How To Keep Dust Out of PC?

[YuYuMartian]

Since I built my PC a few months ago I've been covering the top with a shirt when it's off so dust does not get in. Should I keep doing this, or should I find a new way, or even let the dust get in and clean it later? How do I stop dust from coming in?

 

[Gam3r01]

To answer the title, you dont.
Covering the PC will slow dust settlement, however intake fans generally bring more dust in than dust falling in the top.
That being said, dust is normal. A yearly cleaning (even then really isnt "necessary") will keep the system running well.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Having more intake than exhaust fans helps create positive pressure if you're concerned about dust. This cools a little less efficiently but keeps dust out. Or even having your intake fans be larger than your exhuast. You can also buy dust filters for your case intake fans for some cases, or make them on your own.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Adding to that maintaining positive pressure in your case (more air going in than is being exhausted) with filters on the intake fans, can help keep dust out when the PC is running. This prevents air and dust from being sucked into all the vents and cracks in your case.

 

[6R1M01R3]

Good PC cases have dust filters in front, top and bottom so that the intake fans don't suck any dust inside the case. Keeping the pc away from the floor also helps. Consider that if you smoke, dust/ashes gather faster on the fans or inside the case.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Some options:

1. Make sure all air intakes are filtered.

2. Make sure that you have more air blowing in thru fan openings than out. Three fans blowing in and two of the same fans blowing out means that you have about the same in as out due to the additional resistance provided by the air intake filters. When ya have more air being sucked out by fans than ya have coming in thru filtered openings, you have air and dust coming in thru open / unfiltered grille areas.

3. If you have a forced air HVAC system at your location, change filters often.

4. Consider air purifier.
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3ARoom%20Air%20Filter

5. Cover the PC when not used for extended periods.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=pc+dust+cover&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=1675748336&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6yspk4k7bb_e

6. If have exhaust fans on top, leave PC on ... power usage is minimal. Electronic components degrade more from on / off cycles than time of operation.

7. Blow out the case interior periodically... every 30 - 90 days depending on how dusty your location is.