Would you recommend dust filters?

[SixFeet]

Updating PC soon and been considering getting dust filters but been reading they can seriously resrict airflow. What's the truth with them, is that true? Would you guys recommend them for a mid-gaming build?

[ben1066]

I've not used them before and then I added them, stopped my PC temps going up over time and reduced the maintenance significantly. For their small cost it's well worth it IMO.

[SixFeet]

I've not used them before and then I added them, stopped my PC temps going up over time and reduced the maintenance significantly. For their small cost it's well worth it IMO.

Do you OC anything in your PC? Notice any restrictions in airflow or owt? Do you have to buy expensive ones for them to be any good or are cheap ones just the same?

[ben1066]

Currently I'm using fairly cheap magnetic ones and they work alright for me. I've mildly overclocked my CPU and my GPU is stock OC'd and they run with decent temperatures. You're obviously going to loose some airflow, but its not going to be any worse than the mesh on the case for example.

[deejayburnout]

Filters are a must.

Only started using them and was surprised how much crap they collected.

My case came with some stupid foam for filters and it filtered everything but case had poor airflow. Managed to get some good filter material from work ( Hvac filters ) and they do a brillant job of filtering yet keeping good airflow.

Dust is your enemy and the less in your machine the better.

If you can, get them. Ones that can be cleaned via removable parts are better. Clean every week to keep on top of it.

Brap Brap

[leonc]

My experience is if you clean it regularly it's worth getting one. Otherwise you will see dust, hairs etc stuck in the small holes ... and reduced airflow

[SixFeet]

Thanks for info guys. Just wondering if there's anything to look for in selection? Will the ones on scan for a couple of quid suffice or what?

[Macadee]

Definately worthwhile if your PC is on or near floor level, especially near carpet.

Easier to clean a few filters regularly than the entire inside case and all components.

[Macadee]

Thanks for info guys. Just wondering if there's anything to look for in selection? Will the ones on scan for a couple of quid suffice or what?

Need to look at how they will attach, you don't really want to be removing fans each time to clean the filters.

I have some Akasa alu mesh ones that fit under the face bezel of my case.

What case do you have?

[vettieboo]

I would agree with checking placement, I made sure that any I got fit over the fans so that i could wipe them down without removing the whole setup.

After using these filters I don't think I'd go back to my old setup - the dust is barely an issue now and the computer runs very cold. Great idea.

[SixFeet]

Need to look at how they will attach, you don't really want to be removing fans each time to clean the filters.

I have some Akasa alu mesh ones that fit under the face bezel of my case.

What case do you have?

Haven't bought the case or anything yet but will do over the coming week so i'll post it up when I know what I have to see. Thanks for all your opinions guys.

[Macadee]

That makes it easier then, most decent branded cases have filters fitted nowadays.

[Pob255]

You've got two basic types of filter, screen and foam
The amount of air restriction and filter ability depends greatly on the filter and the materials used.

Generally speaking most screen filters don't catch as much dust but have less air restriction.
- The most common screen filters are made from a sheet of woven man-made fibre mesh (nylon or polyester are most common) this is heat treated to fuse it turning it from a woven material into a single continuous mesh, this is ether glued or melted onto a plastic frame.
- Next is the woven wire mesh this uses a fine woven wire mesh fitted into a simple metal frame that folded over to hold the mesh in place, many wire mesh filters are not flat but corrugated, this can be done with wire but not fibre due to wire being more stiff and able to hold the shape, the advantages this has it it increases the surface area which reduces air restriction esp as dust and fluff build up on the filter.
- The 3rd type which I've been seeing recently, in cases not individual fan filters, is a thin sheet of plastic with holes punched into it, these are generally the worst type because of the large holes that are common on this type of filter, I recently cleaned out the filter on my HAF 912+ which is this type, it caught some dust and the vast majority of fluff and cat hair, but there was still a lot of fine powdery dust inside my pc, I'd rather have this over no filter but it on my list of things to replace/improve.

A special note needs to go here for Demciflex filters, this is a brand of screen filter http://www.demcifilter.com/ what they use is a very fine medical grade mesh these are some of the best filters you can get in terms of dust catching and beat most common foam filters.

Foam Filters, generally they catch more dust, esp the fine stuff that the common screen filters don't do so well on, however the down sides is they tend to be slightly more air flow restrictive (does depend on the density of the foam) but more importantly they are more complex to clean and the foam is far easier to damage, esp when cleaning.
A screen filter just needs to be removed and wiped or brushed off (a dry paint brush works great for this) you'll generally spend longer removing and refitting the filter than you will cleaning it.
However a foam filter needs to be washed to properly clean it because most of the dust is trapped inside, you'll want to soak and gently squeeze out the foam 2 or 3 times (be careful not to tare it) then you want to press it dry in between a towel or paper towel to remove to worst of the liquid and finally you should leave it some ware warm and dry to fully dry out before replacing it. You shouldn't put it back into a pc or other electrical device while still damp.
Foam filters are a commonly used cheap option case manufactures use in filtered mesh fronted bezels and 5.25" bay covers.

On to actual shop bought filters
woven wire screen filter
Akasa http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...ium-fan-filter I've not used these exact ones, from the images the wire mesh looks good nice and fine wire and small holes should be good.
However you can get other ones cheaper, which are also corrugated to improve surface area http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-12014.html I'm using one of these atm for the money they are great.

fibre mesh screen filter
The basic silverstone filter http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...an-top-product a really nice basic and cheap filter, while I'm not personally using one atm I've used them on another couple of builds they do a good job and they actually look pretty good if the filter is going to be exposed. the silverstone logo in the middle doesn't really have any impact on the air flow as it's over the fan hub where there's no air flow anyway.
The new silverstone filter http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...er-with-magnet this is going to perform pretty much as well as the other silverstone filter, the key difference is the magnets and the looks.
If you're going to be sticking this to a steel case this will work great, make it very easy to fit and remove for cleaning. if you plan to use it on an aluminium case of plastic bezel you're going to have problems, the magnets might hold it to the fan screws, but I doubt it as they are not over the screw holes.
The other thing is that I don't think these look as nice as silverstone other basic filter.

Demciflex filters, these are not cheap, however they are very high grade, they are held on by magnets only, they have no screw holes, to get around the non-steel case issue, they also include stick on metal strips, ie you stick the strip onto the case so you can then attact the filter to the strip via the magnets.
They also make custom filters not just a fan sized filter, eg they do HAF 932 kits which includes a filter for every vent in the HAF 932, but they also make custom shapes so all you need to do is send them the dimensions and shape of the vent and they'll make you a filter specifically for it.

[isabella]

Filters makes it easier to clean! They can be had for a few quids, why not?

[CakeBoy]

The ones we had in our last tower worked well and certainly prevented loads of dust entering the system. In fact, a friend with a very similar tower found loads of muck in his when he opened it and eventually bought filters as well. We did not notice any temp again. I have seen dust build-up cause temp issues in extreme cases.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Pob's knowledge of case and fan technology,never fails to amaze me!