there is a lot of dust on my CPU and monitor, and yet we keep using the computer a hell lot. it works fine, but i am scared something might happen. do i need to clean it. how often?
2006-12-07 03:54:25 · 20 answers · asked by Seungyong W 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Dust can affect the performance of your computer. You should clean it out regularly, about every couple of months. Dust can make parts stop working or block the airflow that your computer needs.
2006-12-07 03:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dust on the outside of your computer and monitor are of no concern except that it looks bad. As long as ventilation is not blocked, you just have a dusty computer. However, if you open the computer up and see a bunch of dust on the inside, then there are some things you can do to get rid of it. The easiest way will be to unplug it (Make sure that there is no power at all getting to it) Take it outside and use an air compressor or a can of air (any office supply store will have them $3) and blow the dust out. It might make quite a cloud so be ready for it. You might need to blow it out a couple of times to get it all as it will tend to settle back in there. Usually doing this 1-2 times a year is sufficient depending on your environment. By leaving it in there, two things could happen. 1 - you could potentially short something out. 2 - Air flow might be restricted and colling could be a factor. It's easy to do and only takes a couple of minutes to take care of it.
2006-12-07 04:43:13 · answer #2 · answered by Dilbert's Desk 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The buildup of dust will eventually damage the fans in your computer and cause it to overheat. Dust in a monitor can make it catch fire.
About twice a year, open up your computer's case by taking off the side panel, and give everything a good blast from a can of compressed air. You can also vaccuum out dust bunnies from the bottom and off the fans on the front and back of the case (while the computer is off, please) but don't vaccuum the circuit boards.
Keep the top of your monitor dust free by just dusting it with a paper towel, and when you clean your computer, you can give a few blasts of compressed air into the vent holes to chase dust out of the inside as well.
2006-12-07 03:58:57 · answer #3 · answered by Che jrw 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excess dust on a monitor can, in extreme and rare cases, lead to fires. I've seen it happen twice. The only other dust to be worried about is inside your case. It can interfere with the cooing of critical components by clogging the heatsinks. This shouldn't be a problem if you're not overclocking, but it never hurts to grab a can of compressed air and blow everything out every month or two.
2006-12-07 03:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dust won't necessarily break your CPU or motherboard or anything like that but it is a good idea to give the inside a clean everynow and then. If you can get compressed air in a can (like a deoderant spray) and itll blow the dust away.
The main thing to keep clean is the fans that cool your comp down, overheating from broken fans can seriously damage your comp!
2006-12-07 03:57:26 · answer #5 · answered by Adam B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amount of dust in the computer is often very negligbile as far as it's affect on the performace on the computer. The only and one thing that can happen is that the computer will run slightly hotter. But that is like only .000001 C higher depending on the amount of dust. If the dust is like .5 to 1" thick I would seriously suggest on getting it removed. You can used a compressed air aresol or just a vaccum. If it bothers you or it collects too fast you can actully get filters that go over the fan openings (intake/exhaust) of your computer case. They reduce air slightly but the dust is collected in the filter instead.
2006-12-07 03:59:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dust inside of a computer tends to collect around the fans where the most air is moved across a surface. One of these fans is typically mounted on the processor heat sink.
Yes dust build up on the processor heat sink can cause your processor to run hotter then it should and for this reason its MHz per second will be affected. This affect may or may not be real noticeable. This is the reason people buy extravagant cooling systems for the processor. The cooler you can keep it the safer it is to overclock it.
2006-12-07 05:09:09 · answer #7 · answered by The Eight Ball 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure does.
Mainly dust blocks the air vents that provide the cooling for the processor and other electronic components. This can cause overheating and failure of the component.
If you can get your vacuum cleaner to blow, take the cover off and blow the dust out, Don't let the nozzle touch the electronics, and don't suck it out. PC World do a cheap service which includes getting all the dust out.
2006-12-07 04:01:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You use a can of compressed air that you buy from the computer store. And do it when it's powered off.
Dust might cause parts to run hotter because it'd act like a layer of insulation.
2006-12-07 03:57:20 · answer #9 · answered by BiyGuy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a can of Compressed Air to clean both the air exhuast and intakes. Also clean the inside of the computer. You will be surprised what you will find inside. Dust and dust bunnies can cause serious probelms to a computer and can kill one. Do this every six months and your computer will last a ling time. Make sure you unplug your computer to clean the inside. Good Luck The Old Computer Guy
2016-05-23 03:43:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋