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Should I add a fan filter?

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Drunkentig3r

Member
I'm going to be reformatting my hard drive soon, and so I figured its time for some "spring cleaning" for my computer. I am going to be performing various little tasks to keep my computer running cool and stable, such as typing up loose wires with zip ties, doing some vaccuming to remove dust, as well as getting a new Heatsink/Cooler (Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro). Another small upgrade that I'm considering is purchasing fan filters for both my front and rear case fans. I am using two Antec 120mm case fans, and am considering purchasing two Compusa 120mm Fan Filters . Reason being is that my room tends to get pretty dusty even with regular cleaning and sweeping, and over time a lot of the dust ends up piling inside my computer case. Hopefully, if I add these filters, it'll help fix the problem.

Now, I'm hoping for big dividends for my small investment (Filters cost $2.00 each). My only concern though really, is that perhaps by adding these filters, I'll somehow end up constriction the amount of airflow that enters into and exits my case. I mean, I'm not too concerned over the brand of the filter (I would think they are all the same). Are my concerns justified, or am I just overthinking things?
 
Hrm...

Well, I *guess* it's a matter of opinion, so here's my opinion...

Personally, I don't like filters. I *think* they restrict flow & volume, plus most of them are butt fugly, especially when they get (ahem) dusty.

When I notice dust bunnies forming (usually 4-8 weeks), I unplug the box, remove the side panel, take it out to the garage, and blow it out with a 125psi blast from my dual-stage air compressor. The only thing you have to be careful about is blowing dust BACKWARDS through the fans, e.g. make sure you blow the air in the same direction that it normally flows...

I recommend you forget the filters and buy an air compressor. Filters are worthless, IMHO, even deltrimental, but air compressors are great for all kinds of stuff! 😉
 
I completely disagree with XXX up there. 😉

Filters mean that you don't need to clean the case out as often, for him he might well go from 4-8 weeks to 6-12 weeks between cleaning. You do lose some airflow thanks to the filters but it's not going to stop the air completely, with 2 120mm fans you're not going to be starved of air. (Hell once upon a time you got cases with a single 80mm exhaust, they still work).

Yes it will lower your airflow, by maybe a whole CFM. (2 antec tricools will each blow around 40 CFM at medium (let alone high) i think, so i dare say you can manage)
 
I buy home forced air furnace filters. The kind with the thin aluminum mesh on both side of the fiberglass medium. Cut to size, then hold inplace with bits of tape. Works very well.


...Galvanized
 
Only filter I use is the one that's built-in for the intake in the Antec case. There are 2 holes on the side panel. I'm gonna tape those up to minimize dust intake.
 
For the ghetto filter types you can use those dryer sheets that people use to put in clothes dryers for clean smelling & anti staic cling. They do a good job and smell nice too. Just cut to fit and replace as necessary.
 
I recommend a filter on your main intake fan. Less dust is good - it also helps keep it out of the PSU too. Getting your case up off the floor helps a lot too - 8 or 10" is all it takes.

.bh.
 
Sorry to bump an old(ish) thread, but what about coffee filters for dust filters? I'm currently using a couple Thermaltake 12cm fans that I double-sided taped a square of coffee filter to the outside of (didn't tape the exhaust 12cm fan, seemed redundant since any dust would be blowing OUT).

Side panel before (HSF duct & card section)
Side panel after (HSF duct & card section)
Front 12cm fan area before
Just realized I didn't take an 'after' shot of that area - D'OH! I covered the whole bottom area and around the FDD.
 
I found paper coffee filters to be a nice substitute for foam filter mesh.

Mr Coffee never had it so good.
 
Everything is a trade off. I like a clean system, so I use a filter and a stronger fan if needed to overcome any restriction. Of course I use overly strong fans to begin with so it's no problem for me.

.bh.
 
Having a good filter is actually a good thing and will help your rig stay clean and run cooler. I recommend Filter Right fan filters. I have two of them and they are very easy to clean and keep all the dust out without restricting airflow.
 
I live in probably the dustiest house that exists... Text and my case has a filter on the main intake fan on the front of the tower but I still gotta bust that sucker outside with a can of compressed air about once every 4 months or so.

Like your house, you gotta dust it once in a while whether you like it or not, lol. :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: Beachboy
I live in probably the dustiest house that exists... Text
Click to expand...

Holy hell! Do you let your cat live in the case? :shocked:
I don't get that much hair on the corner brush we got for our cat!
 
Originally posted by: Skott
For the ghetto filter types you can use those dryer sheets that people use to put in clothes dryers for clean smelling & anti staic cling. They do a good job and smell nice too. Just cut to fit and replace as necessary.
Click to expand...

I love using dryer sheets. My case has a crappy filter already in it, so I wrapped it with some dryer sheets and it works great. My case always smells nice every time I change the sheets.
 
Similar to GalvanizedYankee, I use heating system filters.

Bought a big filter @ Lowes about 2yrs ago for ~$10. It has the thin metal wire support in the filtering material.

I just take some scissors and cut out a piece for my intake fans every 2 months, with a 1month vacuum-clean in-between. IMO it does cut down on air flow - noticeably, but, like Zepper, I use strong fans and thus enjoy a relatively dust-free system.

Compare a good vacuuming/blowing of the system every month (dusty house) vs. every 5-6 months (and even then it's not too bad...)
 
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