Dust

[orfajackson]

Is there a way to keep dust OUT of the inside of my PC case? Is there a filter or foam sheet I can put over (or behind) the fans to catch the dust before it gets inside and coats my boards and CPU?

I live in an area that is very dry so there is alot of dust.

Thanks

[freebird73717]

What I would be worried about is that a filter of any kind would hinder air flow into the case and cause overheating. I would say as much of a pain as it is , just make it a point to clean out your case every other month or so. It's a good investment of your time as far as I'm concerned.

[Bjs]

http://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/reviews/tnn500/No_noise_PC_case_03.htm

About the only way to make a pc dust resistant is to use a case with minimum gaps and replace every fan with appropriate water blocks.

http://www.chilledpc.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=3 (gives you an idea of the parts)

Also a good idea to have the system case high, not near floor where dust settles more.

[redwudz]

I agree on moving the PC above the floor level. Dust by itself isn't a big PC problem. It's when there is smoke or grease in the air that 'glues' the dust to everything. Static charges are also a problem if you live in a dry area. I have to be very careful around electronic equipment to keep from getting static damage. Raising the humidity will also help greatly with this. And it also helps with dust control.

I don't know of a simple solution. Filters can get clogged but are a bit easier to clean than a PC. But you have to clean them regularly.

My HTPC has almost no dust problems. But it has only exhaust fans. It draws air from all around the outside of the case. The air is low velocity as opposed to high velocity when you have intake fans pushing air into the case. This will work if you don't need much in the way of cooling. An exhaust only setup doesn't cool as well.

About the only other things you can do is to keep your computer room closed up and vaccuum often and don't open the windows. I'm in the desert and we get frequent dust storms. But I have central air and besides keeping the PC cooler, it keeps out the dust. I don't leave the windows or doors open.

One last caution. If you plan to blow the dust out of your PC, do it outdoors and wear a particle mask. You don't want to be breathing the dust, pollen and spores from your PC.

And this is properly a computer question. Moving you to our Computer Forum.

[jagabo]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=92

The trouble with these is that they cut down the air flow. You may need more or higher power fans. To make the most of filters you have to have positive pressure inside the case to keep dust from coming in elsewhere. They have to be cleaned often.

[greymalkin]

find some mega jumbo pantyhose and wrap your computer in it .

I fixed an old ladies computer one time that had failed...I opened it up and everything was covered in yellow smoker tar and it was just disgusting...the heatsink/fan for the cpu got gummed up and fried it.

[redwudz]

Still one of my favorite pics. :



Actually panty hose make decent air filters. But just over the air intake.

[videobread]

I have a dust problem also. I clean out my systems once a year or so with an Atrix portable electronics vacuum. I blow out my processor heat sink fans with a can of compressed air. That is the most important thing. If the air flow stops on the processor you could lose it.