How often do you clean your computer?

[Adhmuz]

Before and after Lans, as well as any major hardware upgrades. On average if none of the previous take place I would say 2-3 months.

Working at a computer sales/repair store I've seen some incredibly dirty systems, the ones that smell like ash trays are by far the worse. I find it hard not to laugh when someone asks me if that could be why their PSU stopped working, well the fan is seized and the rear exhaust is completely clogged with brown tar... I wounder. Makes me feel better about not smoking and fear for those who do.

 

[EXCellR8]

i vacuum out my vents once in awhile... my computer weighs like 80lbs so i usually don't lug it downstairs and outside to blow it out unless i have to do extensive work on it.

 

[nismo91]

i think once every 3-4 mths, when i have term-breaks. few yrs back i used to dismantle every part and clean it thoroughly. after knowing the hazard of statics discharge, i just vacuum it these days.

it doesnt cut it for my laptop, i have to open the maintenance cover and dismantle and brush the heatsink manually about twice a year. the vacuum couldn't reach the edges of the heatsink where it's not visible and dust are clogging there.

 

[Baronia]

I used to clean my PC once in couple of months!

 

[hahahanoobs]

Almost weekly. I can't stand a dirty PC. My case has a side window to show off my hardware, so leaving it covered in dust is not an option.

 

[abe10tiger]

Well, I always clean it... externally that is.

Internally? that's a different question

 

[Guest]

Air compressor just in the next room so I take that and set it to 40PSI.
Takes only about a min to clean, once a month.

 

[jarulezz]

I look into my PC quite a couple of times, but I only clean it like every 6 - 12 months. And to be honest, my PSU looked just the same when I opened it :S

 

[Benny26]

I look after my PC like it's a family member.

Around 4-6 month it gets a full strip down and clean....Just like old Grandad.

Nah, seriously, 4-6 month.

 

[captaincranky]

I look after my PC like it's a family member.

Around 4-6 month it gets a full strip down and clean....Just like old Grandad.

Nah, seriously, 4-6 month.

If Grandpa goes 4 to 6 months between cleanings. you might want to invest in a second hand pressure washer...... That'd probably shine 'em up real purty, even without cutting his clothes off...:haha:

 

[adamantell]

I clean my desk once a week keeping it junk free and dust free off my R. A. T. 7, G19, and glide 7.. hate dust and dirt my rig is watercooled so I need clean the dust out each 2-4weeks its in a lot filters I do aswell it only take 30m and I find small boost in proformace 1-2fps more all adds up

 

[bluto 2050]

Usually ~ six months on the daily driver, this one will be 6 mo old next mo . I wipe /dust the outside and case vents with microfiber frequently at least weekly or more often ,the KB and mouse daily .

I microfiber cloth dust the 27" PC screen and the 55" 4K HDR Sony TV and Sony ES 7.1 ch AVR in here maybe once a week or more often if needed .( more often than the HT configuration and TV out front )

Internal cleaning more often on the 650 watt PSU game box with extra fans and room heating GPU less frequently on the other less used stable mates and the HP elite book .

 

[bobson]

Not often but once a week I clean up my computer. But I am confused is this well enough? For you, what do you do?

 

[captaincranky]

Not often but once a week I clean up my computer. But I am confused is this well enough? For you, what do you do?

Well, it depends I suppose, on whether you're cleaning it out of necessity or vanity. I expect once a week is more than plenty for either.

Going beyond that, cleaning interval is going to depend on environmental factors, such as how hot or dusty is the room it's in? How much air you are sucking through it with the fans? Do the inlets have filters?

But one salient and primary reason to use short cleaning intervals, would be if you run the computer hard, as in constant gaming on high settings .

I have a low wattage i3 Ivy rig. (54 watt CPU), plus I don't game on it. I could probably , (and do), get away with cleaning it once every six months. It's very near a dusty a** cat litter box, so I vacuum out the inlet filter as soon as I see them start to get a bit gray. The CPU doesn't really run that much above ambient temps. So, the CPU HSF doesn't need to be blown out all that often.

Now if you've got a honkin' big 150 watt CPU, and run your games on high settings, then you might need to yank the sides off and blow it out every week or two.

If you're looking for a hard, fast, iron clad rule, sorry, I got nuttin'.

 

[bobson]

Thank you so much for your well guidance. I will abide by the rules and clean my PC whenever I am free. Thanks!

 

[Gracelyn Ellis]

I try to do it on a weekly basis or as often as needed when time permits.

 

[Bomkesh333]

I clean my computer every 3 days using CC Cleaner.

 

[GeforcerFX]

Every month on the 28th all the laptops I have used that month (usually only use 2 or 3 of my 4 every month) get's blown out. I repaste my main rig in December and the others when the temps start becoming unruly.

 

[LEDStripLights]

Clean up once a year

 

[EClyde]

Not often enough? A thorough clean...maybe 1x / year. Dusting out the obvious....about every two or 3 months. I used to do it way more but it doesn't matter.

 

[Linda]

When something goes wrong, lol. It always surprises me how much dust collects in there.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Computers need cleaning??

 

[grayson]

Whenever it's dirty. But generally once per month. I don't clean it too often.

 

[BrookeHarper]

Cleaning it once a month should do the trick but then again, it's a case-to-case-basis. The number of fans also determine whether or not you'll need to up your cleaning frequency to 2-3 times instead of once per month. More fans equal more air movement, equals more dust movement.

 

[BrookeHarper]

Computers need cleaning??

I used to be this guy. (y)(y)(y)