Cleaning PC

[TenthAveN]

So last night I was playing Starcraft 2, and I noticed that my PC was louder than usual, so I felt the exhaust vent and instead of being lukewarm like usual, it was actually pretty hot. I’m assuming the PC has some dust buildup inside or something. I’m afraid of using compressed air because I don’t want to damage anything. Any suggestions?

 

[Sophrosyne]

Computers can get hot playing games vs just surfing the web it may not be buildup of dust is the problem at all. When some computers get hot they automatically turn on extra fans or speed up fans that are made for that so getting louder may be natural for it. If you do decide to use compressed air turn it off first and consider a small vacuum if the dust is extensive as to not fog up the area with dust.

 

[Lost4words]

I use a vacuum cleaner to suck all the dust from the fans etc. Just take your time..

 

[Sophrosyne]

I use a vacuum cleaner to suck all the dust from the fans etc. Just take your time..

I thought you just licked the dust off everything.

 

[Lost4words]

I thought you just licked the dust off everything.

No, i get next doors cat to do that...

 

[Sophrosyne]

No, i get next doors cat to do that...

I wouldn't do that, a furrball could muck up the works

 

[Neostarwcc]

So last night I was playing Starcraft 2, and I noticed that my PC was louder than usual, so I felt the exhaust vent and instead of being lukewarm like usual, it was actually pretty hot. I’m assuming the PC has some dust buildup inside or something. I’m afraid of using compressed air because I don’t want to damage anything. Any suggestions?

Canned air works wonders. You can buy it on Newegg or any computer retailer. If you can't afford canned air you can use a blow dryer. Make sure it's set to cold. Does essentially the same thing.

 

[Lost4words]

Canned air works wonders. You can buy it on Newegg or any computer retailer. If you can't afford canned air you can use a blow dryer. Make sure it's set to cold. Does essentially the same thing.

Or, have a few hot curries and......woooosh!

 

[Neostarwcc]

Or, have a few hot curries and......woooosh!

Yeah or a vaccum cleaner they don't shoot out hot air.

 

[Mark Quayle]

So last night I was playing Starcraft 2, and I noticed that my PC was louder than usual, so I felt the exhaust vent and instead of being lukewarm like usual, it was actually pretty hot. I’m assuming the PC has some dust buildup inside or something. I’m afraid of using compressed air because I don’t want to damage anything. Any suggestions?

Some computers have a fan ducted or otherwise used just for the CPU. the dust can coat the top of the CPU's heat sink, and act like a clogged filter, not allowing enough air to pass, so the fan speeds up to keep the CPU cool. If this still fails, the CPU won't work right and you will start to find problems with your programs. On mine, I have to take it apart (not a big job) and clean it, maybe once a year.

 

[TenthAveN]

So apparently you can’t drop your frames during cinematics, and my graphics card is very old. The game has been known to fry graphics cards, so that might be the problem

 

[Sketcher]

I use a vacuum cleaner to suck all the dust from the fans etc. Just take your time..

I wouldn't use a vacuum, I wouldn't risk damaging my machine. Canned air or an air compressor works though.

So apparently you can’t drop your frames during cinematics, and my graphics card is very old. The game has been known to fry graphics cards, so that might be the problem

Make sure that all your fans are running.

Also, a game isn't as likely to kill a graphics card as a bad driver.

 

[TenthAveN]

I wouldn't use a vacuum, I wouldn't risk damaging my machine. Canned air or an air compressor works though.


Make sure that all your fans are running.

Also, a game isn't as likely to kill a graphics card as a bad driver.

What if that graphics card has been in use since at least 2013?

 

[Sketcher]

What if that graphics card has been in use since at least 2013?

I'd blame wear and tear on the hardware at that point.

 

[Wookiee]

Don't use a vacuum, used compressed air (buy a tin if you're not confident about an actual air compressor), make sure the computer is unplugged, hold fans still while blowing air directly at them (or use a screwdriver or something to stop it if you can't physically hold it).

And if you're really unsure, take it to someone who does know what they're doing.

 

[pgp_protector]

One thing, when using compressed air / blow drier or anything like that.
Don't do it in your house. Depending on when you last did it, you might have a lot of dust kicked up, and it's best to do it outside (wearing a mask if you still have em)