Otherwise than short circuit and damaging parts, what are the possible risks of dust building up within the chassis?

[brannsiu]

Shorting the circuit and damaging parts is all I can think of.
Some said cleaning out dust will increase performance, but why? I think dust is practically only hanging in the air,
air has nothing to do with the performance of the hardware parts right? Just want to know the basic logic about those saying

 

[USAFRet]

Heat.
Reduced airflow.

The dust doesn't just hang in the air, it collects on surfaces.
This will eventually be an insulating layer, preventing good airflow to blow over the components.

Dust collecting on fan blades (yes, it does that) will interfere with the fan actually pushing air through the system.

Whatever cooling situation you have...air or liquid radiator...collected dust will impede airflow and convection.

Basic physics.

 

[Norman Frazier CBET]

Heat and aging components due to heat.

 

[Norman Frazier CBET]

Hello, I am New, but I am old.
Retired Biomed Dept. Sprv.
I am on a fixed income so my projects
Involve legacy gear I have, but I bought
a QNAP 2 bay NAS cheap from Tiger.
I have internet on cellphone.
Can a cellphone be a Switch?

 

[Ralston18]

Hello, I am New, but I am old.
Retired Biomed Dept. Sprv.
I am on a fixed income so my projects
Involve legacy gear I have, but I bought
a QNAP 2 bay NAS cheap from Tiger.
I have internet on cellphone.
Can a cellphone be a Switch?

@Norman Frazier CBET

CBET = The Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician. Correct?

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