How often to clean PC

[Brian Stirling]

About how often do you clean the PC's filters and how often do you go inside the PC to clean up what the filters missed? I haven't used a desktop in about a decade and so I'm not sure how often is typical.

Also, when you do clean the inside how do you do it? Do you use a vacuum wand? Do you wipe with a damp cloth?

I just completed a new desktop PC build and since my apartment is wall-to-wall carpeting I decided to build a small stand to raise the PC off the carpeting. I only raised it about 3 inches and just enough to make the top of it even with the height of the desk. I have three layers of rubberized matting between the bottom of the PC and the 3/4 inch plywood that forms the top of the stand -- the matting is to keep the noise down and prevent any squeaking or rattling that might otherwise happen if the PC was placed directly onto the plywood.

I hope the stand reduces the amount of dust and crap that gets into the PC by raising it off the carpet.


Brian

 

[C1]

The cleaning interval is dependent on the environment as well as how much the computer is used.

I find that cleaning is needed about every 90 days. I have carpets & hot air furnace so there's significant dust in my environment. (Your mileage may vary.)

Cleaning is done using vacuum. A non-metallic artist brush is used to get at heat sink fins & components in tight spaces. The brush lifts the dust while the vacuum collects it.

(Note: I am against using pressure spray cans for dusting. The reason is that pressure dusting has been found to not only distribute the dust back into the environment, but it also blows dust into components such as connectors, switches & bearings. For example, using pressure dusting to clean a camera was found to blow dust into the camera mechanisms such as lenses, mirrors, switches, etc. Not good. Once that dust gets inside the mechanism you sort of "screwed" yourself.)

 

[mikeymikec]

It depends greatly on the environment as well as what kind of heatsink you're using. I've seen PCs that were spotless inside despite being 5 years old. There's no way on the planet I could get away without raised temps in my room for that length of time.

Heatsinks make a difference because of the fan speed as well as the gaps between the fins; the thinner the gap, the quicker it's going to get filled with dust etc.

 

[DigDog]

i clean mine twice a year. i smoke but there is not much dust in the house. never had any problems with caked dirt or anything else.

 

[MongGrel]

Also, when you do clean the inside how do you do it? Do you use a vacuum wand? Do you wipe with a damp cloth?

Uh, definitely not recommended.

You would stick it in the sink would you ?

Personally, I just open it up now and then and use a paint brush to knock things loose with it powered down completely now and then when it looks like it needs it.

Why windowed cases are nice. I even had filters in this old case on the main long ago and just pulled em out because they were a bit of a PITA, but mine sits about 3 feet off the ground on the top of a big desk.

 

[Charlie98]

Depends on your environment. I live in a very dusty house, I have to clean my PC about every 3 months. In fact, I changed my case selection to cases that have good built-in filtration to try to keep the dust down in the case. All 3 of my home PC's set on or near the floor in a carpeted room (on a board, not directly on the carpet.)

I just use a Swiffer pad and compressed air. About once a year I have to pull the fans (a real pain in my Fractal cases) and give them a good cleaning, the mung just builds up and compressed air won't get it done.

 

[Ketchup]

Once to twice a year. Take them to the porch and use my air compressor.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Uh, definitely not recommended.

You would stick it in the sink would you ?

Personally, I just open it up now and then and use a paint brush to knock things loose with it powered down completely now and then when it looks like it needs it.

Why windowed cases are nice. I even had filters in this old case on the main long ago and just pulled em out because they were a bit of a PITA, but mine sits about 3 feet off the ground on the top of a big desk.

Well I did say "damp" not "wet". I suspect a damp wipe wouldn't remain spotless clean for more than a day or two so perhaps doing it doesn't make sense. Fortunately most of the high heat items don't use the finned heat sink coolers as both the CPU and GPU are water cooled. OTH, the radiators are another aspect and present there own challenge for cleaning.

It looks like a rubber/plastic tipped vacuum nozzle and an artist brush would be the best options. I do hope raising the PC a few inches off the carpet help.


Brian

 

[Socio]

I use the Silverstone Tek 120mm fan filters with MNPCTech "360" degree rotating grills and just vacuum them out rotating the grill as I go, once a week, and the inside of my box is almost dust free.

 

[aigomorla]

PC cleans my air in room