How do I clean dust from my GTX 680?

datguy88

Distinguished
Jun 24, 2011
102
0
18,680
Hello, I recently built a new computer and one of things I am having the most trouble with is dust management. I am able to clean dust from the from fans by removing the shield and shooting air through that, but my major concern is my graphics card.

About once a month, I remove the card from the system and try to blow dust out, but I don't feel anything is actually getting cleaned. This is the card I have: 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

Could anyone please tell me how they manage to get all the dust out of that small space? Thanks for any assistance.
 
Solution
Remove the cooler. Use a leave blower no the heatsink ONLY to remove the dust. Replace cooler. LOL

only way, but you should get dust filters for your build, they are cheap and install easily in most cases.
Please just remove the shroud screws(they are all around the plastic shroud and not on the back of the card). This way you do NOT have to remove the heatsink.

Cans of compressed gas(air duster) can be picked up at almost any store now.

@ hijaxhfx, Please do NOT select a best answer in a thread you did not start.
 


Yeah this will work too. We don't have compressed air so easily available here. Damn...
 

datguy88

Distinguished
Jun 24, 2011
102
0
18,680
I have filters built into the case (CM Storm Trooper), but I just feel like I am not protecting my card, and as a matter of fact my CPU, too, from dust exposure, even with the cleaning.

 


You sure all holes are filtered? LOL sounds dirty...

Excuse the pun...
 

I know someone who was using a model helicopter to blow out dust :)
 


hahaha yeah that's not gonna happen. I am still struggling with my damn H80 radiator clogging up... Leaf blower does not like the DPI on that thing. Ideas are welcome.
 

Remember to use the regulator to turn down the air pressure(you do not want to damage things.). And note that some users say you can damage things with an air compressor, but in ALL my years, I have never had an issue doing this with more than one compressor.
 

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