first place so........

 

[peche]

I concur. Just getting a case a few inches off of the floor makes a world of difference.

this ! on the point!

Not if the case has a positive air pressure. Make sure that the volume of air coming in through the air filters is larger than the volume of air being pulled out by the exhaust fans.

dust is heavier than air... so if pushing pretty air ... dust may not be taken out the case and also can fall from the "flowfirection ... get stuck in hardware... well several things to discuss about it, is imposible to get a 100% dust free case even with dust filters...

 

[Bill_Bright]

I highly doubt any lubricant would heat up...

Just because it is not something you have heard of, that does not mean it cannot happen. Remember, this is about "over" spinning the fans, taking them to extreme RPMs. Something an air compressor at 80+ psi can easily do.

The problem is what peche alluded to earlier when he said,

people blowing computers and fans spinning has fast as they could...

That is, when they trying to get them spinning as fast as they can ... for ill-informed fun.

I have never, ever, stopped a fan from spinning when I was cleaning it off with air. Never.

Then I contend you have never been efficient at cleaning them because when you stop them from spinning, you concentrate the air flow and you can also use a brush to get the stubborn dust. So holding the fan stationary is not just to prevent premature wear and tear on the bearings, but for a more thorough cleaning too. And with the fan stationary, you have direct access for better cleaning of the heatsink too.

 

[EarthDog]

Never said it COULDN'T happen.. WTF? Just said its not likely for the reason(s) I listed...(don't play with it like a child trying to see how fast it will spin / cleaning with air over a very short period of time won't allow the lubrication to heat up if you do that anyway).

You can contend whatever you want, Bill, but you completely missed the point there. The point of me mentioning that was in reference to 'blowing' the fan off. Sure I stop the fans to clean them with a rag/brush!!! I use the air to get the 'big stuff' off the blades. But I never stopped it because I was worried about the lube or bearings.

Assumptions FTL.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

Never said it COULDN'T happen.. WTF? Just said its not likely for the reason(s) I listed...(don't play with it like a child trying to see how fast it will spin / cleaning with air over a very short period of time won't allow the lubrication to heat up if you do that anyway).

You can contend whatever you want, Bill, but you completely missed the point there. The point of me mentioning that was in reference to 'blowing' the fan off. Sure I stop the fans to clean them with a rag/brush!!! I use the air to get the 'big stuff' off the blades. But I never stopped it because I was worried about the lube or bearings.

Assumptions FTL.

There's this amazing thing, that's called the ignore button. In my current browser the comments go from 39 to 41, and I get to not stress out. You might want to try it. If not, you've got a much greater tolerance for shenanigans than I do.



On to the topics at hand.

Every 6 months is radiator flush and fill. Hook up a PSU, power on the pump, and run a mildly acidic solution (CLR or the like is great) through the system. It keeps the metal components shiny and clean, before fresh new distilled water can be shot back through the system.

Radiators get a huge blast of air. They generally have a layer of fuzz on the pull side, but nothing too extreme.

Fans get a twist tie around them. Prevents spinning, and that fouling layer on the blades is hit with more air.

The rest of the case is generally clean, but gets a blast of air. Filters do become slightly fouled, but a gentle soapy rinse makes them shiny as new.

 

[Bill_Bright]

But I never stopped it because I was worried about the lube or bearings.

Okay, I accept that, and that is fine. But the point I was making is not everyone thinks about the bearings or consequences of over spinning the bearings. And they should.

As far as "never said" vs "highly doubt", okay, you are right there too, you never said it could not happen. But don't doubt it. It can happen, especially once the bearings wear (which happens to all fans as part of normal aging) and start to generate even more heat than normal when overspinning.

 

[EarthDog]

So many extenuating circumstances Bill!!

I think I will continue to NOT worry about it, thanks!

 

[dorsetknob]

Hey Billy Boy
You Forgot to Mention you should disconect Fans before Cleaning especialy if you spin Clean them or Jamb them so they cannot spin
Fans are DC Moters and if you Spin them Fast Enough they become Generators and feed Power back into the motherboard unregulated. ( even low voltage/current is not good )
As you will no doubt concure that's not a good idea.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

All of the above is excrement which i merely brushed away.

 

[natr0n]

every 1-3 months take outside/backyard with a shopvac on blower with a lintlizard attachment.

 

[jboydgolfer]

i use positive pressure in my PC to keep air from sucking in foreign debris. however, i also happen to be the owner of a 5+ old PC, and that being the case, I try my best to keep her clean and happy. I use a shop Vac, set up in reverse to GENTLY blow pressurized air into the case...its cheaper than cans, works FAR better, and takes a fraction of the time.

 

[Ahhzz]

My gaming box and server were at my back door until 2 weekends ago, and the amount of dust and pet hair (2 indoor dogs and cats) was a tremendous mess constantly. I didn't clean it nearly enough, but we moved to a different room in the center of the house, away from the main traffic area, and I'm really looking forward to not stressing so much about having not cleaned it recently
For my server, I completely dismantled it, and moved it to a different case, and the dust in that was a mess, but easy to clean once you decide to pull everything out. I really wish I'd gone with a different case than the LanBoy Air we got a few years ago: preferably one with removable filters

 

[Bill_Bright]

I see no reason to disconnect the fans. Don't let them spin and you are okay. And yes, there are lots of extenuating circumstances and this is why some systems can go for years without cleaning or overheating, and others can only go for a few months.

For example, since the kids have moved out on their own, and there's one less dog in the house, it takes much longer for dust to build up in my computers. So every one's mileage will vary.