PC Cleaning & Precautions

[Louis Roscommon]

Hi there

I'd like to set up a thread about PC Cleaning which is often overlooked. Any thoughts or methods about cleaning any part of the PC - post here!!!

Tips No.1
Cleaning the outside of the case.
Get a spray bottle and place 4 cap fulls of white vinagar and fill with luke warm water. Spray and use kitchen roll to buff dry. Might get away with window cleaner but can leave residue over time.

Tip No.2
Cleaning the front grill.
Take off front grill cover, place over a tap and run cold water to get rid of dust, grime and nicotine. Use a nail brush to get into the mesh holes etc. Do not scrub too heavily as to not wear down paintwork or scratch plastic. Now use a hairdryer and kitchen roll to dry. Dont do this if the front grill cover has USB or other electronics.

Tip No.3
Cleaning the inside of the PC and electronics.
Buy a can of 'Air' and spray away all dust. Make sure you do controlled bursts 8 inches away from electronics. Do not hold can upside down because the air will condense into water and ruin the PC. Might be an idea to wear rigger groves so your hand doesnt freeze up. You can buy these cans on internet cheap.

Tip No.4
Cleaning the fans.
Remove the fan and use a damp cloth or baby wipe to remove dust and grime. To clean the fan blades use the cloth and your little finger to get in deep. If the fan is very small use a cotton bud.

Benefits to a clean PC
1. The PC will run faster as heat will be reduced. Dust can create a 'jacket' effect and keep the PC warm.
2. The PC will look nicer.
3. The PC will last longer as heat will be reduced and airflow will be smoother and fresher.

 

[tom_gr7]

place over a tap and run cold water to get rid of dust, grime and nicotine.

nice thread dude!

But I would never allow my pc to smoke, what kinda of pc owners do you think we are?

 

[Louis Roscommon]

nice thread dude!

But I would never allow my pc to smoke, what kinda of pc owners do you think we are?

Hahahaha! I thought it was normal to offer the PC cigarettes as to relax =P

 

[tom_gr7]

haha lol!

gald ya mentioned cleaning, i gave mine a clean today, certainly glad I've filtered all my intakes.

My bottom intake, a pain to get to, as i have to take off both side panels and bottom of the case, so only do it once a month or so.

Glad i've got filters otherwise all that dust would be in my 580's, psu, cpu cooler, all over the place!

Ps yes that filter is on the wrong way, otherwise it catches on the fan blades

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Tom, the front fan cover/filter (bottom of the front of the case)...how the hell do you get that off? The very basic guide suggests you just pull it a bit, but I never like doing that as I swear its going to snap! (Yes I can Google this, but as you mention filters etc thought id ask)

I have done a rejig of my room this weekend and so took the opportunity to take a look at cleaning Ms Sniper and wow I hadnt noticed the amount of dust in the filters! Sadly didnt have any air to hand so will have to fully do it another time, but it did strike me how little dust there was in the case (on stuff). Sure there is some, its a filter not a vacuum, but compared to my old PC, a year on with only one semi-clean half a year ago, its doing pretty well!

 

[Louis Roscommon]

haha lol!

gald ya mentioned cleaning, i gave mine a clean today, certainly glad I've filtered all my intakes.

My bottom intake, a pain to get to, as i have to take off both side panels and bottom of the case, so only do it once a month or so.

Glad i've got filters otherwise all that dust would be in my 580's, psu, cpu cooler, all over the place!

Ps yes that filter is on the wrong way, otherwise it catches on the fan blades

I actually took my bottom intake off as it sucked up alot of dust, its a shame because the air is colder the more south the fans are positioned. I am guessing that fan there is right from the PSU? Has your PSU got its own fan?

 

[tom_gr7]

Tom, the front fan cover/filter (bottom of the front of the case)...how the hell do you get that off? The very basic guide suggests you just pull it a bit, but I never like doing that as I swear its going to snap! (Yes I can Google this, but as you mention filters etc thought id ask)

I have done a rejig of my room this weekend and so took the opportunity to take a look at cleaning Ms Sniper and wow I hadnt noticed the amount of dust in the filters! Sadly didnt have any air to hand so will have to fully do it another time, but it did strike me how little dust there was in the case (on stuff). Sure there is some, its a filter not a vacuum, but compared to my old PC, a year on with only one semi-clean half a year ago, its doing pretty well!

I tend to get this compressed air mate, clicky works well and is cheap

the front bit, just give it a pull and it will come off, if ya aint done it before might be a bit stiff.

I am guessing that fan there is right from the PSU? Has your PSU got its own fan?

yeah its in the cavity under the case, got another 140mm fan on the inside. Just to the right of the psu.

N yeah my psu does have a fan, but i've mounted it fan side up, so it intake air from inside the pc, mainly to prevent dust getting inside psu, and to aid removing air from inside the case.

 

[Louis Roscommon]

yeah its in the cavity under the case, got another 140mm fan on the inside. Just to the right of the psu.

N yeah my psu does have a fan, but i've mounted it fan side up, so it intake air from inside the pc, mainly to prevent dust getting inside psu, and to aid removing air from inside the case.

Interesting setup for fans. What temps you getting idle ?

I actually like that PSU. I am stuck with the 650W version. The blue lettering on it would go well with my blue LED's and I could upgrade to a nicer graphics card.