It's Time for Spring ....
Cleaning!
My friends: Do it. Here are some reasons why:
Here is an ATI X800XT video card. Cleaning this brought full load temps nearly 15-20C down from dangerous 70-80C levels. I can now overclock it and not go over 65C.
Next we have a laptop that, for some reason, shut down when it started Folding ....
Finally we have my wifes' PC. Notice how the dust hid underneath the fan edges and started constricing flow through the HS fins. VERY similar to what happened to my mis-Folding CPU that we handled here at SM a while back (only that situation was much worse than this). When cleaning an HSF, BE SURE to remove the fan to check and clear the radiator fins underneath.
Video cards can be a much more difficult proposition to clean than a CPU; but are becoming every bit as important- especially the high-end ones. MANY video card woes can be found here. My suggestion is to use compressed air to blow out the heatsink radiator flues.
If you haven't done it in a while, now is a good time to eliminate a few threads from this website and roll up the sleeves. May all your systems be ready for the summer season!
My friends: Do it. Here are some reasons why:
Here is an ATI X800XT video card. Cleaning this brought full load temps nearly 15-20C down from dangerous 70-80C levels. I can now overclock it and not go over 65C.
Next we have a laptop that, for some reason, shut down when it started Folding ....
Finally we have my wifes' PC. Notice how the dust hid underneath the fan edges and started constricing flow through the HS fins. VERY similar to what happened to my mis-Folding CPU that we handled here at SM a while back (only that situation was much worse than this). When cleaning an HSF, BE SURE to remove the fan to check and clear the radiator fins underneath.
Video cards can be a much more difficult proposition to clean than a CPU; but are becoming every bit as important- especially the high-end ones. MANY video card woes can be found here. My suggestion is to use compressed air to blow out the heatsink radiator flues.
If you haven't done it in a while, now is a good time to eliminate a few threads from this website and roll up the sleeves. May all your systems be ready for the summer season!
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Comments
My suggestion was to use compressed air to blow out the heatsink radiator flues. Removing the fan helps, but some cards, like the Ti4200 shown, it is not an easy proposition or, generally, even necessary.
However, if you are nearly OCD like me and just have to tear it down and put it back together- just be sure you are prepared with patience, isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, miniature drivers, a couple of other tools and that tube of thermal compound you have left from your last CPU job.
I have some pictures of that process too for this board- but that is another story. Here is the finished product:
Men- keep your PC components cooler and your women happier
Looks great, Qeldroma!
Just finished, (last night) cleaning my rigs out and reseating the heatsinks in 2 of them.
When cleaning the heatsinks, is it okay if I save a little time and leave them seated? I'll probably just use the ShopVac and an air compressor to get rid of all the dust. I'd rather leave the heatsinks like they are and not mess with all of that.
It certainly is okay! I would recommend going there only if I'm
1. looking to improve heat transfer by replacing the thermal compound,
2. wanting to be uber-responsible, thorough and conscientious like primesuspect, or
3. having that OCD bug.
In short, it is nice but not needed- especially if you don't have the time or want to take the risk.
One thing that may be overlooked is that sometimes a layer of residue may form on the heatsinks. You may check this by running a cloth over the surface after you vacuum- you may well find that it is still dirty. A non-static cloth is ideal for removing this.
Just cleaning up could well be the difference between stable computing this summer and replacing components some have dumped their savings accounts into. Doing more is just icing on the cake.