Compressed air

[haveron]

My computer has got quite dusty and I need to clean out the cpu and gpu heatsinks so I am looking for a cheap and suitable can of compressed air that can be bought in the UK. I Have looked at a few butane cans but many of the reviews state that they spray out considerable amounts of butane which could be damaging to my computer. Any recommendations? Thanks

[Moby-Dick]

buy an air duster from maplins ?

[Digisword]

I once bought a can of compressed air for the very same purpose, but after testing it on my keyboard I never used it again. When I sprayed it huge amounts of liquid (probably butane) came out onto my keys. No way I was going to spray that on my components!

Air duster sounds like a better idea. Whatever you buy, test it before you spray your motherboard with it.

[haveron]

What is the difference between a can of compressed air and an air duster?

[Digisword]

Hmmm, seem to be the same thing. However, the air duster from maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/air-duster-25351) only contains 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane. I guess theres no butane there so shouldn't be a problem.

Air dusters usually contain compressed gases which are liquids inside the can. If you use it correctly, it should blow out a stream of air. I think mine must have been of poor quality (£2.50 at Lidl) so the liquid took a while to evaporate away.

[haveron]

Yes, the ones containing halogeno-alkanes don't have a liquid residue but they all seem to be so expensive, I don't really want to pay £10 for one can of air. Surely there must be a cheaper product that doesn't leave a liquid residue? :S

[Sputnik]

Long term it is cheaper to buy a small compressor. Which you can then use for others things too.

[haveron]

How much do those cost roughly and any recommendations on specific models? Thanks

[GoNz0]

buy a can of dust off from ebay, they last ages and are worth it.

[Digisword]

buy a can of dust off from ebay, they last ages and are worth it.

Well, I don't think buying a can of dust would help him much .

[Sputnik]

How much do those cost roughly and any recommendations on specific models? Thanks

You can get a small one for about £80 and you'll have it for years to come.

[GoNz0]

Well, I don't think buying a can of dust would help him much .

should have staying in school and you would have understood the sentence

http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/Com...=p3286.c0.m282

[pipTheGeek]

If you do use a compressor to clean a PC you need to be careful. Firstly the very high pressure could damage fans if you allow the fan to spin in the air stream. Secondly, the air is not always dry and can contain small amounts of water or oil.

Having said that, I do use my grandfathers compressor to clean stubborn stuff out. Although I normally have to clean the filter / water trap out first. And I normally don't use anything like full pressure.

[Guy]

I once bought a can of compressed air for the very same purpose, but after testing it on my keyboard I never used it again. When I sprayed it huge amounts of liquid (probably butane) came out onto my keys. No way I was going to spray that on my components!

Air duster sounds like a better idea. Whatever you buy, test it before you spray your motherboard with it.

Sounds like you were holding the can upside down or at an angle.

Hold it upright and no liquid type stuff will come out.

[peterb]

I had the same problem with dust last week while I was doing some work on my PC. I found that the nozzle from the vacuum cleaner worked wonders - PC case is now dust free. In fact that is all I have ever used on my PC case and components.

(Probably best not to let the nozzle touch any mobo components, but since all the fcomponents are interconnected, static build up on the nozzle shouldn't be a problem - it hasn't been for me.)

[g8ina]

Have you considered a rocket blower as used by photographers ?

The Giotto Rocket is only a few quid and never runs out. It's what I use for my cpu etc, followed by an ordinary vacuum cleaner.