Heatsink cleaning question

FujiwaraTakumi · Oct 24, 2007, 06:30 PM

Would using a semi-old toothbrush to clean the dust from in between the fins be a bad idea? The bristles are small enough to get in between. I'm just concerned whether it'll create some sort of static build up.

DRDNA · Oct 24, 2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FujiwaraTakumi

Would using a semi-old toothbrush to clean the dust from in between the fins be a bad idea? The bristles are small enough to get in between. I'm just concerned whether it'll create some sort of static build up.

That should be fine...but I like compressed caned air which is made for the such

Namslas90 · Oct 24, 2007, 06:32 PM

Even a fresh clean paintbrush works well.

DRDNA · Oct 24, 2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namslas90

Even a fresh clean paintbrush works well.

which would be better than a tooth brush(i would think)

Random Murderer · Oct 24, 2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRDNA

which would be better than a tooth brush(i would think)

whatever has long enough bristles. as long as it gets the dust out, you should be fine.

Kreij · Oct 24, 2007, 07:36 PM

Actually you can generate static using a brush. That it why you should never vacuum out your computer using the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner.

Canned air or an air compressor is the safest. If you are using an air compressor, make sure it is does not spit droplets of oil out of the hose (some self oiling ones will do that). To be safe, put an in-line filter on your air compressor hose (anywhere between the compressor and the nozzle is fine). Anyone who uses their air compressor to remove sawdust from woodworking projects knows the pain that blowing oil onto just sanded wood will cause.

Morgoth · Oct 24, 2007, 08:00 PM

i used my vacuum cleaner for that

:P

J-Man · Oct 24, 2007, 08:07 PM

I just heavily blow the dust off my heatsink or just use a cloth and wipe the dust off.

curt · Oct 24, 2007, 08:07 PM

yeah just any brush basikly i used a blush brush for mobo cleaning up to stuff as hard as hair brushes to get hard crap off heat sinks

some like my slk-900u need a pipe cleaner to get betwean the fins

Sasqui · Oct 24, 2007, 08:35 PM

I wouldn't worry about static, I swear that's old school but there still a mild risk if the humidity is low - the main risk is the bios chip, and HDDs (usually the only thing in your case that would be hurt by static). The best is a "can" of air to get all the crevices... I've used a leaf blower

on an old Dell that ran 24/7. Wow that was nasty, but it worked really well and I did that outside! Also used brushes, cloth.

Also used an air compressor. It's the best for cleaning fans - by far, second only to canned air.

panchoman · Oct 24, 2007, 08:44 PM

its a great idea, i give my computer a little brush down every 2-4 weeks. keeps everything nice and cool and what not you know.

Kreij · Oct 24, 2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasqui

I wouldn't worry about static, I swear that's old school

Since static electricity has been around since the dawn of time, I guess we can call it "old school".

Quote:

but there still a mild risk if the humidity is low - the main risk is the bios chip, and HDDs (usually the only thing in your case that would be hurt by static).

Don't forget RAM. RAM is very static sensitive.

Quote:

The best is a "can" of air to get all the crevices... I've used a leaf blower

on an old Dell that ran 24/7. Wow that was nasty, but it worked really well and I did that outside! Also used brushes, cloth.

Never thought of that, but a leaf blower should work quite well for getting dust out.
If you have time to let it dry out, you could probably use a pressure washer.
(Note, I am not advising this.

) I am tempted to use a PW on my keyboard. It's a dirty mess.

Quote:

Also used an air compressor. It's the best for cleaning fans - by far, second only to canned air.

Be careful when cleaning fans with an air compressor. I unleased the full fury of the 100 psi line here at work on a poor little CPU fan and it spun at about 4 million RPM for about 3 seconds and then vaporized. I now stick something (like a screwdriver) in between the fan blades to keep them from turning when using high pressure air.

Tatty_One · Oct 24, 2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namslas90

Even a fresh clean paintbrush works well.

Thats what I use! gets everywhere

If things are really bad I just get the vacum cleaner in there, sucks all the sh*t out and quick.

Sasqui · Oct 24, 2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreij

Don't forget RAM. RAM is very static sensitive.

Ahh yes, the SPD chip that can be flashed... good point.

I've done all sorts of nasty static type things to my puters with no harm, perhaps someday I'll get burned. I would NOT recommend a pressure washer. However, I have washed a video card in my dishwasher and it worked fine. Damn sparkly too!

Yes, I too have used a vaccuum

EnglishLion · Oct 24, 2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreij

I am tempted to use a PW on my keyboard. It's a dirty mess.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/1257...ishwasher.html

Just put your keyboard in the dishwasher - assuming it's NOT a wireless one or a fancy one with LCD screen.

Kreij · Oct 24, 2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

I would NOT recommend a pressure washer.

I just ordered a new keyboard, so the old MS natural elite is getting the PW treatment when the new one arrives.
If it does not survive the 3600 psi onslaught, pictures will be forthcoming.

Sasqui · Oct 25, 2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreij

If it does not survive the 3600 psi onslaught, pictures will be forthcoming.

Oct 24, 2007, 06:30 PM	#1
FujiwaraTakumi Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 81 (0.03/day) Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts System Specs	Heatsink cleaning question Would using a semi-old toothbrush to clean the dust from in between the fins be a bad idea? The bristles are small enough to get in between. I'm just concerned whether it'll create some sort of static build up.

Processor:	AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (NewCastle) @ 2.4Ghz
Motherboard:	Asus K8N
Cooling:	CM Hyper TX2, 4x80mm front intakes, Antec VGA intake, 92mm exhaust, Zalman VF900
Memory:	2x512MB Corsair Value PC3200 CAS 2.5, 1x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3200 CAS 2.5
Video Card:	Sapphire X800GTO 440/540 w/ 16 pipelines bios mod
Hard Disk:	Seagate 160GB SATA, Seagate 200GB ATA
Optical Drive:	Sony 16x dvd burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 19" widescreen (940BW)
Case:	Rosewill TU-155
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	Zalman ZM500 (500W)
Software:	Windows XP Professional SP2

System Name:	http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=73751
Processor:	i7-920 CO@4.2GHZ
Motherboard:	Asus P6T Deluxe Intel X58
Cooling:	Asetek Liquid CPU Cooling System
Memory:	CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
Video Card:	2X ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB DDR5 PCI-Express
Hard Disk:	(RAID-0) with 4 Identical Hard Drives (1.28TB (320GBx4)
Optical Drive:	LG BLU-RAY/HD-DVD Reader / DVD±R/±RW Writer
CRT/LCD Model:	LG 50" 50PK550 1080p 600Hz Plasma/37 Inch WestingHouse @1920x1080
Case:	Thermaltake M9 (I hate it its like trying to live in a 1 inch box)
PSU:	ThermalTake ToughPower 1200 Watt
Software:	Windows 7 professional 64

Oct 24, 2007, 06:32 PM	#3
Namslas90 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 3,908 (1.57/day) Thanks: 107 Thanked 577 Times in 533 Posts System Specs	Even a fresh clean paintbrush works well. __________________

Processor:	AMD PII 940
Motherboard:	Biostar TA790GXB3
Cooling:	Custom Air
Memory:	4GB G.SKILL (2x2)
Video Card:	ASUS Radeon HD 5970
Hard Disk:	2X32GB ST SSd R0 + WD500GB storage
Optical Drive:	22x DVD/CD combo R+/W+
CRT/LCD Model:	Asus 22" Widescreen
Case:	Thermaltake V9 BE
PSU:	PCP&C 750 Silencer

System Name:	Shut up and take my money! \| Fatal Error
Processor:	Core i7 3820 @ 4.9GHz \| AMD FX-8350
Motherboard:	Asus ROG Rampage IV Extreme \| Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
Cooling:	Corsair H100i \| Xigmatek Aegir
Memory:	4x 4GB Samsung 30nm LP HYK0 DDR3-1600 @ 2400 1T \| 2x 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 1866 Cas 8
Video Card:	2x AMD HD7970 flashed to XFX Black Editions, EVGA GTS250 for Physx \| AMD HD7970
Hard Disk:	Samsung SSD 830 256GB \| Too many, lol.
CRT/LCD Model:	In Limbo \| HP w2207h 1680x1050
Case:	Silverstone Kublai 04 \| Chenming 601ae-BLU
Sound Card:	RM-DAC -> Xiang Sheng 708b -> Sennheiser HD650
PSU:	Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1200w \| Corsair CX750M
Software:	Win 7 64
Benchmarks:	9001 BungholioMarks, "Bitchin' Fast"

Oct 24, 2007, 07:36 PM	#6
Kreij Hardcore Monkey Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheeseland (Wisconsin, USA) Posts: 12,254 (5.27/day) Thanks: 591 Thanked 5,510 Times in 2,948 Posts System Specs	Actually you can generate static using a brush. That it why you should never vacuum out your computer using the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Canned air or an air compressor is the safest. If you are using an air compressor, make sure it is does not spit droplets of oil out of the hose (some self oiling ones will do that). To be safe, put an in-line filter on your air compressor hose (anywhere between the compressor and the nozzle is fine). Anyone who uses their air compressor to remove sawdust from woodworking projects knows the pain that blowing oil onto just sanded wood will cause. __________________ Cloud (noun, singular): A dynamic arrangement of multiple potential single points of failure, with a user at one end and their data at the other. Get more tech news on a wide variety of topics at NextPowerUp

Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650 Extreme @ 3.0 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage Formula
Cooling:	ZeroTherm Nirvana NV120 Premium
Memory:	8GB (4 x 2GB) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500
Video Card:	2 x Sapphire Radeon HD6970
Hard Disk:	2 x Seagate Barracuda 320GB in RAID 0
Optical Drive:	Sony DRU-120C DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 3007WFP 30" LCD (2560 x 1600)
Case:	Thermaltake Armor w/ 250mm Side Fan
Sound Card:	SupremeFX 8ch Audio
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Modular
Software:	Win8 Pro x64 / Cat 12.10

Oct 24, 2007, 08:00 PM	#7
Morgoth Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,668 (1.24/day) Thanks: 83 Thanked 237 Times in 165 Posts System Specs	i used my vacuum cleaner for that :P __________________ http://www.moddb.com/mods/biohazard-project http://biohazardproject.net76.net/

System Name:	Skynet
Processor:	Intel Xeon E5520 Intel Xeon E5520 @ stock
Motherboard:	Evga W555 sr-2
Cooling:	2xCPu on water (3 rads 120x120) Swiftech 655 pump, gpu, ram on air
Memory:	24gb ram 1066mhz
Video Card:	Sapphire HD7970 3gb
Hard Disk:	2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 32MB Cache SATA2 3gb ramdisk 64gb ssd OS
Optical Drive:	none
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 206bw 20inch 16:10
Case:	techbench custom
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Corsair Powersupply CMPSU-1000HXEU 1000W, Modular
Software:	Windows 7 ultimate 64bit
Benchmarks:	3dmark 2011 P8324 Wprime 32m 6,203 VBCT 10mb final compile 00:02:13

Oct 24, 2007, 08:07 PM	#8
J-Man Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oakham, UK Posts: 2,035 (0.91/day) Thanks: 78 Thanked 83 Times in 81 Posts System Specs	I just heavily blow the dust off my heatsink or just use a cloth and wipe the dust off.

System Name:	Watercooled beast
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.02GHz
Motherboard:	ASUS Rampage Formula X48
Cooling:	Swiftech Apogee GTZ, Black Ice GTX Xtreme 480, EK 250 Rev 2, EK 4870 X2, MCP655, 1/2" Tygon Tubing
Memory:	4GB DDR2 OCZ @ 1066MHz 2.1V
Video Card:	HIS ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 800 on core, 1000 on memory (overclocked in CCC)
Hard Disk:	500GB Maxtor Diamondmax 22 SATA II 32MB Cache
Optical Drive:	Sony NEC Optiarc 20x DVD RW SATA DL & LG 20x DVD RW SATA DL
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 24" SM245B
Case:	SilverStone TJ07 black/windowed version
Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty + Logitech Z-5500
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W Modular
Software:	Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Retail

Oct 24, 2007, 08:07 PM	#9
curt Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 580 (0.24/day) Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	hey yeah just any brush basikly i used a blush brush for mobo cleaning up to stuff as hard as hair brushes to get hard crap off heat sinks some like my slk-900u need a pipe cleaner to get betwean the fins

Processor:	amd phenom II x4 955be @4.2gh 1.4v 24/7 max so far 4.6gh 1.5v in windows
Motherboard:	asus crosshair V well cooled
Cooling:	dd mc tdx block with 10000btu a/c rad with cold air piped from outside
Memory:	ocz low volt reapers 1600mh @ 1667mh 8.8.8.20 1.6v
Video Card:	bfg gtx 280 1gig core has hit over 733mh
Hard Disk:	2 intel 40gb ssd.s in raid 0/ 1tb seagate 7200.12
Optical Drive:	lg 16x dvd burner
CRT/LCD Model:	2x 19inch non wide lcd.s
Case:	none sits on back plate from a case lol
Sound Card:	sb xfi extream music [pci]
PSU:	#1corsair tx850 for mobo/vid #2 enermax true 460wat for hd.s/cd/fans
Software:	xp pro/7 64bit [biggest comp out of 3 i run]
Benchmarks:	the marks ar well ownage lol

Oct 24, 2007, 08:35 PM	#10
Sasqui Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 6,135 (2.23/day) Thanks: 848 Thanked 935 Times in 764 Posts System Specs	I wouldn't worry about static, I swear that's old school but there still a mild risk if the humidity is low - the main risk is the bios chip, and HDDs (usually the only thing in your case that would be hurt by static). The best is a "can" of air to get all the crevices... I've used a leaf blower on an old Dell that ran 24/7. Wow that was nasty, but it worked really well and I did that outside! Also used brushes, cloth. Also used an air compressor. It's the best for cleaning fans - by far, second only to canned air.

System Name:	"Naked Ivy"
Processor:	i7-3570k Costa (4.7 Ghz 24/7), Now de-lidded and NAKED!
Motherboard:	GA-Z77X-UD5H (rev1.1)
Cooling:	SWTech 320 Rad, Modded 655 Pump, Koolance 345
Memory:	16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card:	Powercolor HD 7870 (Core at 1200, 5% bump in voltage)
Hard Disk:	WD 320 / 500KS / 500KS / 640KS / 640LS / 640LS / 640LS / 1TBFAEX
Optical Drive:	LG DVD+-R
CRT/LCD Model:	24" DELL 2405FPW
Case:	Modded HAF 932
Sound Card:	Onboard + HD HDMI
PSU:	Corsair HX750 (love it)
Software:	Win 7 Ultimate
Benchmarks:	Almost stable @ 4.9 Ghz, working on benchies

Oct 24, 2007, 08:44 PM	#11
panchoman Sold my stars! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,650 (3.07/day) Thanks: 339 Thanked 1,227 Times in 1,036 Posts System Specs	its a great idea, i give my computer a little brush down every 2-4 weeks. keeps everything nice and cool and what not you know. __________________ Need any Graphics Made? Visit Graphic Artists United! R.I.P Megan--Heaven has a new angel

Processor:	Amd Athlon X2 4600+ Windsor(90nm) EE(65W) @2.9-3.0 @1.45
Motherboard:	Biostar Tforce [Nvidia] 550
Cooling:	Thermaltake Blue Orb-- bunch of other fans here and there....
Memory:	2 gigs (2x1gb) of patriot ddr2 800 @ 4-4-4-12-2t
Video Card:	Sapphire X1950pro Pci-E x16 @stock@stock on stock
Hard Disk:	Seagate 7200.11 250gb Drive, WD raptors (30/40) in Raid 0
Optical Drive:	Lite-on 20x SATA DVD Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	ANCIENT 15" sony lcd, bought it when it was like 500 bucks
Case:	Apevia X-plorer blue/black
Sound Card:	Onboard- Why get an sound card when you can hum??
PSU:	Antec NeoHe 550-manufactured by seasonic -replacement to the discontinued smart power series
Software:	Windows XP pro SP2 -- vista is still crap

System Name:	The Black & White
Processor:	Core i7 930@4.3Gig
Motherboard:	Gigabyte GA-EX58 UD4P
Cooling:	Corsair Hydro H80i/Viper140's/Apache120's
Memory:	12GB Team Xtreem LV 2133Mhz CL9 triple
Video Card:	Gigabyte HD7870 2GB Windforce3X@1250mhz
Hard Disk:	Crucial RealSSD M4 64+Spinpoint F4 320Gig
Optical Drive:	LG BluRay/HD and LG SuperMulti writer
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung S24B750V 24inch IPS@1080
Case:	BitFenix Shinobi Black/White
Sound Card:	Xifi Elite Pro/VideoLogicZXR550's
PSU:	Thermaltake ToughPower 750W modular
Software:	Win 7 x64
Benchmarks:	Retired

Processor:	Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160
Motherboard:	ASUS P5E3 Deluxe
Cooling:	Akasa EVO 120
Memory:	2 x 1Gb OCZ Gold DDR3 1066Mhz 6,6,6,18
Video Card:	GeCube ATi X1950Pro 512Mb PCIe (Accelro X2)
Hard Disk:	Samsung 320Gb SATA2
Optical Drive:	DVD-RW - Sony
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung SM206BW 20" Widescreen TFT 1680x1050
Case:	Coolermaster Centurion 532
Sound Card:	On board AC'97
PSU:	Hiper Type-R 580W
Software:	Windows Vista Home Premium
Benchmarks:	See my OC Blog @ http://www.rowan-house.net/

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)