Dust reduction

SixTwoSix · 4 Apr 2009 at 15:50

Hi there, first time in this section of the forums.

Just got a new system as in my spec but I hate the case (Coolermaster Elite 335 Case), it's small, runs too hot and the side panels vibrate and the noise drives me crazy.

My old system was running in an antec 900 gamers case and I loved it, quiet despite the multitude of fans and loads of room for air flow.

So basically just going to move the components from new system to old case, problem solved.

Well...I just dismantled the old system and the sheer amount of dust in the antec 900 case was surprising, despite having cleaned it all out just 3 months back, have checked the fans and there is no real filter to prevent dust, what can I use to reduce this, any easy ready made to buy solution or anything I can rig myself?

Also would like to replace the LED fans on the 900, the only thing I didn't like, what would be a good replacement?

Ben M · 4 Apr 2009 at 16:13

The cheapest solution for filtering is bits of tights

Either that or buying fan filters.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-001-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

^ they are very good fans, but pretty expensive. Cheaper and also pretty good are Yate Loons, but they are harder to source, and watch out for fakes.

MikeHunt79 · 4 Apr 2009 at 21:10

Have less case airflow is another option, my case is in a dusty room yet next to no dust gets in as it's only has 2 x 120mm fans running at 500RPM.

CPU and GFX = passive!

Ninja Please! · 4 Apr 2009 at 22:03

Smoking near your PC will also increase your dust build up. Not sure if you are a smoker or not...

Ninja Please! · 4 Apr 2009 at 22:47

Also if you all don't mind I would like to add that most dust comes from your carpet (I use to sell carpet, and kirby vaccuum cleaners). Typical vaccuums will not be powerful enough, nor have good enough filtration to really clean it out. If you have wood floors, obviously sweeping and mopping frequently will take the place of vaccuuming. The point is to get the dust completely out of your home, or as close as you can come. When you walk on your carpet it kicks up dust. That is truely the best way to keep the dust down, but probably not the answer you were looking for.

Yaka · 5 Apr 2009 at 15:11

ive been thinking on this topic recently as well. my genral use box is and atom based one with no fan been using it for a few months now no dust in side what so ever. i built an i7 based set up for gaming this jan in all i prolly use it 12 hours a week maybe less if i am over loaded with work. opened the bugger up on friday was shocked to find all the dust,

i had been recommended this http://www.mothercare.com/gp/produc...?ie=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=63559031&mcb=core been told it does well in combating dust tho its a tad expensive iam heavily thinking on getting that or some thing similar

MikeHunt79 · 5 Apr 2009 at 15:14

Ninja Please! said:
Also if you all don't mind I would like to add that most dust comes from your carpet (I use to sell carpet, and kirby vaccuum cleaners). Typical vaccuums will not be powerful enough, nor have good enough filtration to really clean it out. If you have wood floors, obviously sweeping and mopping frequently will take the place of vaccuuming. The point is to get the dust completely out of your home, or as close as you can come. When you walk on your carpet it kicks up dust. That is truely the best way to keep the dust down, but probably not the answer you were looking for.

We've recently taken up a carpet and put down wood floors, the amount of dust in the carpet is shocking!

Subliminal Aura · 5 Apr 2009 at 15:21

Yeah well keeping the house clean and tidy is a good idea.

Strangely I don't think that passive implies less dust.

Recently I did a cleanup of a few machines that I run 24/7 and the passive one was FILTHY ! (well some build up of dust anyway - enough to cause temp issues) When I opened the machine next to it expecting the same I was shocked - No dust at all or very little.

The difference was essentially good filters and excellent air flow through the second PC.

Get your fans in a decent push/pull configuration, cable management inside the case and a bit of scrubbing around in the house wouldn't go amiss either

setter · 5 Apr 2009 at 15:25

Yep carpets are terrible for dust, i recently lifted the carpet in my computer room and repaced it with wood effect vinyl (cheapskate lol), ive found that the dust build up in my case has been reduced signifigantly, and cleaning it is far easier now, quick blast or two with a can of compressed air is all it requires.

Ninja Please! · 5 Apr 2009 at 17:05

Also because of the carpet holding dust, the closer your pc sits to the floor, the worse your dust situation will be. that is why despite having a cramped desk, I have my pc right next to my monitor.

MikeHunt79 · 6 Apr 2009 at 00:03

Ninja Please! said:
Also because of the carpet holding dust, the closer your pc sits to the floor, the worse your dust situation will be. that is why despite having a cramped desk, I have my pc right next to my monitor.

Nice, my pc is 7ft from the ground so that might explain why it doesn't get dusty...

setter · 6 Apr 2009 at 00:13

Mine is on the ground, but dust isnt a big problem now.

My TRUE black gets a wee bit dusty now and again, but when ive gt no compressed air i take it out and run it below the shower on power setting and dry it out with a hair dryer. I may stick my case on my desk when i get another hole cut for cables and move the ugly crt tv out of the way.