clean those heatsinks!

[ColtIce]

well summer is here and it's as warm as ever.i have a/c but i still noticed my cpu temps weren't that great 42-43 idle 47-50 full load.now this is with a volcano 6cu on 1700 pally@1600(11x145).so today i decide to clean my hsf.WOW!now I'm at 36 idle not sure of load yet but still this is a 6-7 degree drop and my antec reference has NOT EVEN setup yet!well anyway i just wanted to share this with you all and remind everyone to clean those heatsinks.

[Maxwell Murder]

Ahh, My case needs a good dusting any ways. Do that tommorow. Thx for the advice

[/\\/3|2o]

let me say that it is ESSENTIAL to clean off and slk-xxx or sk-x. these things collect dust like crazy and it will drop temps quite significantly.

[stan03]

how did you do it? compressed air?

[ColtIce]

i didn't have any compressed air. i just took it off the mobo took the fan off and used a butter knife and my lungs.lol at myself i know this sounds ghetto but it worked.my rig is ghetto fabulous anyway

[JDXNC]

I know this all too well, I fix computers for people in my town... and you would be surprised how many people have problems from HSF's getting clogged up with dust. While your at it, clean out your AC filter.... they work much better when they are clean as well!

[z1bluecat]

I use an all purpose tire air pump for the task - 125 psi and take the nozzle off and I blast away. Dust Is The Enemy!

[Maxwell Murder]

My dad has a 165 PSI Air Compressor, would this dmg the computer?

[macklin01]

It would probably best to physically remove the HS and work on outside of the case, regardless of the PSI. Doing this kind of work on a mounted heatsink is only asking for trouble.

(And thanks for the cleaning reminder, BTW. ;) ) -- Paul

[Ffats]

I use a 90 PSI air compressor, and it doesn't damage the components. You could use your 165, however I wouldn't get any closer than a foot to any one thing just to be on the safe side.

You'll probably have to splurge for some canned air for those tight spaces.

[/\\/3|2o]

the only thing you have to watch out for in air compressors is moisture. I clean mine with water. I just put it under the faucet and wash away. While im at it, i always grab a piece of 600 grain paper and lap it again.

[Lord_Zoltan]

"canned air"

do those work well?

[macklin01]

Actually, canned air works fairly well. It won't get everything, but it does a fairly good job, considering. At some point, though, you'll need to actually soak 'n' scrub to get everything off. -- Paul

[YviE]

Yes I always use canned air. It's kinda expensive. if you need to clean out your whole case, you'll need more than one! eheh

[macklin01]

For that, I like a combination of canned air and a vaccuum cleaner. Hold the vacuum cleaner hose attachment at a distance away from the case to suck away the dust that's blown up by the canned air. Again, I wouldn't get the vaccuum TOO close to the case. ;) -- Paul

[amdperson]

Why dont you just use a soft brissle paintbrush (must be clean). Works perfect for me. Just my 2cents

[macklin01]

That would work quite well on the heatsink. Good post! -- Paul

[7h3r4py]

I was thinking about doing this because I can see lots of dust in my heatsink but I was wondering if I can just take off the fan and unclip the heatsink and clean it then put it all back together again or would I need to get some thermal grease to apply when I put it all back?

[macklin01]

You'll definitely want to reapply your thermal grease, too. Actually, it's a good opportunity to really clean up the base of the h.s. and processor, too. (I would use isopropyl alcohol for those.)

-- Paul

[amdperson]

Its best to reaply thermal grease after removing the heatsink. You dont want to fry the cpu do you

[7h3r4py]

Yeah but I don't wanna spend money lol

[Gage8]

speaking of dust, i was looking around for a good filter to cover my intake fans. At wallymart I came across a arm&hammer elite air filter w/ electrostatically charged fibers to attract dust. The filter was only $3.99 :)

First i'm going to clean out my case, add a blow hole w/120mm fan on the top of case, and then install cut this filter up to cover all of my intake fans.

Hopefully this will help my dust problem.

Gage

[Nanidin]

I used a leaf blower to undust my entire computer... worked pretty good, I could tell because the whole room was filled with the stuff :)

[arnoldma]

i use a paint brush, it can't be too hard because it might damage things, nor too soft cuz it just simply wont do the job, and it works great on those SLK heatsinks, also to clean out mobo and other things, use the paint brush and a vaccum brush and suck is the way to go :D

[NiTrO bOiE]

:Starts his leaf blower:

Getting ready to clean my now.

[ColtIce]

Originally posted by macklin01
You'll definitely want to reapply your thermal grease, too. Actually, it's a good opportunity to really clean up the base of the h.s. and processor, too. (I would use isopropyl alcohol for those.)

-- Paul
i start with fingernail polish remover and finish up with alcohol.

[Nanidin]

Originally posted by NiTrO bOiE
:Starts his leaf blower:

Getting ready to clean my now.

There ya go, another man with the sense to clean his computer right :D

[Ravsitar]

A couple weeks ago I was installing a new cd burner into a relatives computer. IT's a hp p4/celron toy. But it's enough for them. I opened up the case and started sneezing. THe whole damn thing was filled with dust. There was so much dust the processor fan was barely spining. Being the perfictionist that I am I couldn't leave it like that (hell if it died I'd have to fix the damn thing). I pulled everything off the motherboard and used my uncles air compressor to clean it off. Had to take a brush and water to the heatsink to get it clean. I should look in mine and see how bad it is. I did it a month ago with a cd burner upgrade.

[Nanidin]

Do air filters actually help dust from getting into your case?

[Lord_Zoltan]

Originally posted by Nanidin
Do air filters actually help dust from getting into your case?
my antec sonata one does. **** that reminds me time to clean that beast out :cool:

[Nanidin]

Good, wanted to make sure those filters weren't just restricting air flow.

[Ventrue]

Didn't want to pay anymore on aire filter so i decided to use the old scrotchbite as my air filter! bought a 6 pack for $1 and it's working perfectly. No prob with my air flow and i bet the dust will find it hard time passing those scrubbers!