How often do you clean?

[purpleparalyzer]

I was just wondering how often people clean their computers inside and out. What do you use (besides air) and which parts do you clean?
I never used to clean my computer- maybe once a year! But now i clean when i see any dust building up on my brand baby... *shudder*

 

[Ricemarine]

Ehh, you should clean it monthly, but I clean it like every 6 months... You should look at the bottom, the optical drives, and mainly the fans and the area around the fans. Also hard drives since air comes through there to cool em.

 

[alcoholbob]

Every time I realize its excessively dirty. Like once a month maybe.

I'll just empty a can or two, and pull out any large buildups of lint/dirt.

 

[DimZiE]

cleanin' it thoroughly probably once a month.. disassemble everything, contact sprays, replacing thermal paste, clean fan blades.. and when i'm feelin up to it.. a new paint job

 

[JEDIYoda]

I usually take my computer outback and sit it on a small table and using the garden hose I spray it out and let it air dry for about a week.
then i take it bck inside and hook it up.....

nah..I`m just joking with you all....pulling your leggs...

Air is the only way to go!!
No need to pull everything out once a month thats way in excess..

 

[essasin]

I never fully clean my rig inside out unless im upgrading. I do use compressed air to get rid of the dust. I change the water in my system prob twice a year.

 

[Maximilian]

When the CPU temp climbs up to the 60's idling... that tells me to do some spring cleaning

 

[jlbenedict]

If you have to clean your computer once a month, I am willing to believe that the computer is not the only thing dirty.. You might want to start cleaning your house instead.. Dust inside a computer has to come from somewhere, wouldn't you think?

 

[Rob_63]

When my parts get dusty I know it is time to upgrade.

 

[2Dead]

Check maybe once a month if it needs a cleaning. I have a filter on one of my fans and when it gets a little dirty, open it up and start air cleaning.

 

[ForumMaster]

i clean monthly all the dust in my comp. i have an old case and am saving for a new on and it has those pci slots that you can take off but you can't put back on. an since my case has gone with me through a couple of upgrades, most of my pci slots are open. that causes a lot of dust to accumilate. therefore i clean it monthly with air. i only change the thermal paste on my CPU when neccsary since it takes time to settle.

 

[Dumac]

Its unsafe to use a dust-grabbing cloth to clean your computer, right? Something like static electricity or something....

 

[Rob_63]

Originally posted by: Dumac
Its unsafe to use a dust-grabbing cloth to clean your computer, right? Something like static electricity or something....

That is correct. Always ground yourself to the case before you reach in and touch anything. A can of compressed air or if you feel windy then blow like crazy. I take my rigs to the back porch and use my air compressor to blow them out. (I then cover my ears cause wifey starts yelling)

 

[imported_Dvesilly]

I clean mine about once every three months. I don't take everything out, I just blow it out with air. I just try to get the dust off the fan blades and off the heatsinks, and anywhere else I can reach. I don't get too anal about it though.

 

[drum]

Originally posted by: DimZiE
cleanin' it thoroughly probably once a month.. disassemble everything, contact sprays, replacing thermal paste, clean fan blades.. and when i'm feelin up to it.. a new paint job

i'd say that is a little excessive.

 

[DimZiE]

Originally posted by: drum

Originally posted by: DimZiE
cleanin' it thoroughly probably once a month.. disassemble everything, contact sprays, replacing thermal paste, clean fan blades.. and when i'm feelin up to it.. a new paint job

i'd say that is a little excessive.

hee hee i guess so... but i just like to fiddle with my system a lot... n i have lots of leftover paint from my airbrush shop.. so i like to give my case a new paint job almost every month.. n since i have to sand the case before applying a prime coat i have to clean it as well...

guess i'll start slackin' from now on...