Dust clogs the cooling system radiators and hinders fans from passing through large masses of air. This increases the operating temperatures of components and accelerates their natural degradation – the breakdown of the internal structure of chips. To extend the lifespan of components, it is necessary to regularly clean computers of dust.
Many are afraid of damaging the components, and therefore prefer not to delve into the insides of system units. In reality, cleaning your PC from dust is safe.
If you feel confident in your abilities, then this article is for you. Next, we will tell you how to clean PC from dust by yourself and what will be needed for this.
What tools are needed to clean your computer from dust
To clean your PC by yourself, you will need:
- A set of cotton swabs;
- A Phillips screwdriver;
- A pack of wet wipes;
- A pack of paper towels;
- A can of compressed air
- An anti-static brush, 2-4 cm in width.
The items listed can be purchased at any computer store or ordered online. Keep in mind that crafty sellers might mark up the price of the can of compressed air. Its cost should not exceed 6-7 dollars.
Instead of a can of compressed air, you can buy a hand compressor. This device is often called a "blower." Unlike the can, it doesn't run out and lasts for many years. If you plan to clean your PC from dust regularly, we recommend getting this one. It will cost between 20 to 40 dollars.
Once you have prepared all the tools, you can start cleaning your personal computer.
Disconnect the computer from the network and take out the dust filters
Approach the back of the computer and disconnect the power supply by switching the toggle to the "0" position. To remember how the cables are connected, you can take a photo of the back of the PC with your smartphone. After that, disconnect all the cables.
If your computer has dust filters, remove them. They are usually located on the front panel of the computer, as well as on the top and bottom. Take the dust filters to the bathroom and wash them thoroughly. There's no need to use cleaning agents. When finished, lay the filters out to dry.
Unscrew the panels and ventilate the system unit
Before unscrewing the side and front panels, move the computer to a balcony or any other part of the house that you don't mind getting dirty. We will be blowing out the system unit with compressed air, so dust will end up everywhere.
Unscrew the side panels of the case and blow the insides of the computer using a can of compressed air. Pay special attention to the CPU cooler and the graphics card. They accumulate the most dust. Also, don't forget to blow out the power supply unit. It also gets heavily contaminated.
If you are using a hand compressor instead of a can of compressed air, be careful. It creates a very powerful airflow, which can damage the fan blades and bearings. Hold the coolers with your hand while blowing them out. This will be enough to protect the fans.
Cleaning the system unit with a brush
After the initial blowing out, take the anti-static brush and use it to clean every millimeter of the personal computer. Be especially careful when cleaning the motherboard and the graphics card. There's no need to press too hard on the brush to avoid damaging small protruding components such as inductors and capacitors.
If you cannot reach some areas with the brush, use cotton swabs. If necessary, they can even be bent to get into tight spaces.
Cleaning glass panels
If your computer has glass panels, clean them with paper towels. Any remaining dust in the corners can be removed with an anti-static brush.
If there are greasy streaks or fingerprints on the glass panels, you will need a microfiber cloth. It will help remove the streaks and make the glass perfectly clean. The main thing is not to use wet wipes. They will leave even more streaks.
Removing dust from fans
The brush and air blowing cannot completely remove dust from the fan blades. To completely get rid of the dirt, use wet wipes. Wipe each fan blade with them and don't worry about moisture getting on the wires. All cables are well insulated, and by the time you reassemble the PC, any remaining liquid will have evaporated.
It's not advisable to wipe the video card fans with wet wipes. The blades of graphics accelerators are very thin and fragile. Moreover, due to decorative covers, it's difficult to access them, so don't take the risk. Air blowing will be sufficient to clean the video card.
Assembling the computer and wiping the case
After cleaning inside the case, reassemble the system unit. Also, put the dust filters back in place. It wouldn't hurt to wipe down the case with wet wipes at the end.
Connect the system unit to the peripherals and don't forget to turn on the power supply. Switch its toggle to the "1" position. Even experienced computer engineers often forget about this.
Conclusions
Let's briefly summarize the steps for cleaning a personal computer from dust:
- Prepare cotton swabs, a Phillips screwdriver, an anti-static brush, a can of compressed air, as well as paper towels and wet wipes.
- Disconnect the personal computer from the peripherals, remove the dust filters and thoroughly rinse them under water.
- Move the computer to the balcony, unscrew the case panels, and blow out the components inside.
- Remove the remaining dust with an anti-static brush and wipe down glass panels if any.
- Wipe the fans with wet wipes, reassemble the computer, and connect it to the peripherals.
Cleaning dust from HYPERPC computers
All HYPERPC computers are equipped with high-quality dust filters. They block a large portion of dirt and prevent it from getting inside the PC.
However, even they cannot completely protect the computer from dust. Therefore, we recommend cleaning the internals of the PC every few months. This will not only improve its appearance but also extend the maximum lifespan of the components.
Arabic 
English