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Thread: What do you use to clean your PC?

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    What do you use to clean your PC?

    I had a look on the forums and read people saying they use a paint brush, dont think i will use that, and an Air Duster.On the web i seen a Nexus Computer Air Duster for £4.64, is this any good? could anyone recommend me one?

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    Get in the van. Fraz's Avatar
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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Why not just use a vacuum cleaner?

    Rocket science it's not.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Agreed. Any component that gets sucked up wasn't good enough quality to rely on in the first place

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Doesnt a vacuum cleaner create lots of static? I didnt think vacuum cleaners were suitable for cleaning pc's as they could damage components. Cans of compressed air are more suitable i think. If it is just for fans or unattached heatsinks, im sure the vacuum would be fine.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    i bought some compressed air from a local store (owner is a family friend) managed to get 300ml for £5 instead of £8 but its still expensive for what you get, managed to get 4 clean systems with it though, works well but short burst work best. Get the one from aria if its the one you looking at.
    Remember it will get freezing if you use it alot, i nearly got frostbite from it(seriously).
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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Quote Originally Posted by Flewis View Post
    Doesnt a vacuum cleaner create lots of static? I didnt think vacuum cleaners were suitable for cleaning pc's as they could damage components. Cans of compressed air are more suitable i think. If it is just for fans or unattached heatsinks, im sure the vacuum would be fine.
    I clean the inside of my PC regularly with a vacuum cleaner. I don't see why the nozzle should be come statically charged. I've certainly never had any problems.

    Also, compressed air just blows the dust around. A vacuum cleaner removes it altogether.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Surely compressed air simply disperses the dust which will regather in the nooks and crannies when the system is turned on again? Does it actually get rid of the dust inside the case?

    I just use a vacuum cleaner with the soft-brush tool attachment (in case I hit something inside the case!). I don't allow it to make contact with any of the components inside the case but just let it suck up the dust (if there is any). However, I do focus on the heatsink fins as these tend to get quite dusty.

    To be honest, most of the dust is collected by the dust filters in the case and the air inlet holes so the dust on these is just vacuumed off. Then the exterior of the case is cleaned with a Mr. Sheen wet-wipe.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    a good method for cleaning the heatsink would be getting a lint free cloth(or something that collects the dust) and shove it behind the fins of the heatsink and the spray the air at the front of it so its blown onto the cloth.
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    The best thing really is having dust filters on all your fans and a can of compressed air for this rare times its needed.

    I never clean out my case unless Im doing a new build. Using dust filters just removes the need to mess about, just wipe the filter clean in 2 seconds...

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Vacuum cleaner. Just turn the suction down if possible when you get to the delicate areas.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Compressed air. Take it outside and give it a blast. The dust goes completely unless you have absolutely zero hand-eye co-ordination.

    Important note: do not take outside if raining.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Air duster & a hoover - air duster to dislodge the dirt/dust and the hoover to remove it from the air

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Quote Originally Posted by GSte View Post

    Important note: do not take outside if raining.
    For similar reasons, don't use a pressure washer.
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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Hoover, just make sure you dont touch the motherboard with the nozzle

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    When I dedusted my PC the other day, a vacuum cleaner (aka a hoover) did bugger all to clear the dustcake in front of the 80mm HD fan. It has to be compressed air to dislodge all of it. I used the hoover to take the dust out of the air and held the plastic nozzle while I was hooked up to a wrist ground strap (look for videos of plastic petrol cans igniting due to static) .

    Does anyone know of a cheap (ideally electrical motor based) pump which can do as high a PSI as an air can? Or perhaps a recompressible air can!

    I don't really like using the cans of compressed air - they've been fine when I've used them, but I don't like that they have unknown "stuff" for the propellant.

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    Re: What do you use to clean your PC?

    Quote Originally Posted by smargh View Post

    I don't really like using the cans of compressed air - they've been fine when I've used them, but I don't like that they have unknown "stuff" for the propellant.
    The propellant is compressed air! (It is only when propelling a liquid that some other gas is used as a propellant - sometime butane as it has fairly high boiling point.

    My diving set is pressurised up to 232 bar (3000psi) but I think that might be a bit high!
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