Helpful Guide to Clean PC!

Over time, more and more dust collects in the PCHousing. This primarily affects the cooling. So he can Computer does not get its full performance. Accordingly, regular cleaning of the PC makes sense.

I'll show you how to clean the components and the housing so that the PC looks like new again after cleaning. In addition, I will answer frequently asked questions on this topic in one FAQ.

quick start Guide

• Turn off the computer and unplug it
• To ground, grasp an unpainted heating pipe
• Remove the side panels of the housing
• discharge button on the mainboard or press the start button several times
• Remove the dust filter and clean it with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth
• Graphic card, Power Supplies and mainboard + CPU cooler and clean with compressed air (always fix the fan)
• Blow out the interior of the housing + fan with compressed air
• New Thermal Compound Apply to CPU & reinstall removed components
• Clean the dirt from the connections
• Reattach the side panel

What tools do I need to clean the computer?

The best tools for cleaning your PC are either Compressed air spray cans or air compressors. For a bit of stubborn dirt, I can use a bristle brush and old Toothbrushes . Recommend

One often hears in forums that compressed air should not be used to clean the PC, since when spraying Water reached the components.

The statement is not entirely wrong. Because as soon as you holding compressed air spray can incorrectly, a little water may leak out and drip onto the PC parts.

However, if you hold the spray can vertically in the air, no water will escape. Nevertheless, before you start cleaning the PC, you have to use the compressed air can a few times spray in the air. Because during the first attempts at spraying, a bit of dirt and condensed water sometimes comes loose from the nozzle. Afterwards, it is best to spray the components at a distance of 5-10 cm.

Should actually times a few Drops of condensation on the components of the computer, it's not so bad. Your computer should usually be able to cope with this little mishap if you unplugged it before cleaning. However, it applies to PC dry for a long time to permit. Otherwise, you may cause a short circuit when you reconnect the computer to power.

A cheaper alternative to compressed air spray cans in the long run portable compressors. These are not quite as handy as compressed air spray cans, but more ecological. In any case, you must buy an oil-free air compressor, otherwise your components can be damaged by the oil film.

With a Vacuum cleaner or dry rag you can also try cleaning the case. However, you cannot get into the hard-to-reach rooms with these two utensils. And that's where the dust settles the most, as is well known. On the You should fix women's tights or old socks to the vacuum cleaner's nozzle. As a result, small parts cannot be sucked into the vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, you can also start with one Foehn try, where you die Temperature of the hair dryer to the lowest level should ask. Unfortunately, I had to experience that the nozzle of my hair dryer was too big and therefore too little pressure could be built up. As a result, cleaning with the hair dryer only led to the whole dust kicked up and then later settled again in the housing. As a result, cleaning with a hair dryer tended to backfire.

Two other alternatives from forums would be: A hand bellows or Compressed air pump. You should also be able to blow the dust away with it. But these methods are more complex and therefore take more time. Also, I haven't tested these tools yet, so I can't say if they really work.

Suitable tools:

• Compressed air spray cans or compressor
• bellows
• (Vacuum cleaner)
• Old Toothbrush
• Fine brushes

You should though no feather dusters use to clean your computer as they can become electrostatically charged.

This is the best way to go about cleaning your PC!

First you have to Turn off the PC and unplug all cables.

Then place your PC on the floor or, ideally, on a table to clean it. The ground should be there not made of carpet but made of parquet, laminate or stone floors. Furthermore, you should not wear any clothes made of pure Polyester or Cotton carry. Otherwise there is a risk that you will constantly electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge can possibly damage the components.

In general, I would not clean the computer at home, but instead outdoors. Otherwise, you're just moving the dust from your PC into your room. As a result, the dust finally settles back in your apartment and is ultimately drawn back into the PC by the fans.

It is also advisable to check before installing or removing components in the computer earth. For this you simply touch unpainted grounded piece of metal, for example a heating pipe. For maximum security, you can also get one purchase a grounded ESD wrist strap. Once you've done this step, you can take off the side panel.

Before you start cleaning your computer, you absolutely have to start button of the PC press several times or if available the discharge switch press on the mainboard. Because the capacitors of the power supply can store the electricity for a very long time. So if you don't discharge the power supply capacitors, you can quickly get wiped out.

Then you should have yours Remove graphics card and CPU cooler. Because a lot of dust always collects between the fans of these two components.

When installed, you can only clean the fans very laboriously. Accordingly, it makes sense to use the mainboard with the processor cooler and graphics card to expand

However, before you start blowing through, you absolutely have to Block fan. Otherwise reach the rotors too high a speed, which is extremely bad for the ball bearings. Also, it can happen that one reverse voltage is induced when the fans are turned in the opposite direction than in normal Pc operation. However, the second effect no longer plays a major role nowadays.

But never use your fingers to fix the fans. Instead you take one Pin or screwdriver and carefully insert it into the opening so that the rotors can no longer move.

After you have done this step, put the mainboard and the graphics card on one antistatic surface. Then carefully blow out the CPU and graphics card fan with compressed air. Especially to the slats The dirt is particularly sticking to the graphics card. Accordingly, it is also important to spray them thoroughly. Do you own one? Water Cooling, you build it Radiator and blow it through.

If you have already removed the mainboard, it is also a good idea to Thermal Compound between CPU and cooler to be replaced.

When cleaning the power pack you have to be extra careful. Before cleaning, you must have discharged the capacitors. Then remove the power supply so that the fan is exposed. You can only get through the fine protective grid with a thin attachment. As soon as you have put a suitable nozzle on your compressed air bottle or compressor, you can blow through the power pack. It is essential to avoid damp wiping in the vicinity of the power supply unit.

After that I would all dust filter remove and clean. To do this, first vacuum off the dust with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner and then wipe over it with a slightly damp cloth.

Then you blow the best case Fans out of. You have to be careful again that the fans are fixed in order not to destroy the ball bearings.

Before you reinstall the mainboard and the graphics card, you spray it complete housing with compressed air or vacuum or wipe away the dust. Depending on what works best for you. This will also hard drives (HDDs and SSDs), as well as any drives and cable clean. You may have to remove some of the components mentioned in addition, so that you can also reach the hard-to-reach places.

Also in the interface, like in HDMI port, in PCI slots, in the LAN connection or USB connections, a lot of dirt collects over time. In addition, the dust accumulates due to the constant plugging and unplugging.

If the pressure of the compressor or the compressed air spray can is not sufficient to compacted dust To loosen it, you first have to loosen it with a pointed object.

You take one for that Brush , or toothpick. Then you can blow out the small dirt particles or vacuum them directly with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner.

When assembling, make sure that no Cables have come loose or are jammed between the side panels or fans and are blocking something.

If the instructions sound too complicated for you, feel free to send me your questions Comments place. Or you can simply ask at your local computer store or Saturn or Media Markt see if they can clean your PC.

FAQ about computer cleaning!

Below I have answered five more frequently asked questions:

How do you clean a PC without having to open it (guarantee)?

If your Gaming Pc or desktop computer still has a guarantee, it may be that you are not allowed to change anything on the PC yourself. Consequently, if you remove the sticker on the side panel, you will void your warranty.

where you between Warranty and warranty have to distinguish. The warranty is 24 months, is regulated by law and applies to every product from the seller. In the first 6 months you can easily complain, after that you have to prove defects in detail. The guarantee is a voluntary bonus from the product manufacturer. Accordingly, the manufacturer can set the term and conditions himself. Be sure to read the article “The difference between guarantee and warranty” by Daniel Pöhler.

However, some manufacturers allow cleaning the PC and consequently damaging the emblem. If I were you, I would take a look at Check with the computer manufacturer.

If your manufacturer allows cleaning, simply follow the instructions provided. If you are not allowed to open the housing, you can try to fix the fans and vacuum them with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner.

Since this method probably won't help much, I wouldn't clean the computer until after the warranty has expired. As a rule, cleaning the components is not even necessary during the warranty period for performance reasons.

How do I clean a smoking pc?

The nicotine released by smoking settles on the dust layer and forms a disgusting dust nicotine layer, which is extremely sticky. Although the nicotine does not destroy the components, it is extremely difficult to remove in combination with the dust. 

Then the vacuum cleaner or hair dryer will no longer help. For cleaning a smoker's PC, you'll need one instead Air Compressor. Sometimes compressed air spray cans have enough power to remove the sticky layer of dust.

This will largely reduce the dust-nicotine layer, but you will not achieve excellent results and the computer will still smell of smoke.

I would recommend you the completely disassemble the computer and to clean all components individually.

Through some forum posts I found out that wiping several times with a Rags with isopropanol, is designed to best help remove the sticky layer and stink.

Finally, you can have one more fragrant tree hang in the case.

As a last tip, I advise you never buy a computer from a smoking household, even if the components should be significantly cheaper. As you can see, otherwise you have to put in a lot of effort to rid the computer of the stench.

As a smoker, I would recommend that you only smoke cigarettes outdoors. But you probably already know this advice yourself. In any case, with this tip, you can do a lot achieve a higher resale value for your PC components.

Fast variant

• Unplug the PC
• Remove all side panels of the housing
• Spray down components with an air compressor
• Air out outdoors
• Hang up the scented tree

Clean variant with removal of the smoker's scent

• disassemble computers into individual parts
• Gently wipe all components with a rag dotted with isopropanol
• Place the fragrance tree in the housing

Does dust damage the computer?

A bit of dust always settles on the components inside the computer. This cannot be avoided and has no impact on the performance of your PC. Collect, however huge mountains of dust in your case, the enormous amounts of dust can reduce the effectiveness of the cooler, since it is more difficult for them to blow the warm air out.

Accordingly, the entire system is no longer adequately cooled and consequently the complete PC performance limited become. Otherwise some components could overheat and be destroyed.

How do I keep my PC dust-free?

• Place your computers on carpet instead of a smooth laminate or tile floor.
• Generate positive pressure inside your case.
• Put dust filters in front of your fans!
• Create a thoughtful one Cable Management

If your PC is on smooth laminate, parquet and tiled floor more dust accumulates in the case because the dust is more easily drawn along the floor. Im uneven carpet However, the dust always settles between the constant bumps.

To one Overpressure to generate, the air flow sucked into the housing must be greater than the air flow blowing out of the housing. For example, you can install two suction fans and one fan that blows outwards. It's not the number of fans that matters, it's the performance.

Furthermore, the dust mainly gets into the case through the fans. So you can aim in front of the fans Install dust filter, to drastically minimize the layers of dust inside the case.

Proper cable management does not reduce the formation of dust, but it makes cleaning the PC much easier. In addition, unfixed cables can affect the airflow or, in the worst case, get stuck in the fans.

How often do you have to clean your PC?

There is no general answer to this question. How often you need to clean your PC depends on four main factors:

1.Where is your computer?

If you have positioned your PC on a smooth floor, such as tiles or laminate, more dust collects in the housing than if it is on a carpeted floor.

2. Do you use dust filters?

Dust filters can catch a lot of dust before it gets inside the case!

3. Are your components overclocked?

With overclocked graphics Cards or CPUs you need better cooling. However, the entire fan system works less well due to the dust.

4. How powerful are your fans?

Quiet underperforming case Fans draw less air and the associated dust into the case than strong coolers.

I clean my computer once a year, when it is not that hot outside, i.e. in April or May, extremely thoroughly. I proceed as described in the instructions: by removing the graphics card and the CPU cooler and replacing the thermal paste at the same time.

After each 4 Monaten I then do a little cleaning. But I just wipe all the components quickly with a dry cloth. If necessary, I also clean my dust filters and the case fans. But this process is usually not necessary.

I also free the outer casing every two weeks with a slightly damp cloth from the dust.