Cleaning dust off of a HSF

Fuzzbeaner

Member

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Joined

Nov 27, 2002

• Aug 23, 2003

• #1

Hey, I have this microfinned cooler, which is now healthily covered in dust all over. How do I get it off? I can't get a paper towel or anything in there. Does compressed air work on microfins?


Thanks,

-Jeff

 

G

Graphic67

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Joined

Jun 13, 2003

Location

Raleigh, NC

• Aug 23, 2003

• #2

Compressed air will work fine as long as the dust has not been contaminated with anything oily or damp which would make it sticky (Also, a heavy smoker in the area would cause some difficulty in cleaning with air as well.)

 

L337 M33P

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Joined

Jun 5, 2003

Location

TEH INTERNETS

• Aug 23, 2003

• #3

You could try the dishwasher with a non-caustic detergent if it doesn't want to come off. The base will probably require re-finishing after that as washing it isn't going to do it much good.

 

dagamore

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Joined

Dec 27, 2002

• Aug 23, 2003

• #4

Canned air should be enough, but if not, you could use a tooth brush on it gently, and it should get out the stuborn dust. most of my light computer dusting i do with a soft 3 inch paint brush anyways. canned air gets expensive.

 

DAGO

Curmudgeon

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Joined

Aug 27, 2001

Location

Chico CA

• Aug 24, 2003

• #5

For a really funky Heatsink, I always use a pipecleaner with some rubbing alcohol to clean the fins of any greasy residue that may accumulate. The pipecleaners are pretty thin, and squash down to fit almost any opening...
I always remove the HSF for cleaning, but you could leave in on the CPU so long as you are careful...beware of the metal core of the pipecleaners, and be careful...Works fine for me... >

 

OP

Fuzzbeaner

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Joined

Nov 27, 2002

• Aug 24, 2003

• Thread Starter
• #6

I just did the pipe cleaner method. I don't recommend it. I got rid of the dust, but on close inspection I slightly warped some of my fins .

Might be time for a new HSF

Thanks,


-Jeff

 

Big_Baller

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Joined

Oct 1, 2002

Location

Seattle, WA

• Aug 24, 2003

• #7

What hsf are you looking at?

 

boffin2163

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Joined

Jun 15, 2002

Location

U.K

• Aug 24, 2003

• #8

run it under the tap then let it dry thats wat i do wit me slk-800

 

OP

Fuzzbeaner

Member

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Joined

Nov 27, 2002

• Aug 24, 2003

• Thread Starter
• #9

No clue - for now I'm not OCing so I can stick with my Copper based Dynatron - 5 bucks shipped newegg refurb

I just found a 60-80 Mm Fan converter and bought an ultra quiet panoflow, so for now I'm about volume, not necesarily temps.

-Jeff

 

Chowdy

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Joined

Jul 23, 2003

Location

Berkeley, CA

• Aug 24, 2003

• #10

I use an old vacuum cleaner with an attachment that has like... bristles or something. cleans it out real well.