Question Cleaning Out PC

[Gerjaffers]

Hello,
So I was wondering how often you clean out pc.
Is it every 6 months?
and can I use Compu cleaner and just blow all the dust-out and finish?
Thanks
Gerjaffers

 

[NanoSuit3]

Theoretically, you SHOULD clean your PC out every 3-6 months depending on how often you use it and how much airflow and dust is around it and stuff. With that said you can use Dust-Off or Compu Cleaner or whatever as well as cleaning out all the excess dust build ups from inside your case and fans as well as your GPU cuz we all know how much builds up inside those fans don't we!? Anyways, so yeah 3-6 months if you use it a lot or just 6 months............................

 

[Gerjaffers]

okay thanks.

 

[helper800]

okay thanks.

Personally, I do a deep clean once every year or so.

I take apart all of my case dust filters and blast them with the hose. With my PSU flipped off and my PSU cable unplugged, in that order, I hold the power button on my case for 30 seconds to dissipate all the capacitors on the motherboard and other components. I then take a very lightly damp cloth and wipe away all of the dust from the case fans' blades and surfaces. I then take a compressed air canister and blow out all of the larger dust bunnies, if any. I then take a very lightly damp cloth and wipe down all of the surface dust left over from anywhere on the case of the PC. I then take out my graphics card and do the same process on the fans and then blow the heatsink out with compressed air. I wait for all of my removable case dust filters to completely dry after wiping them with a dry cloth and reinstall them. Reinstall the graphics card and the yearly clean is done.

I hope that may help you in the detailing of your PC.

 

[plusev]

It's a never-ending battle, even more so at my place because it's old, Victorian-era old...

In order to minimize dust accumulation, I clean the filters every week and the case, etc, every 3–4 months or so. I should probably invest in a decent air purifier to help. The problem is that they're either not effective enough at low settings or obnoxiously loud on the highest settings.

 

[punkncat]

When I kept my PC on or near the floor, I cleaned it out every 4-6 weeks. Now that I have moved my PC up to the desk it is far less frequent. As mentioned above, I do deep cleaning about once a year or so as well.

My typical cleaning is to power the PC down. Remove any dust filters if equipped (I mostly do not use these) and take them to the sink for a good washing. I take the side covers off the case and carry the PC outside where I blow it out with a cheap electric leaf blower. I typically will take a microfiber rag and clean the surfaces of anything left over, spray and clean the glass (if equipped) and done.

The once or so a year cleaning involves the above as well as taking things down like the fans and physically wiping and cleaning them, brush the motherboard and such to get any stubborn dust and cobwebs. If I have a system so long, about every 2-3 years I repaste the cooler/block unless I experience some issue before then. Of note, I generally do not mess with the graphics card paste or cooling pads unless there is an express issue with it.

Be aware that if you use a compressor to clean with, that it have an oil/water filter inline.

Each system and environment can be different. I do recommend using some manner of temperature monitoring such that you can see when dust is causing an issue.

edit- If you happen to smoke or vape, increase the frequency of what one might consider the yearly cleaning. In particular, vaping near your tower will cause a very gummy dust-oil goo to form on your filters, fans, heat sinks and just generally everything they blow on.

 

[plusev]

When I kept my PC on or near the floor, I cleaned it out every 4-6 weeks. Now that I have moved my PC up to the desk it is far less frequent. As mentioned above, I do deep cleaning about once a year or so as well.

My typical cleaning is to power the PC down. Remove any dust filters if equipped (I mostly do not use these) and take them to the sink for a good washing. I take the side covers off the case and carry the PC outside where I blow it out with a cheap electric leaf blower. I typically will take a microfiber rag and clean the surfaces of anything left over, spray and clean the glass (if equipped) and done.

The once or so a year cleaning involves the above as well as taking things down like the fans and physically wiping and cleaning them, brush the motherboard and such to get any stubborn dust and cobwebs. If I have a system so long, about every 2-3 years I repaste the cooler/block unless I experience some issue before then. Of note, I generally do not mess with the graphics card paste or cooling pads unless there is an express issue with it.

Be aware that if you use a compressor to clean with, that it have an oil/water filter inline.

Each system and environment can be different. I do recommend using some manner of temperature monitoring such that you can see when dust is causing an issue.

edit- If you happen to smoke or vape, increase the frequency of what one might consider the yearly cleaning. In particular, vaping near your tower will cause a very gummy dust-oil goo to form on your filters, fans, heat sinks and just generally everything they blow on.

Complete overkill.

Repasting every 2-3 years is also overkill. By the time paste goes bad, your CPU is already obsolete.

I should have also advised the OP to acquire a datavac instead of using compressed air cans. The initial expense appears high, but it will pay for itself in two years.

 

[punkncat]

Complete overkill.

Repasting every 2-3 years is also overkill. By the time paste goes bad, your CPU is already obsolete.

I should have also advised the OP to acquire a datavac instead of using compressed air cans. The initial expense appears high, but it will pay for itself in two years.

You might have noticed that I mentioned the use of programs to watch my temperatures.

I assure you that even aside from the poor look that a see through side panel has with dust and cobweb buildup inside, that the real decider is based upon that temperature rise. Maybe you live somewhere less dusty than I do? Dunno...but probably poor form to suggest someone else doesn't know what they are talking about in relation to said experience when you know nothing about it.

😉

 

[geofelt]

The key to using air for cleaning is to immobilize the impacted fans so that they do not spin up and get damaged.

Whenever you clean, you run the risk of doing some sort of damage.
Best to clean only when really necessary.

Removable/washable filters can be cleaned on a scheduled rotation.

 

[Eximo]

Dust filters are your friend.

Taking a dry cloth and wiping down the intakes of a chassis every few days/weeks takes seconds and removes the majority of the dust that can build up.

Full cleanup I usually delay until some hardware change that requires me to open the chassis. Then I will pull the front panel off completely and dust it out.

I have a magnetic dust filter on my rear intake as well, that I just pull off every once in a while and whack it against a towel.