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How to clean dust out of a "large" heatsink?

Tags:
  • Cooling
  • Heatsinks
  • Scythe
Last response: in Overclocking
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July 23, 2014 5:52:11 AM

the heatsink/cooler is scythe ninja 3
http://i61.tinypic.com/2j3id8n.jpg

I've tried everything, vacuum cleaner, hair drier, (both at the same time), tried poking the dust out and whatnot.

But the dust is stuck around the heatpipes and some of the fins.

P.S Im not going to buy canned air.

More about : clean dust large heatsink

July 23, 2014 6:00:54 AM

A can of compressed air is the safest and a very effective way of cleaning dust as you described. However, since you are not in favor of buying a can of air, you can try other sources of compressed air.

Caution: Compressed air from a commercial air compressor contains moisture, and may also contain traces of oil from the systen; oil that escapes the oil separator.
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July 23, 2014 6:04:27 AM

chromenut said:
the heatsink/cooler is scythe ninja 3
http://i61.tinypic.com/2j3id8n.jpg

I've tried everything, vacuum cleaner, hair drier, (both at the same time), tried poking the dust out and whatnot.

But the dust is stuck around the heatpipes and some of the fins.

P.S Im not going to buy canned air.


Why are you not going to buy canned air? Cleaning dust out of those little cracks and crevices is exactly what canned air was created for! Me personally, canned air and a vacuum works great every time when it comes to getting rid of the dust bunnies.

Anyway, if you are not going to buy canned air, then perhaps you could try some pipe cleaners in between the fins and around the heat pipes. The other option is to remove the heatsink from the motherboard and run water through it to get all the dust bunnies dislodged.

Good luck!
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July 23, 2014 6:17:32 AM

Short of removing the heat sink from the CPU for "submersion cleaning techniques", then some form of compressed air is really the only option. Yes, it may seem ridiculous to purchase air that is free to breathe all around us, but you aren't really buying the air. You're buying the compression of the air and the propellant so that you can use that air to clean things like your heat sink.

While a can of air may seem expensive at first, the maintenance it performs will extend the life of your CPU and keep you from having to purchase a new CPU much sooner than you would want to.


Alternative that hasn't been suggested yet: You could try blowing up a balloon, and try to make the air escape in the right direction by using a rubber band to attach a small straw, like a coffee stirring straw, which should give you better than what you can do by blowing, but you still run the risk of the moisture that you won't have with a can of air.
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July 23, 2014 6:29:58 AM

Since you don't want to buy the canned air, take your PC to a shop, and let them buy the canned air, and charge you 50 bucks for 5 minutes of work.
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July 23, 2014 6:30:31 AM

i was thinking of removing the heatsink and using my showerhead's "massage" setting that shoots water with quite a bit of pressure, then use hair dryer to dry it some, then leave it to the sun for the rest of the time.
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July 23, 2014 6:34:47 AM

chromenut said:
i was thinking of removing the heatsink and using my showerhead's "massage" setting that shoots water with quite a bit of pressure, then use hair dryer to dry it some, then leave it to the sun for the rest of the time.


This solution will cost you more than the can of compressed air because now you need to buy some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound. Also, there is some risk involved when you take the heatsink out and re-install it.

A can of compressed air is not just air, it is clean air free from moisture, oil, and other contaminants. A can of compressed air is the way to go.
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July 23, 2014 6:43:37 AM

Besides, I've tried the showerhead massage method, it tends to push the dust back into the fins and packs them in where it is more difficult to get loose. You're better off using toothpicks.

May I ask, why are you opposed to using canned air? Especially since removing the heat sink will cost more by having to replace the thermal compound? Is there a reason other than the cost?

If you're afraid it will contribute to the loss of the ozone layer (which is garbage, because a can of compressed air will not do that), then I'll tell you what I'll do. If you don't agree to go buy and use a can of air, I'll buy 10 and spray them all out towards the clouds. Yes, it's blackmail.

If it is just the cost, remember it's the less expensive solution to getting the job done.
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July 23, 2014 6:53:01 AM

im just kind of broke at the moment (student) and ive just ordered mx-4 paste.

i have re-seated this heatsink many times cause of 3 time CPU swap & cleaning procedures.

FYI, the cooler is so "dense" and cause of heatpipe locations its almost impossible to use a toothpick etc. to poke out the dust
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July 23, 2014 8:53:09 AM

another thing i had in mind is to use an lighter and set the flame "ridiculously" big, set vacuum to suck on the other side to extend the flame further and suck the dirt/dust etc.

Im running out of options :D .
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July 23, 2014 9:14:26 AM

chromenut said:
another thing i had in mind is to use an lighter and set the flame "ridiculously" big, set vacuum to suck on the other side to extend the flame further and suck the dirt/dust etc.

Im running out of options :D .


Flame and heat will distort the heat pipes and the cooling fins. This will result in a mess!

Bite the bullet and get a can of compressed air!
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!