Dissambeled my pc just now and its looks very dusty.The gpu, fans mobo,cpu cooler heatsink has so much dust sitting on them.I also want to re-apply thermal paste on the cpu.How do I clean the already applied thermal paste? Don't have isopropyl alcohol.
In short, I want to get rid of the dust inside the pc without harming the components.
Do you have vaccum cleaner at home if yes use blower and make them clean
Yes I have a vacuum cleaner, but I am concerned that the hot air from the blower may damage the components.On the internet they recommend a can of compressed air, isopropyl alcohol etc to clean the components.Where can I get these?
AFAIK compressed air is that what is filled in scooters tyres.
u can get them from ebay.. but they aer expensive
If you have a spray bottle (coolin spray) lying around... empty it and get the lens cleaning fluid from any opttical shop. put it in the colin spray botal, use this to spray and weip the more sensitive parts, for others just usew the colin spray.. dont worry I have been using it for months, I seem to hav no probs.. and dont use compressed air/vacum cleener the air in that causes static and you whole PC will bcom short circuit....
If you cannot find isopropyl alcohol, go to a pharmacy and get a bottle of "doctor's spirit". Use it sparingly to soak a cotton wad and clean the TIM.
For the rest of the PC components, disassemble all parts --> use a soft brush to gently get rid of the dust, then give it a good rubdown with a dry microfibre cloth <-- for fan blades, use ear wax cleaning sticks (stick more cotton at the end of those if required).
For the cabinet, take out all components, sit the cabinet with side panels off in front of a table fan and put it on max speed - will get rid of a ton of dust. For the nooks and crannies (there will be many), use the brush and fibre cloth.
You will need lots of time and lots of patience - don't hurry it.
I am sure you know how to re-tim, but just in case you don't, google - there are lots of articles, videos out there (in fact, some on this forum as well I guess).
If you must use a vacuum cleaner, use a hand-held one (and not the bigger ones). Use more of the blower than the suction functions. Do not use on electronic components, use only on chassis, disk cages etc. After you are done with it, ground the cabinet to rid it of static shock.
If you can, do the cleaning during a highly humid time of the day.
Edit: Use a good quality brush, cheaper ones might leave behind their bristles on the pcb. Always check for these bristles and remove them before you re-assemble your stuff.
^ rubbing alcohol will do the cleaning job, but its not 99% pure (afaik). Get a bottle from mobile repair shops to stay safe.
^ rubbing alcohol will do the cleaning job, but its not 99% pure (afaik). Get a bottle from mobile repair shops to stay safe.
Ok, I will do the cleaning today.Will try to find isopropyl alcohol first as that's used commonly, if not I will use spirit.
How do I clean the back pcb of the graphics card, do I use a dry soft brush because cleaning with a cloth is a bit troublesome? Also what about the motherboard, , don't want to use any liquid as it may go inside the pcie and ram slots and may render them non-functional.
Tearing apart the gpu, I mean removing the shroud and the cooler to clean the pcb inside would be the best, but I don't exactly know the right way.Can sm1 guide me as how to do it?
Just get isopropyl alcohol from a medical store or call it surgical spirit. One has 70% and another has 90% alcohol. Problem with can of compressed air is that after few uses the can outlasts its usefulness. You can use anti-static brush and use something like this:
*i.imgur.com/fH6Z8im.jpg
Use a lint free cloth with the IPA. No cotton cloth or any lint cloth.
^^ Called MicroFibre Cloth.
@ OP
Get a air can from ITDEPOT. Really helpful and the hand pump as given in the pic. You will find that in a shop selling electronics goods. do not apply isopropyl directly, mix it with distill water.
^ why take so much headach? Clean with toothbrush and paintbrush and remove thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol.
