Clean your computer!

[wrench]

I use swiffer duster for outer pc surfaces and compressed air for inside surfaces, taking the pc outside so the dust ends up blowing in the wind. I stick a solder aid or my finger in fan blades to prevent rotation because I usually need to re-position fan blades several times to get all fan blade surfaces clean.

[asterix]

I used a vacuum cleaner before, now I have a small hobby compressor (meant for painting plastic models) and an unused small paint gun as trigger. So far I have spun every fan available at full speed during the cleaning process. Vacuum cleaner made them really whine, I guess that has to stop now in light of this new information. 

[Skuzzy]

I used a vacuum cleaner before, now I have a small hobby compressor (meant for painting plastic models) and an unused small paint gun as trigger. So far I have spun every fan available at full speed during the cleaning process. Vacuum cleaner made them really whine, I guess that has to stop now in light of this new information. 

Depending on the motherboard design, you might be able to get away with it if zener diodes were implemented on the power feed to the fan.

Without knowing if they are, it is a gamble to run the fans with air.  Of course, it is also possible for the fans to have zener diodes installed in them as well.

Easy way find out is to take a volt meter and connect it to the leads of the fan then run the fan.  Set the volt meter to 5V range.

[TequilaChaser]

I use our mid size 2 1/2 HP - 250 psi Air Compressor which has a water/moisture separator on it.... I'll  blast the nozzle 6 to 8 times real good before I point my air nozzle that has an adaptor attached to the outlet with a 18 inch long 3/16ths I.D. tube ... The tube is very flexible and able to reach all nooks and crannies..

I always take our computers(cases) outside and use a workbench

secure all fans to where fan blades can't move

Disconnect main (large) PSU to MB cable (incase PSU fan comes loose and spins

Disconnect / unplug intake & exhaust fans from MB for same reason

Use an assortment of different size/shapes of brushes

Always clean filters by blowing air through them blowing the air through the back side (filtered side) of the filter....this keeps from messing up the filter and not further impacting the dust/dirt into the filter...

Occasionally I will completely remove my graphics card and clean the fans and heatsink of it...makes it a whole lot easier to clean and inspect

Same goes for the Corsair  CAFA 120mmX2 CPU heatsink/fans cooler (these are behemoth in size)

Spend as much attention and care cleaning your computer as you do if you were building a new PC


Hope this helps

TC