Question white chalk-like powder building up inside my case. what could it be?

[mocha__]

i notice that inside my case, on top of my GPU and around my ram theres a white-chalk like powder building up and i have no idea what it is. its not regular dust because it almost stains/sticks on them like a residue in the crevasses and corners of my ram and gpu. like i have to scratch it off a bit to remove it. almost resembles corrosion but i dont see how that could happen cause nothing is leaking water onto my components. and everything is sparkling clean aside from my ram and gpu

https://imgur.com/a/Q7hQTl5

View: https://imgur.com/a/Q7hQTl5

 

[DaleH]

This could be thermal paste that has dried out.
DaleH

 

[mocha__]

thanks for the reply. it kind of looks like it could be that but i have to idea how since my cpu has a water cooler on top of it. i dont see how thermal paste could come out. or maybe from my gpu?

i edited the post and uploaded pictures if it helps

 

[Eximo]

Evaporated coolant can often be a white powder. Make sure that it isn't leaking out slowly.

Otherwise, looks like some sort of dust. Could be micro plastics/paint/drywall/ceiling tiles all sorts of things that are simply getting sucked in and stuck to anything you've gotten skin oils on.

 

[mocha__]

i think the second thing you mention might be it. everything else is clean, my water cooler has no signs of this substance. only my gpu and ram and ive touched those a lot. only thing confusing me is why now? never noticed this until this week