Clearning of GPU without backplate

[Emillionaire]

My graphics card, The MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr edition has been collecting a bit of dust on the top. It doesent have a backplate, and therefore the PCB is completely exposed to the dust. 
I wish to remove the dust, but i am afraid to damage something in the process. I have tried blowing the dust away, with a hair dryer with cold air but without any change. 

Any tips? Thx. 
Please only answers based on knowledge/experience. 

Picture of the graphics card included in the spoiler. 

 

 

 

 

[suchamoneypit]

some compressed air should do it, although don't get too close or the high pressure could knock off components.

[ThinkWithPortals]

A can of compressed air (you can normally get these from DIY or hardware stores) and a soft brush. I personally prefer to use either a small paintbrush or a makeup blush brush. Basically anything soft and smallish.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, L0gic said:

My graphics card, The MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr edition has been collecting a bit of dust on the top. It doesent have a backplate, and therefore the PCB is completely exposed to the dust. 
I wish to remove the dust, but i am afraid to damage something in the process. I have tried blowing the dust away, with a hair dryer with cold air but without any change. 

Any tips? Thx. 
Please only answers based on knowledge/experience. 

Picture of the graphics card included in the spoiler. 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

Compressed air is the way to go. Just hold it upright so as that there is no water vapour, get that on the pcb i believe can be an issue.

[Emillionaire]

1 minute ago, suchamoneypit said:

some compressed air should do it, although don't get too close or the high pressure could knock off components.

I have tried blowing it away with a hair dryer with cold air, but that did not change anything. 

I dont think using compressed air will be diffrent. Also the only compressed air that i can buy, is in some kind of "liquid form" which results in a bit of water coming out with it. 
I think i have to "wipe it of" somehow..

[Guest]

1 minute ago, L0gic said:

I have tried blowing it away with a hair dryer with cold air, but that did not change anything. 

I dont think using compressed air will be diffrent. Also the only compressed air that i can buy, is in some kind of "liquid form" which results in a bit of water coming out with it. 
I think i have to "wipe it of" somehow..

You can get anti static brushes, the hair dryer doesnt have the power of the compressed air can.

[ThinkWithPortals]

1 minute ago, L0gic said:

I have tried blowing it away with a hair dryer with cold air, but that did not change anything. 

I dont think using compressed air will be diffrent. Also the only compressed air that i can buy, is in some kind of "liquid form" which results in a bit of water coming out with it. 
I think i have to "wipe it of" somehow..

Compressed air cans can produce much stronger jets of air than a hairdryer. It will work.

And they only produce water if you spray them whilst the can is sideways or upside-down. If you hold it upright you will have no problems.

[GirlFromYonder]

7 minutes ago, L0gic said:

My graphics card, The MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr edition has been collecting a bit of dust on the top. It doesent have a backplate, and therefore the PCB is completely exposed to the dust. 
I wish to remove the dust, but i am afraid to damage something in the process. I have tried blowing the dust away, with a hair dryer with cold air but without any change. 

Any tips? Thx. 
Please only answers based on knowledge/experience. 

Picture of the graphics card included in the spoiler. 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

i use a paint brush

[suchamoneypit]

7 minutes ago, L0gic said:

I have tried blowing it away with a hair dryer with cold air, but that did not change anything. 

I dont think using compressed air will be diffrent. Also the only compressed air that i can buy, is in some kind of "liquid form" which results in a bit of water coming out with it. 
I think i have to "wipe it of" somehow..

Compressed air is a more focused pressure point, a hair dryer is a wide surface area, it will not move any really stuck on dust.

 

The guy who said use a soft brush with compressed air; thats how you get it cleaned good.

 

All compressed air comes with a liquid , its a propellant. If you don't hold the can upright, this propellant will come out with the air still in liquid form.

[Emillionaire]

2 minutes ago, ThinkWithPortals said:

Compressed air cans can produce much stronger jets of air than a hairdryer. It will work.

And they only produce water if you spray them whilst the can is sideways or upside-down. If you hold it upright you will have no problems.

I will look into it then.
Compressed air is quite expensive though.

 

 @huilun02's seems like a great suggestion on the cheap.
 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, L0gic said:

I will look into it then.
Compressed air is quite expensive though.

 

 @huilun02's seems like a great suggestion on the cheap.
 

I bought some off of amazon for cheap price, just read reviews before you buy. Than again air is air right?

[Emillionaire]

7 minutes ago, Powis21 said:

I bought some off of amazon for cheap price, just read reviews before you buy. Than again air is air right?

The cheapest ones i can find here in Denmark, is 119 DKK. (~11,9£)
With no/bad reviews of the product. Being on a student budget, i would prefer to save that money.

We do not have amazon here in Denmark,

but i think i might be able to order from the UK and get it shipped.
Do you have a link from where you bought it?
 

[Emillionaire]

1 minute ago, huilun02 said:

Its what I use. Once all the dust comes loose you can just blow it off.

Also a hair brush does well to clean between the heatsink fins if you ever take it off the card.

 

If you need compressed air get this one, it lasts forever;

 

I don't think the world has become desperate enough to be worth paying for air.

I have a similar thing. 
But its also not strong enough.

[Mick Naughty]

Old tooth brush. Also save up and get like a $40 compressor from harbor freight. Cheaper then buying the cans.

[Emillionaire]

3 minutes ago, Mick Naughty said:

Old tooth brush. Also save up and get like a $40 compressor from harbor freight. Cheaper then buying the cans.

Being European, i dont have a "harbor freight"
But, my father has a real compressor. 
But i think the pressure is to strong on it.

My plan is currently to buy a cheap toothbrush next time i'm in town.   

 

[Mick Naughty]

1 minute ago, L0gic said:

Being European, i dont have a "harbor freight"
But, my father has a real compressor. 
But i think the pressure is to strong on it.

My plan is currently to buy a cheap toothbrush next time i'm in town.   

 

Well I'm sure you have hardware stores somewhere, or the internet. Also they have pressure regulators. If there's dust build up on the card, its everywhere else too.

[Emillionaire]

1 minute ago, Mick Naughty said:

Well I'm sure you have hardware stores somewhere, or the internet. Also they have pressure regulators. If there's dust build up on the card, its everywhere else too.

I will try to find one. 
Thx for the help.