Dust and dirt can slow down your gaming PC. Don’t let nasty sh*t slow you down. Dust builds up on your fans, which reduces their ability to move air through your PC and cool it down. This in turn effects your performance. This is why it is so important to regularly clean your gaming PC. It’s easy and improves the lifespan and performance of your computer.
A Guide to A Clean Gaming PC:
1 – Set up the cleaning area.
Find a nice open area in your living space where you really get your PC clean. Note you will need to set up an area where you can blow the dust without any worries. A table or the top of your cleared off desk will work nicely.
2 – Shut Down Your PC & Disconnect Cables.
Shut down your PC and unplug it from the outlet. Also, switch off the power supply at the back of your unit. Then carefully disconnect all the cables attached to your PC, this includes:
- Monitor cable
- Keyboard cable
- Speaker cables
- Ethernet cables
- USB cables
- Power supply cable
3 – Remove the Side Panel.
Remove the glass panel to access the internals of your PC. This step can vary depending on the case you have. usually it’s pretty straightforward and intuitive. You may need to remove some screws that hold the panel in place. Remove any screws that hold the panel in its place. Most PC cases have thumbscrews that can be removed without any tools. Once you have undone the screws, set them aside in a safe place so you don’t lose them – placing them in a small bull or Tupperware is always a safe bet.
4 – Use a Vacuum To Clean Out Dust.
If it’s been a while since cleaning the PC or this is your first time ever cracking it open, the components inside your unit might be covered in a fine layer of gray dust. Use a vacuum to clean the dust from each component and crevice to clean this. Be careful when vacuuming the components as you move across the interior. Remember that each component is fragile.
5 – Blow Dust From Crevices with Compressed Air.
Get a can of compressed air and use it to blow out the dust from hard-to-reach areas inside your unit. You can then use the vacuum again to reduce the amount of dust that scatters around. Don’t blow your compressed air on your fans. Blowing can make your unit fans spin faster than they designed to, which can damage them in the process. Gently hold any fans in place when blowing them out to prevent this.
6 – Remove Each Component To Clean Individually.
Most of the time, vacuuming and dusting off the components inside your gaming PC gets the job done. If things aren’t as clean as you would like, you may want to remove each component and clean them individually. When removing the components, make sure to place them on an anti-static surface – a wood table top is always a solid choice. Below are tips on how to clean each component:
- CPU Cooler – Remove your CPU cooler to clean out the cracks in the heat sink. You also need to thoroughly brush the dust out of its fans. Heat sinks attachment differs depending on your CPU model, so make sure to double-check the manuals before removing them. And if you remove the CPU cooler, you will also need to apply a new thermal paste to the CPU before attaching it back to its original place.
- Graphics Card – Remove the graphics card by disconnecting all the cables attached to it, and then remove all of the screws that secure it in place. Once done, you can then release the tab underneath and carefully pull it out. Set the graphics card on a steady surface and use a soft brush to remove any dust particles.
- Hard Drive – Remove any optical drives in your CPU by opening both sides of the case and unscrewing all the screws on each side that keep it in place.
7 – Clean All The Grates.
Once you are done with the components, the next thing you need to clean is your CPU’s case. If your case has grates it in for airflow, you will also need to clean those areas, these are real dusk magnets. You can do so by using a can of compressed air to blow out the dust from the inside of the case. You can then remove any outside dust by using a feather duster.
After everything is cleaned, reinstall all the components and set the CPU aside.
8 – Clean all the other hardware.
Once your CPU is okay, turn your attention to your peripherals; you know those things you have your hands all over. (Except for your monitor, we hope you aren’t grabbing that screen of yours all the time).
- Keyboard – Get your keyboard and use a vacuum by running its tip over the keys. You can press the keys so you can reach all the crevices. Another tip for cleaning your keyboard is by holding it upside down. Run your hand over the keys and shake them to make the debris fall out.
- Mouse – To clean the mouse, use a cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol and gently scrub its buttons. To clean the crevices between the buttons, you can use a toothpick to pick out any dirt. For its lens, blow the dust and dirt by using compressed air. Remove any remaining dust or dirt by running a cotton swab dipped in alcohol around the lens.
- Monitor – To clean your monitor, use a microfiber cloth to wipe your monitor. Remember not to use any paper towels, facial tissue, or toilet paper when cleaning your monitor. Their surfaces are rough and can damage your monitor. Another tip is to never spray the cleaning solution directly on the screen so it won’t seep inside and damage the monitor.
After each hardware is clean, you can reconnect them to your PC. Switch on your PC and check if everything is working as it should. If you cleaned your gaming PC properly, you might even experience an improvement in its performance. Hopefully you can enjoy cooler temps and smoother gaming!