Cleaning graphics card?

Telebubbies · July 19, 2016

Hey guys! I have a MSI GTX 970, and as you know, all MSI cards have a very beefy heatsink. So anyway, I was wondering if compressed air can get the dust out of the heatsink? I read somewhere that it can actually destroy components, is this true?

If it is true, how can I clean the heatsink to decrease the GPU temps?

Hero7750 · July 19, 2016

Compressed air will be fine. Just use short bursts about 6 inches away and dont turn the can upside down.

Syntaxvgm · July 19, 2016

water

Im kidding

compressed air is fine, but keep this in mind-

It's dry air and cause static electricity. This can kill your card, though this is more of a problem in areas with less humidity. In indiana, I very rarely worry about this, but it can happen. If you like live anywhere where a swamp cooler is effective, reconsider.

The fan's plastic can break under pressure of the air if you are not careful

I've heard spinning the fan with the card off using the air I think can be bad as well, something about pretty much generating a current and sending it backwards, though I've never heard of a card dying from it.

Water actually is a way with a really dirty card- it just requires you to completely disassemble the card, clean the thermal paste off, take the heatsink and ONLY the heatsink (no fans, ect) and wash it, making sure it has completely dried before repasting your card and reattaching it.

Telebubbies · July 19, 2016

21 minutes ago, Syntaxvgm said:

water

Im kidding

compressed air is fine, but keep this in mind-

It's dry air and cause static electricity. This can kill your card, though this is more of a problem in areas with less humidity. In indiana, I very rarely worry about this, but it can happen. If you like live anywhere where a swamp cooler is effective, reconsider.

The fan's plastic can break under pressure of the air if you are not careful

I've heard spinning the fan with the card off using the air I think can be bad as well, something about pretty much generating a current and sending it backwards, though I've never heard of a card dying from it.

Water actually is a way with a really dirty card- it just requires you to completely disassemble the card, clean the thermal paste off, take the heatsink and ONLY the heatsink (no fans, ect) and wash it, making sure it has completely dried before repasting your card and reattaching it.

I am in Cape Town, South Africa. Our humidity like never goes below 60%. Is that still fine? I also live near the ocean and the air is "salty". Would it still be wise to use it?