How do I clean my GPU?

[Shader Kite]

Hey. I've got a GTX 970 and I've never really cleaned it properly in my ~4/5 years of having it. Currently it's having pretty high temperatures and fan speeds under small load even and it's sounding like a helicopter when playing games like CS:GO in the lowest graphics settings (not constantly, but in intervals). 

So I was wondering how do I really clean it? Is a wet cloth enough? Do I need to take it out (I'm not really knowledgeable and I'm afraid I would damage it if I tried putting it back in).

So how do I do it?

Thanks in advance

[C2dan88]

You will want to remove it from PC and use compressed air to blow out the dust built up on the fan/heatsink.

[iBabySlapper]

You'll need to take it out to clean it. To do a proper clean, you'll want to take the cooler off the GPU. You'll also want to replace the thermal paste of the GPU while you're in there. There are going to be a series of metal fins inside that cool the GPU, dust can clog up and insulate these metal fins. Blow them out with compressed air (you can buy cans for cheap).

 

There's a Youtuber called TechYesCity who's quite good at cleaning PC parts, I'll link a video below.

 

 

[Shader Kite]

Okay thanks I'll try doing that @iBabySlapper @C2dan88.