cleaning my x1900xtx

[bakes0310]

just had a message popup in mid game saying that my graphics card has reached a high temp and that its clocked my card down a bit to help. It also tells me to check to see that fans are still working, which they are. But its the heatsink thing its thick with dust, what would you recommend for me to clean it with, without having to take the heatsink off?

cheers

 

[killer_uk]

Compressed air. I use an air compressor, but you can get cans of the stuff if you really want to buy air.

 

[squiffy]

A hair dryer in cold mode will do.

 

[bakes0310]

Compressed air. I use an air compressor, but you can get cans of the stuff if you really want to buy air.

dont have any?
would a vacuum cleaner be any good and how would you use it safetly so it wont cause static.

 

[killer_uk]

Ah right, well it's something to think about for next time. As for vacuum cleaners, I've never used one for cleaning my PC so I can't really help there.

I've heard of some people using a soft paint brush to clean their components with.

 

[bakes0310]

A hair dryer in cold mode will do.

ill try that way then

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Id avoid using a vacuum cleaner, the amount of static they put out could kill it.

 

[El Jimben]

Just get access to the fan by unscrewing the 3 small screws and give the fan a good old clean. The heatsink near where the cool air gets sucked in tends to get pretty gunky too so that'll need a bit of clean probably.