Heatsink cleaning

[CP5670]

My computer had gotten pretty dirty over the last six months, so I cleaned everything out except the XP-90 on the processor, which is turning out to be rather tough. I used something called dust off (compressed CO2 spray I think) along with some paper towels for everything else, but that's not working with the dust between the heatsink's deep fins. Can I just take it off and wash it or would that mess it up? One problem with that is I wouldn't be able to use to computer while I wait for this thing to completely dry, which may take several hours...

 

[NatePo717]

Using water shouldn't do anything to it. And you could just use a hair dryer or fan to dry it off and that would take only a few min.

 

[CP5670]

I'll gjve the hair dryer a try, but the dust seems to be stuck to the fins seeing as the dust off stuff hardly had any effect on it. Good to know that water would work though, may have to just do that. I could probably let it dry while I am at work or something.

 

[tw33ter]

what about sticking it in a dishwasher? as long as you clean off the thermal compound before you stuck it in there it should work pretty well

 

[imported_Starman]

Those compressed air cans usually come with a small, straw-like tube that really helps you target those hard-to-reach areas :thumbsup:

 

[CP5670]

Yeah I tried using the included straw but that didn't help a whole lot. It actually did a better job of moving the dust but it was just getting shifted to somewhere else in the heatsink and the straw didn't quite fit between the fins anyway. A dishwasher would probably work, but I think just holding it under a running faucet should be good enough. The dust is only sticking well enough to not get blown off.

 

[Elcs]

I noticed a thick layer of dust on my SLK900A when I replaced the 4-pin tail on my Panaflo with a 3-pin (since Im getting my fan controller sometime soon).

Cleaning it is hell on earth. I was thinking of using water but I wasnt too sure about any corrosive effects. Besides that, the base was my only other concern, Id just be careful I didnt scratch the base or leave my dirt on it.

 

[imported_Starman]

If it's just loose dust you might try a suction device like a vacuum cleaner, but other than that running water over it is your best bet.

 

[Bona Fide]

Just make sure you use 100% pure Spring Water, and you won't have any worries about corrosion.

 

[govtcheez75]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Just make sure you use 100% pure Spring Water, and you won't have any worries about corrosion.

You probably mean Distilled Water. I've washed my heatsink a few times. The trick is to get the water temperature as close to room temperature as possible. The reason being: You don't want condensation on the heatsink. This problem can be avoided by leaving your heatsink to dry for a few hours at room temp.

 

[NatePo717]

Running metal under water for a min or two will not corrode it one bit. It would take a very long time to corrode anything running it under clean tap water. Aluminum/Copper are non ferrous materials and are used because they have great thermal conductivity and low corrosion rates. Why do you think they use aluminum cans for soda and copper for plumbing etc. The temp of the water you use or how hot the air you use to dry it off with won't matter either. I mean they generally stay at what 30 - 40 up to 60 degrees C for long periods of time and nothing happens to them so I don't think a hair dryer or some cold/warm/hot water is going to do anything to them other then clean them up for you.

 

[NokiaDude]

Those cans of compressed air are great for "dusting" but to really clean a computer, one of those 100+mph leafblowers are great. I've been doing it regularly every three months and it gets rid of ALL the dust.