Maintaining your gaming PC is essential for performance and longevity. Cleaning it properly will ensure you get the most out of your gaming experience. Let’s look at how to effectively clean your gaming PC.
Dust and Built-up Dirt
The first step is to remove all the dust and built-up dirt from the exterior and interior of your PC. Unplug it and turn the power off. Using a vacuum cleaner, suck out all the dust. Take your time and make sure you don’t miss any spots. Turn the PC and get rid of the dust from all its surfaces.
To further clean it, use compressed air and a soft brush to get rid of the stubborn dust. Make sure you don’t put too much pressure, as you don’t want to damage the fans. Use a soft cloth to dust the exterior.
Removing the Heat Sinks
To adequately clean your gaming PC, you need to remove the heat sinks. Heat sinks are coolers that are attached to the CPU, GPU and other heating components. Also remove the thermal paste. Be careful and make sure you don’t damage any of the components.
To remove the build-up dirt, hold the heat sink with one hand, and use a soft brush with the other. Remove all the dust, but not the thermal paste. Take all the parts outdoors, away from dust and debris, and properly clean them with compressed air. Put back the fans and inject new thermal paste into the CPU/GPU, and your set.
Cleaning Fans
If your gaming PC is not working right, it’s probably because of the fans. To fix that, you need to properly clean them. Unplug the fans and use the vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt and dust. If that’s not enough, you can use a can of compressed air and a soft brush.
Make sure you don’t break any blades, and cover the other holes to prevent dust from flying to other parts of the PC. To keep your PC running smoothly, it’s important to clean the fans regularly.
Cleaning Disc Drives
Another important aspect of cleaning your gaming PC is to clear out the disc drives.Remove all the discs from the disc drive and use a damp cloth to clean its interior. If the interior is dirty, take it outside and using compressed air, spray the drive. Put back the disc and check if it’s working.
Cleaning the Keyboard
Using the vacuum cleaner, suck out all the dust and dirt from the keyboard. Be careful and don’t break the keys. You can also use a cotton swab to remove any dirt from between the keys. To keep it clean and hygienic, use a disinfectant and a soft cloth.
Protecting the Display
Lastly, you need to protect the display against dust and dirt. Use a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the entire display. Don’t press too hard as you don’t want to damage it. Make sure you remove any dust particles. Use a special monitor cleaner to keep it shining.
Creating a Maintenance Routine
Having a maintenance routine for your gaming PC will ensure it stays in top shape. Clean the exterior, fans and disc drives at least once a month. Every three months, remove the heat sinks and clean them properly. Do this for the keyboard and display, too. If you want maximum performance, create a maintenance routine and stick to it.
Keeping Electronics Clean and Operational
It’s important to keep your gaming PC electronics clean and operational. Prevent dust and debris build-up and clean the fan, disc drive and heat sinks. Use a damp cloth to clear out dirt and use compressed air to blow dust away. Regularly check and clean the keyboard and display. In order to keep your gaming PC running smoothly, create a maintenance routine and stick to it.
Using the Proper Materials
Using the right materials to clean your gaming PC is essential. Avoid using rough or abrasive cloths, as they may damage the components or display. Make sure your cloths are lint-free, and use disinfectants and special screen cleaners for maximum results. If you use the right supplies, you’ll get the most out of your gaming PC.
Avoid Using Wet Cloths
Although you need to use a damp cloth to remove dust from the disc drive, avoid using wet cloths when cleaning your gaming PC. Not only can it damage the components, but it can also cause short circuits. If the PC gets wet, make sure you get rid of the moisture and don’t use it until it’s completely dry.
Regularly Clean the Interior
To keep your gaming PC running smoothly, make sure you regularly clean its interior. Remove the dust with an antistatic vacuum cleaner or compressed air. Gently clean the heat sinks and thermal paste, and check the motherboard, GPU, CPU and RAM. You should also check and clean the cables, and make sure they’re secured to the right spots.
