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AnsweredHow to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ?

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gomidas
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2018/07/13 09:23:45 (permalink)
Dear Evga users,
 
I want to clean my card from dust. It has been one year and I had dust protectors on fans. However, still some dusts passed through wires I belive.
 
How can I clean this horrible dust from my computer without any damage to electronic circuits on it ?
 
We have pressure pistol (delivers air to area with high pressure) at company is it okay to use it on graphics card and motherboard ?
 
Is there a special tool which is officially recommended from evga ?
 
Thank you.
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    EVGATech_AdamB
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/13 09:41:52 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby gomidas 2018/07/13 10:06:06
    For the majority of cleaning, a can of compressed air will get the job done. Small amounts of dust are rarely an issue, it is when dust builds up and blocks airflow when it becomes a problem. If you use an air compressor, you do want to be careful as you spray out any dust. It is recommended to hold the fan blades still as you spray air into it as accidentally over-spinning the fans could damage the bearings.

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    HeavyHemi
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/13 09:47:18 (permalink) ☼ Best Answerby gomidas 2018/07/13 10:05:49
    gomidas
    Dear Evga users,
     
    I want to clean my card from dust. It has been one year and I had dust protectors on fans. However, still some dusts passed through wires I belive.
     
    How can I clean this horrible dust from my computer without any damage to electronic circuits on it ?
     
    We have pressure pistol (delivers air to area with high pressure) at company is it okay to use it on graphics card and motherboard ?
     
    Is there a special tool which is officially recommended from evga ?
     
    Thank you.




    Q-tips, an unused makeup brush is terrific, a couple of cheap water color brushes and moderate pressure air. You do not want to use high pressure but you need enough to move the dust you dislodge using the Q-tips and brushes. Gently restrain the blades when using air so you don't overspeed or damage them. If you have really stubborn caked on dust/tar on the fans, you can use Q-tips and 90% IPA to remove that.
    No, you do not ever use direct high pressure compressed air on a mother board or GPU. You can actually blow components off of the board. As always, being careful and attentive prevents issues.
     

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    Sajin
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/13 10:24:31 (permalink)
    Moving thread to general hardware subsection.


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    AHowes
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/13 10:35:46 (permalink)
    Qtips dipped in 91 or 99% (if you can find it) isopropyl alcohol. Use that to rub clean the motherboard and fan blades and everything else.

    Also if you use an air compressor you'll want a water filter at the end or you risk spraying water all over ecertthing.. shaken up compressed air cans can even spray moisture.

    Normally I'm swapping out hardware to upgrade every year so most of this is no big deal for me to clean as I'm pulling everything out.

    If your space is really dusty, get an iodized air cleaner in the room. That will attract dust and the air filter will do its job.

    Edit: also most important is negative pressure in your case. Achieve that will more fans blowing in then out.. the heat will be pushed out all of the small openings in the case and wont attract dust to enter.

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    AHowes
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/13 10:41:21 (permalink)
    Also has been quite a few times in the past I've carefully used a vacuum cleaner. Using the hose connection and a soft brush end I've sucked plenty of dust off the motherboard and other components and fans without issue.. just lightly touch with the brush if in a rush.

    I know that wont be a popular recommendation hehe.. I'm not held responsible if you tear off small components or static shock your pc.

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    gomidas
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/20 11:28:25 (permalink)
    AHowes
    Also has been quite a few times in the past I've carefully used a vacuum cleaner. Using the hose connection and a soft brush end I've sucked plenty of dust off the motherboard and other components and fans without issue.. just lightly touch with the brush if in a rush.

    I know that wont be a popular recommendation hehe.. I'm not held responsible if you tear off small components or static shock your pc.

    Hehe, vacuum cleaner sounds crazy. I will not do it my friend. I have almost full cover dust filters. In addition, I will buy air pruifier for small room. I will use brushes. If I find a low pressure compressor I may try it. OR or, I just pay the shipment money and sent it to evga for cleaning. No problem I pay for it. 
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    Slimshiesty
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/20 11:40:35 (permalink)
    I like to use small parts cleaning brushes you can find them at the hardware stores or auto parts stores.
    I clean the video card with a small fan running on a table and sit to the side of it. Brush the card in the wind stream of the fan towards the open garage door.
    This helps to keep dust from settling back onto the card, and is not as powerful an air flow as canned/ compressed air from any source.
     
    Keep yourself grounded as your cleaning it, just a little extra protection.

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    mike406
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/20 16:58:34 (permalink)
    DON'T USE A VACUUM DIRECTLY ON COMPONENTS. They can cause static discharge. For fan grills they're fine, not for PCBs!

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    XrayMan
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/20 19:31:09 (permalink)
     
    https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Powerful-Electronic-Environmentally-Friendly/dp/B01FWSYOME/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1532140285&sr=1-2&keywords=DataVac+Computer+Duster+%26+Cleaner&dpID=41CP3GY72VL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch 

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    NazcaC2
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/07/21 22:43:25 (permalink)
    Air compressors work wonders. As RJ stated, holding the fan fins while blowing the air onto the components will prevent bearing damage.

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    jadbon
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    Re: How to clean the card and motherboard effectively from dust without damaging them ? 2018/08/07 20:34:36 (permalink)
    I use a hairdryer set on cold and a soft paintbrush.
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