Dust is the enemy of gaming PCs. It’s not visible, but it can cause serious damage over time. If you ignore it, this dust can accumulate and cause hardware to overheat and result in system slowdowns. In this article, we’ll cover how to dust a gaming PC—the correct ways to do so, the common mistakes people make, and the best products for the job.
Gather the Right Tools
Before you start getting to work, you’ll want to gather the right tools. To begin with, you’ll need a dusting brush or portable vacuum cleaner. The brush should have soft bristles so it won’t scratch the components. You can also get a compressed air canister to blow out dust stuck in hard to reach places.
Furthermore, you’ll also want to get static wrist straps or antistatic gloves to prevent static electricity from damaging your components. If you don’t want to shell out money on these items, you can opt for DIY alternatives like cotton swabs soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Understand Your PC
Once you have the necessary tools, it’s important to understand the components of your PC. Identify which parts are accessible, hidden underneath fans, or too difficult for you to access. As a general rule of thumb, it’s safer to leave these components alone and not touch them at all.
You should also know the correct cleaning methods for different components. For the most part, brushing and blowing is enough. However, with sensitive components like the graphics card and motherboard, you might need to—carefully—wipe them off with a damp cloth to remove stubborn dirt.
Monitor your PC’s temperature during the process and stop immediately if you feel the components getting too hot.
Start Dusting
Once you’ve laid out the tools and know your components, it’s time to start dusting. Here’s an outline of how the process should go:
- Turn off your PC and unplug it from the wall.
- Put on your antistatic device.
- Use the brush to dust off the components.
- End with the CPU and its fan.
- Blow out air from your air canister in areas where you can’t reach the brush.
- Put the case panels back in and fix the screws.
Common Mistakes
There are a few common mistakes people make while dusting their PCs. First, they neglect to wear anti-static accessories, which can result in a short-circuiting. Furthermore, they may use harmful cleaning solutions or tools, leading to irreparable damage.
Another mistake is blindly unscrewing components and forgetting where they go. If this happens, refer to your manual to find out where each component belongs. Moreover, some people also forget to check whether their PC is still under warranty. If that’s the case, consider consulting a professional for the job.
Best Ways To Keep Your PC Dust Free
To keep your gaming PC dust free, you’ll want to keep it in a cool environment with plenty of air circulation. Opening a window to let new air in, placing it in front of a fan, and avoiding direct sunlight are all basic steps to follow. Additionally, you should also set up periodic cleaning sessions in your calendar to keep your components dust-free.
Also, keep an eye on the components too. Inspect and clean fan blades, heatsinks, and other parts frequently to prevent dust buildup. And if you keep house pets, make sure to dry their fur before entering the room with your PC.
Best Products To Use
The products you use don’t matter as much as the process itself. However, if you want the perfect combination of convenience and performance, go for a top-notch dust collecting device. The SharkNinja Portable Vacuum Cleaner is a great choice for PC users as it’s specifically designed for PC cleaning.
For easy access to difficult to reach areas, the Hosim Long Extension Crevice Tool is ideal. And for clearing out dust and debris, the Kurgoz Dust-Off Compressed Gas Duster is great. Furthermore, static gloves and static wrist straps are both convenient and inexpensive choices.
Push the Limits
If you want to push the limits of your PC and keep it dust free, you should look into airflow optimization. To make the most of your PC’s cooling system, you can install additional fans or upgrade the existing ones to more powerful models.
Another great way to keep the dust out is to use filters on your PC’s intakes. They’ll prevent the dust from entering your PC, reducing the amount of cleaning you must do in the long run. Most of the time, you’ll need to replace these filters at least once every six months.
Moreover, PC cases are now coming with modular designs and magnetic filters, allowing you to clean your system more efficiently. You won’t need complex tools to take apart your chassis to access the components inside.
Upgrade to a Water Cooler
If your PC is overheating and can’t keep up with the demands of modern games, it’s time to consider a water cooler. This type of cooling solution is efficient and comes with a self-containing coolant, meaning you won’t need to manually add more of it.
Also, some cases allow you to up your air cooling game with more powerful tower-style cases, with more space for larger fans. Even if your case isn’t designed for air cooling, you can still upgrade your PC to support it.
Once you have a water cooler, consider getting dust filters for it, too. This will allow you to use it for longer and make maintenance easier. You’ll also want to invest in anti-siphon tubes or caps to prevent your coolant from leaking out.
Dusting Your PC Frequently
Dusting your PC should be a weekly habit—especially if you’re a hardcore gamer. You should vacuum the space around your PC at least twice a month or more, according to your usage. And if you don’t have the necessary tools, consider getting them to save yourself time and worry.
Finally, remember to always wear your anti-static protection whenever you’re cleaning your gaming PC. This will minimize the chances of shock-related incidents and ensure your hardware remains safe and sound.
