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Cleaning Pc Question

WyvernAbstracts
By WyvernAbstracts
in Power Supplies
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Posted

Didn't know where to put this thread so Ima throw it over here.
Just a question about cleaning the dust out of computers, is it a bad idea to use air compressors, because my friend said they spew moisture and could ruin your hardware. Is it best sticking with air in a can? 

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No, you can go crazy with them and it's fine, just hold fans down. Air in a can is has more probability of spraying liquid out than an air compressor.

If the compressor is lubricated by oil, there is a fair chance that it will be spewing a bit of oil.

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The issue with air compressors is the high output pressure. You have the probability of damaging electrical components (i.e. high pressure air blowing capacitors off), and damaging fans. That said, if you adjust the compressor, and reduce the output pressure to a reasonable level, you should be perfectly fine -- you don't need 30+ PSI to blow out dust. It's not like you're trying to kill a dust demon...or go Ghost Busters mode on your PC.

 

As @AlwaysFSX mentioned, just hold the fans and prevent them from rotating if you are cleaning them off.

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The issue with air compressors is the high output pressure. You have the probability of damaging electrical components (i.e. high pressure air blowing capacitors off), and damaging fans. That said, if you adjust the compressor, and reduce the output pressure to a reasonable level, you should be perfectly fine -- you don't need 30+ PSI to blow out dust. It's not like you're trying to kill a dust demon...or go Ghost Busters mode on your PC.

As @AlwaysFSX mentioned, just hold the fans and prevent them from rotating if you are cleaning them off.

holding fans so they don't move will ensure they won't go to the graveyard am I right?

My Little Gaming Rig:

CPU: FX 8320 | MOBO: Gigabyte 970A-D3P | RAM: G.Skill Ares 2x4GB | GPU: Sapphire Dual-X R9 270X | Storage: Seagate SSHD 1TB | Case: Corsair 200R | PSU: CM 550W V-Series

Upgrades to come: CPU FAN: Corsair H100i | RAM: 2 more 4GB sticks | GPU: Another R9 270X running in crossfire | Storage: Samsung 120GB SSD | PSU: Corsair 800w

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air cans can spray liquid so I wouldnt use those. apart from that compressed air or a vacuum cleaner are fine just make sure to

1. hold the fans so they dont counter- or overspin or create an electrical current flowing back to the board

2. take your distance so you dont create too much pressure on the components since they can be blown off by that and most importantly the air would create friction which also causes an electrical current flowing through your components.

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