How to/best way to clean inside of PC?

jamesy505 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:05

Title says it all, what is the best way to clean the inside of your PC?

Any must do's/ dont do's?

My son want help to clean the inside of his PC for the first time (bought beginning of May) so wondered best way to do it.

Thanks in advance

chroniclard · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:09

Take PC outside, strip bits off, blast with this. Also use it on fans, grills etc.

Generally will get rid of 90% of dust. Then can wipe away any left.

https://www.itdusters.com/product/compucleaner-xpert/?attribute_plug-option=UK

adrichardson81 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:18

Just avoid static and compressed air cans. A rocket blower should be enough for most things.

Chaos666 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:20

no everybody is comfortable with stripping bits off ..

it is the best way though i will admit..

If you just want to clean it without taking it apart use a gentle brush to loosen the dust and vacuum it
be careful and it should be fine.. it helps if your vacuum has an attachment with "hair"

chroniclard · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:22

By stripping bits off I mostly mean removing the sides and any grills/mesh rather than dismantling it all.

jamesy505 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:33

adrichardson81 said:
Just avoid static and compressed air cans. A rocket blower should be enough for most things.

Really, I though compressed air was what everybody used

jamesy505 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:34

chroniclard said:
By stripping bits off I mostly mean removing the sides and any grills/mesh rather than dismantling it all.

Yeah the PC was an Overclockers pre-built one so definitely wouldnt be stripping bits off.

I really looks to be the fan at the motherboard more that anything

adrichardson81 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:39

jamesy505 said:
Really, I though compressed air was what everybody used

Usually only once. I still have flashbacks to the time my dad decided to use it to clean the family computer. While it was powered on...

jamesy505 · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:48

adrichardson81 said:
Usually only once. I still have flashbacks to the time my dad decided to use it to clean the family computer. While it was powered on...

Lol didnt end well then?

wedrum · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:48

Jet wash

BUDFORCE · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:48

I just use a footpump for inflating a mattress.

Works a treat, soft brush in some of the stubborn areas can help also.

phrases · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:49

I use the same method with the hoover attachment pictured above. Have done it for years without issue. Just power off and unplug the pc - Let it be powered down for 5-10mins so any power can discharge itself. Then i just use a brush and hoover it out. Haven't had a single issue this way and i tend to clean my PC probably once every couple of months. However now i've got a 3D printer that thing kicks out some debris as dust so i've had to do it more regular.

ttaskmaster · 30 Oct 2020 at 14:54

I have a 100L compressor in the workshop. I use that, in conjunction with a soft ½" paintbrush.
Usually once a month, but I can sometimes get a little lazy.

EsaT · 30 Oct 2020 at 17:06

Chaos666 said:
If you just want to clean it without taking it apart use a gentle brush to loosen the dust and vacuum it
be careful and it should be fine..

Vacuum can be very effective ESD generator and can't be recommended.
Depending on humidity and type of dust static charges can fast build up high enough to literally shock you every few seconds.
Static charges are also reason why dust often sticks to outside of hose of vacuum cleaner.

Any guesses how well PC parts would react to this:
https://youtu.be/dReDNOBM34Q?t=20

Chaos666 · 30 Oct 2020 at 19:23

I used a vacuum myself countless times and I never had a problem

andy_mk3 · 30 Oct 2020 at 19:25

adrichardson81 said:
Just avoid static and compressed air cans. A rocket blower should be enough for most things.

Nothing wrong with the compressed air cans, just don't shake them or tip them while using it.

Chaos666 · 30 Oct 2020 at 19:29

computer hardware is not as fragile as people think

adrichardson81 · 30 Oct 2020 at 23:05

jamesy505 said:
Lol didnt end well then?

Ended with a bang and a new psu.

Deleted member 77746 · 30 Oct 2020 at 23:13

I put my parts in the washer and then the tumble dryer afterwards.

Once they come out the tumble dryer I hang them up on washing line. *

* Do not do this!

Chaos666 · 30 Oct 2020 at 23:56

often after extreme overclocking and using vaseline around the socket I would wash the board in hot soapy water and then try it..
of course you remove the battery and you have to be careful around the socket.. but its fine...