Attach AC filter to PC?

[Smoblikat]

I was out tonight and stopped by home depot to grab some AC filter for the side of my case which looks like a wall of dust after a week of no cleaning. Just wondering what is the best way to attach it to the exterior of my case? It will just be sitting over my fans on the outside, I need to be able to take it on and off frequently so I can clean it. Thanks.

 

[Blain]

We need pics to offer you guidance.

 

[Smoblikat]

We need pics to offer you guidance.

Good point

Thats the side of my case, and teh filter is the gray thing in the front. I want to put the filter on the outside. I was thinking of using small magnets to hold the two corners of the top in place, theyre just magnets from my fridge and about the size of a quarter, i assume they wont hurt anything but I figure ill let you guys know so you can stop me from making a big mistake.

 

[Ken g6]

In general, simple ceramic fridge magnets can't hurt a computer these days. The magnets in your hard drives are more powerful and closer to the magnetic media.

As the side of your case appears to be an air intake, it shouldn't take much to hold the filter there. If you were running the PC 24/7, the fans alone should do it.

 

[Smoblikat]

In general, simple ceramic fridge magnets can't hurt a computer these days. The magnets in your hard drives are more powerful and closer to the magnetic media.

As the side of your case appears to be an air intake, it shouldn't take much to hold the filter there. If you were running the PC 24/7, the fans alone should do it.

All of the fans are intake except one So it does actually stick on, until the one exhaust fan pushes it off. I put a magnet on each corner just on the outside and its holding perfectly. Thanks.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Another idea to try would be velcro. Put the hooks on the case and they'd probably grab the filter.

 

[Smoblikat]

Another idea to try would be velcro. Put the hooks on the case and they'd probably grab the filter.

Oh my, that idea is actually great. Wouldve saved me much time and pain trying to pry out the magnets from some fridge decorations

 

[DSF]

Is it just me, or is the timestamp on your camera off by a good six and a half years?

 

[Smoblikat]

Is it just me, or is the timestamp on your camera off by a good six and a half years?

When I change the batteries none of my settings save, including the date. This thing goes through batteries like their nothing so after a while I stopped setting the date.

 

[Blain]

Are there any intake fans in the front of the case?
If so, have you also covered them with filter media?

 

[Smoblikat]

Are there any intake fans in the front of the case?
If so, have you also covered them with filter media?

There are technically 4 intake fans on the front of the case, and I have cut out a filter that fits over them but have decided not to use it due to how the case is set up. There is at least an inch of space betweek the first set of fans and the front of the case, so all an exterior filter would do is disrupt airflow. I dont get any dust on the front (that I can see) anyway so its not a big deal.

 

[fluffmonster]

blunt needle and sturdy thread...sew it on. That will close all the edges too.

 

[mfenn]

All of the fans are intake except one So it does actually stick on, until the one exhaust fan pushes it off. I put a magnet on each corner just on the outside and its holding perfectly. Thanks.

Wait what? Fans that are that tightly packed should all be blowing the same direction. Otherwise you're just creating a short-circuit (with air, not electricity).

 

[Blain]

I dont get any dust on the front (that I can see) anyway so its not a big deal.

If you've got intake fans running, they are sucking in dust just like the side fans.
No magic takes place to keep the front air cleaner than the side unless the fans are filtered.

 

[Blain]

DEMCiflex makes some really nice looking magnetic filters, if you want a more finished look to your case.

 

[corkyg]

Here's another cheap filter solution. I use expendable Swiffer sheets taped over the fan ports. Change them once a month. They are real dust magnets, but there's always a box full of them in the kitchen.

 

[Zap]

Here's another cheap filter solution. I use expendable Swiffer sheets taped over the fan ports. Change them once a month.

How about used dryer sheets?

 

[corkyg]

How about used dryer sheets?

Yeah - they would work, but Swiffers are more absorbent of dust. I also use them for wiping out case insides on occasion. Beats blowing the dirt around with canned air.