Cleaning pc

[Dec0116]

Hi everyone I was wondering for when the time comes what do you guys use to clean your pc and do I need to unplug the fans when I do this or just make sure the power is off any help would be appreciated , I put a pic of the case also to see which would work best for it 

[Poinkachu]

8 minutes ago, Dec0116 said:

Hi everyone I was wondering for when the time comes what do you guys use to clean your pc and do I need to unplug the fans when I do this or just make sure the power is off any help would be appreciated 

When cleaning, I disassemble all parts, including fans.
I use compressed air, when blowing on fan, I stop the blades from spinning by holding the middle part of the fan.
Sometimes I use fine brush lightly to loosen some dusts that doesn't get removed by the blow of air.

Then I use a microfiber cloth to clean things like cables, connectors, or some surfaces like GPU backplate, fan blades. Sometimes combined with IPA if needed.

 

I'd use a compact air blower to save money from repeatedly buying compressed air, but they're expensive for really questionable quality & safety in my country.

[PcBeExpensive]

7 minutes ago, Dec0116 said:

Hi everyone I was wondering for when the time comes what do you guys use to clean your pc and do I need to unplug the fans when I do this or just make sure the power is off any help would be appreciated , I put a pic of the case also to see which would work best for it 

Some Iso alcohol and paper towels. Don't need to unplug fans but make sure power is off.

[Itnozetr3]

Use a brush or a blower

[Dec0116]

2 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

When cleaning, I disassemble all parts, including fans.
I use compressed air, when blowing on fan, I stop the blades from spinning by holding the middle part of the fan.
Sometimes I use fine brush lightly to loosen some dusts that doesn't get removed by the blow of air.

Then I use a microfiber cloth to clean things like cables, connectors, or some surfaces like GPU backplate, fan blades. Sometimes combined with IPA if needed.

 

I'd use a compact air blower to save money from repeatedly buying compressed air, but they're expensive for really questionable quality & safety in my country.

Like a devac 500 or something are they safe for cleaning pc I am not very good with pcs mate lol I had to get mine built for me by a guy I know who builds them lol 

[Dec0116]

2 minutes ago, PcBeExpensive said:

Some Iso alcohol and paper towels. Don't need to unplug fans but make sure power is off.

Thanks mate 

[Poinkachu]

1 minute ago, Dec0116 said:

Like a devac 500 or something are they safe for cleaning pc I am not very good with pcs mate lol I had to get mine built for me by a guy I know who builds them lol 

Datavac, Lots of people uses it.
But I think I heard somewhere it's best to use it with a grounded outlet to prevent static buildup jumping to your parts.

 

Anyway if you use compressed air or air blower, just make sure you stop the fan from spinning.

[Dedayog]

3 minutes ago, Dec0116 said:

Like a devac 500 or something are they safe for cleaning pc I am not very good with pcs mate lol I had to get mine built for me by a guy I know who builds them lol 

Yes, it's safe.  U have used vacuums, blowers, rags, alcohol, etc.

 

Power off, unplug, all good.  They're not fragile, just don't leave things wet.  Air into fans is fine, they spin an won't break if you spin them backward even.  

 

Gotta get your fear of PC's conquered.

 

1 minute ago, Poinkachu said:

Datavac, Lots of people uses it.
But I think I heard somewhere it's best to use it with a grounded outlet to prevent static buildup jumping to your parts.

 

Anyway if you use compressed air or air blower, just make sure you stop the fan from spinning.

No you don't.  Fans aren't fragile, they can free spin without damage.

[PcBeExpensive]

12 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

Datavac, Lots of people uses it.
But I think I heard somewhere it's best to use it with a grounded outlet to prevent static buildup jumping to your parts.

 

Anyway if you use compressed air or air blower, just make sure you stop the fan from spinning.

Datavac is crazy expensive where I live atleast. I preffered compressed air.

[Crunchy Dragon]

13 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Yes, it's safe.  U have used vacuums, blowers, rags, alcohol, etc.

 

Power off, unplug, all good.  They're not fragile, just don't leave things wet.  Air into fans is fine, they spin an won't break if you spin them backward even.  

 

Gotta get your fear of PC's conquered.

 

No you don't.  Fans aren't fragile, they can free spin without damage.

The issue with spinning fans with compressed air isn't damaging the fan(although you shouldn't be running a fan higher than its max RPM anyway), but if the fan spins freely it can actually generate an electrical current which can cause issues elsewhere in your PC.

[Dec0116]

12 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

The issue with spinning fans with compressed air isn't damaging the fan(although you shouldn't be running a fan higher than its max RPM anyway), but if the fan spins freely it can actually generate an electrical current which can cause issues elsewhere in your PC.

Yeah I know lol it’s just dead expensive well least I have warranty lol so using a detavac is will be okay aslong as it’s all powered off do I need to tape the fans or will leaving them be fine yeah @Crunchy Dragon

[Dec0116]

12 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

The issue with spinning fans with compressed air isn't damaging the fan(although you shouldn't be running a fan higher than its max RPM anyway), but if the fan spins freely it can actually generate an electrical current which can cause issues elsewhere in your PC.

What would you recommend @Crunchy Dragon 

[manikyath]

12 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

but if the fan spins freely it can actually generate an electrical current which can cause issues elsewhere in your PC.

i've actually tested this, with a 600 watt datavac (basicly handheld vaccuum cleaner), on every fan i own. and the worst i got was a 40mm fan spinning so hard it was about ready to leave it's bearings... and it made like -0.5 volts, which clamped right to zero if i stuck a 1K resistor across it (to simulate what any sort of motherboard connection would do)

 

if you find any fans that do generate noteworthy power when you rev them with canned air, let me know, so i can avoid them because they are designed worse than a fan series that's literally called "xilence white box"... because they come in a white unbranded box.

 

on topic: i generally hold the fans by the hub to stop them from spinning up, but that's because any airflow going into spinning that fan isnt going into blowing dust off the blades.

 

beyond my trusty datavac (which.. dont buy them, they're overpriced as fuck, mine came out the box with rust. and a cardboard "seal" supposed to hold things airtight against a motor that literally gets burning hot in use.) i also have -the cheapest soft-bristle paintbrush at the local hardware store-.

and that's basicly what you need: something to create airflow to blow the loose stuff away, and something to grind off the stuff that stuck down. you could dust your computer with a bicycle pump if you feel especially green today.

[Dec0116]

38 minutes ago, manikyath said:

i've actually tested this, with a 600 watt datavac (basicly handheld vaccuum cleaner), on every fan i own. and the worst i got was a 40mm fan spinning so hard it was about ready to leave it's bearings... and it made like -0.5 volts, which clamped right to zero if i stuck a 1K resistor across it (to simulate what any sort of motherboard connection would do)

 

if you find any fans that do generate noteworthy power when you rev them with canned air, let me know, so i can avoid them because they are designed worse than a fan series that's literally called "xilence white box"... because they come in a white unbranded box.

 

on topic: i generally hold the fans by the hub to stop them from spinning up, but that's because any airflow going into spinning that fan isnt going into blowing dust off the blades.

 

beyond my trusty datavac (which.. dont buy them, they're overpriced as fuck, mine came out the box with rust. and a cardboard "seal" supposed to hold things airtight against a motor that literally gets burning hot in use.) i also have -the cheapest soft-bristle paintbrush at the local hardware store-.

and that's basicly what you need: something to create airflow to blow the loose stuff away, and something to grind off the stuff that stuck down. you could dust your computer with a bicycle pump if you feel especially green today.

So would you say avoid the devac 500 what else would you recommend in its place @manikyath

[thrasher_565]

1 hour ago, Poinkachu said:

Datavac, Lots of people uses it.
But I think I heard somewhere it's best to use it with a grounded outlet to prevent static buildup jumping to your parts.

 

Anyway if you use compressed air or air blower, just make sure you stop the fan from spinning.

i dont think it has a ground plug? just 2 prong.

[manikyath]

5 minutes ago, Dec0116 said:

So would you say avoid the devac 500 what else would you recommend in its place @manikyath

a paint brush. the extremely soft bristle ones.

 

last time i took my computer out for cleaning i just put it out in the wind because i couldnt be arsed to get an extension cord for the datavac. just brush the dust up and the wind carries it away to the neighbors.

 

as long as you arent cleaning out several computers per day, it's not worth the investment of a propper air blower, especially because you need the paint brush to get the dust loose either way.. so you may as well just not.

[Poinkachu]

33 minutes ago, thrasher_565 said:

i dont think it has a ground plug? just 2 prong.

Idk man, I never used one before. Too expensive for me

Not like the brand exist in my country anyway

I just heard that using these air blower to clean PC may build up static and that it can jump to the PC.

[thrasher_565]

6 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

Idk man, I never used one before. Too expensive for me

Not like the brand exist in my country anyway

I just heard that using these air blower to clean PC may build up static and that it can jump to the PC.

ya they use to be cheap... i spent like $80 on mine and im guessing there like $150+ now...  a cheap blow dryer could probably work.

 

ya could also be a myth too

[Dedayog]

9 hours ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

The issue with spinning fans with compressed air isn't damaging the fan(although you shouldn't be running a fan higher than its max RPM anyway), but if the fan spins freely it can actually generate an electrical current which can cause issues elsewhere in your PC.

I think you need a different motor that can covert the fan movement back to energy.  Standard fans shouldn't do this.

[Needfuldoer]

Just hold the fans still when you blow them off with compressed air.

[Ja Krispie]

I use a all purpose cleaner for the outside of the case to wipe it down. Glass cleaner for the class. Datavac for cleaning all the dust from inside the case and a detailing brush to help agitate dirt and dust where needed. Usually can get it all clean in about 10-15 minutes

[TetraSky]

Unless you're a heavy smoker, all you need to do is simply blow air in the system to remove the dust once in a while.
You need to prevent the fans from spinning, use a screw driver, put it in to stop the blades from spinning and blow away. For the PSU fan, same principle, but use a thick plastic tie wrap or something else that's insulated, you don't want to poke in there with metal.

Personally, what I do is typically pass a thin plastic/silicone tube(those re-usable straws) through all my fans and once they are all stopped, I blow away. That is all that is needed for me, since I don't smoke or vape or anything like that. I do that like once a year for the inside of the PC. I have dust filters on all intakes, so I clean those like every 2 months or so.

[Dec0116]

8 hours ago, TetraSky said:

Unless you're a heavy smoker, all you need to do is simply blow air in the system to remove the dust once in a while.
You need to prevent the fans from spinning, use a screw driver, put it in to stop the blades from spinning and blow away. For the PSU fan, same principle, but use a thick plastic tie wrap or something else that's insulated, you don't want to poke in there with metal.

Personally, what I do is typically pass a thin plastic/silicone tube(those re-usable straws) through all my fans and once they are all stopped, I blow away. That is all that is needed for me, since I don't smoke or vape or anything like that. I do that like once a year for the inside of the PC. I have dust filters on all intakes, so I clean those like every 2 months or so.

Do smoke a vape at times but it’s blown at the window or at the window stopped smoking at 19 for anyone here don’t start it lol worst thing ever cheers for the hep hair cleaned the dust filters there is with water letting them dry