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Weekend Open Forum: How often do you clean your computer?
As the resident “computer guy” for friends and family, it goes without saying that I’ve seen my fair share of PCs over the past 10 years or so. The majority of systems that find their way to me require a simple virus or malware scan to rectify the situation but every now and again I come across a computer that simply needs to be physically cleaned out with compressed air.
The attached photo shows the inside of a power supply in a system someone brought over several years ago. The owner told me that the system would blue screen after being powered on for a few minutes. Upon removing the side panel to have a look inside, I noticed the heatsink fan wasn’t spinning – it was so clogged with dust / dirt / nicotine tar that it had seized up.
Working on neglected computers like this serves as a good reminder that it’s probably time to check on the hardware in my own system. Years ago before I had a dedicated system for component testing, I was tinkering with hardware in my system every other week so dust was not an issue. But now that I rarely open my work system, it’s certainly something I’m more aware of.
With this week’s Weekend Open Forum, we want to know how often you crack open your desktop chassis to give your hardware a good once-over with some compressed air. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments below!
User Comments: 85
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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.
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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.
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I used to clean my PC once in couple of months!
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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.
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Well, I always clean it... externally that is.
Internally? that's a different question
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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.
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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
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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.
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I look after my PC like it's a family member.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...
Around 4-6 month it gets a full strip down and clean....Just like old Grandad.
Nah, seriously, 4-6 month.
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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
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