Is it safe?

[luis_6143]

Is it safe to use a vacuum machine to clean my PC, if yes blow or suck those dusts?

[Godlygamer23]

Vacuum cleaners can generate static electricity which can kill components(like the CPU or onboard controllers), or damage them that will affect lifespan down the line. That being said, you can get ESD vacuum cleaners that connect to ground to prevent static electricity from getting to the components.

 

One other thing to consider is how hard the vacuum cleaner is blowing or pulling. If it's too hard in either direction, you can pull soldered components from the board.

Edited August 16, 2016 by Godlygamer23
Terminology correction.

[Verrierr]

One more guy who overreacts. It's FINE! Doesn't matter if you blow or suck as long as you're not mashing your hardware.

[luis_6143]

1 minute ago, Godlygamer23 said:

Vacuum cleaners can generate static electricity which can kill components(like the CPU or onboard controllers), or damage them that will affect lifespan down the line. That being said, you can get ESD vacuum cleaners that connect to ground to prevent static electricity from getting to the components.

 

One other thing to consider is how hard the vacuum cleaner is blowing or pushing. If it's too hard in either direction, you can pull soldered components from the board.

Better buy a can of compressed air. Can you suggest something to clean my PC sir?

[TheRandomness]

5 minutes ago, luis_6143 said:

Better buy a can of compressed air. Can you suggest something to clean my PC sir?

You've already answered your own question. 

[Godlygamer23]

Just now, luis_6143 said:

Better buy a can of compressed air. Can you suggest something to clean my PC sir?

I typically use "compressed air" to clean my PC.

[manikyath]

I generally use "difluorethane" to clean my pc.

 

For those that like normal words: pc duster.

[TetraSky]

If you frequently need to clean off your PCs as well as others, I could also suggest this thing
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599911-REG/METRO_DataVac_ED_500_DataVac_Electric_Duster_Model.html
It's cheaper in the long run compared to buying cans of air. But that's really only if you need to clean more than a single PC once every 6 months. Otherwise not really worth it.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

20 minutes ago, Verrierr said:

One more guy who overreacts. It's FINE! Doesn't matter if you blow or suck as long as you're not mashing your hardware.

You're so very, very wrong. People are not warning against vacuum cleaning your PC without reason. You may have had good luck with it, but over the years it has taken the life of a lot of good hardware. Why even risk it when canned air is so readily available?

[Redfern]

A vacuum is fine for cleaning things like fans or fan filters, its great for filters, just when cleaning the fans make sure to hold the fan in place as if it spins alot it can damage the motors, just as a caution. If I was you for everything else use compressed air, its like £1 for a can

[manikyath]

2 minutes ago, Redfern said:

A vacuum is fine for cleaning things like fans or fan filters, its great for filters, just when cleaning the fans make sure to hold the fan in place as if it spins alot it can damage the motors, just as a caution. If I was you for everything else use compressed air, its like £1 for a can

You know, i actually recommend against vaccuuming your fan filter.

Because dust sticks to dust, having your fan filter be "a bit cruddy" but not "nasty" to the point it impedes airflow helps make the fan filter more effective.

 

Try it for yourself if you dont believe me

[Redfern]

Just now, manikyath said:

You know, i actually recommend against vaccuuming your fan filter.

Because dust sticks to dust, having your fan filter be "a bit cruddy" but not "nasty" to the point it impedes airflow helps make the fan filter more effective.

 

Try it for yourself if you dont believe me

Will do, thanks for the tip

[Jack Kaye Pc Gamer]

3 minutes ago, manikyath said:

You know, i actually recommend against vaccuuming your fan filter.

Because dust sticks to dust, having your fan filter be "a bit cruddy" but not "nasty" to the point it impedes airflow helps make the fan filter more effective.

 

Try it for yourself if you dont believe me

But at the same time more dust will restrict proper air flow, probably wont be noticeable temps wise but just a thought

[manikyath]

Just now, Redfern said:

Will do, thanks for the tip

Another tip:

You need a serious vaccuum cleaner to damage fan bearings, and you basicly cant damage the motor itself, nor the electronics.

 

The type of motor used in modern fans is a very, very bad generator, and to damage the bearings you'd have to spin up the fan dramatically faster than it was designed for. (Which is harder than you'd think.)

[manikyath]

6 minutes ago, Jack Kaye Pc Gamer said:

But at the same time more dust will restrict proper air flow, probably wont be noticeable temps wise but just a thought

Well, the trick is to leave as little dust as possible, while still having "dust circles" on the filter.

[ThomasD]

Using a vacuum cleaner is perfectly safe if you ground the tip of the nozzle.  If the nozzle is grounded then no static charge can build.  No built static charge means no damaging discharge can occur.

 

Easiest way to do this is use a metal tip, with a length of wire attached, and attach the other end to the chassis or PSU of the computer you are cleaning (an alligator clip works nice for this.)  Doesn't have to be fancy, just has to be in electrical continuity with ground (best to verify this with a multimeter.)

 

Lastly, do not unplug the chassis from the wall while you are doing this because that is your Earth bond ensuring everything is safely grounded.

[spaynton]

I've just used compressed air and if it's a really nasty pc a combination of having a vacuum going sucking in the air near the pc and using compressed air to blast dust towards the vacuum, or just take it outside for the initial cleaning of heavy buildup.

 

I've never needed to actually vacuum out any of my PC's. Always run filters over inlets and run positive case pressure. This prevents a ton of dust build-up. Also, I take my fan filters off once a month (or more if windows in house have been open) and rinse them out under the tap and dry them. They look like brand new after.

[Godlygamer23]

On 8/16/2016 at 6:15 AM, Verrierr said:

One more guy who overreacts. It's FINE! Doesn't matter if you blow or suck as long as you're not mashing your hardware.

Static electricity can kill electrical components. Especially since components are becoming smaller and smaller, they will become ever more sensitive to high voltage sources, such as static electricity.