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

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Sort by date Sort by votes
Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
13,234
8
61,465
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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
chunkymonster

chunkymonster

Splendid
Jan 12, 2006
3,672
0
22,960


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!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rhapdog

rhapdog

Distinguished
Jan 14, 2014
164
0
18,760
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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

chromenut

Honorable
Oct 10, 2012
211
0
10,710
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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
13,234
8
61,465


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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rhapdog

rhapdog

Distinguished
Jan 14, 2014
164
0
18,760
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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

chromenut

Honorable
Oct 10, 2012
211
0
10,710
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
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

chromenut

Honorable
Oct 10, 2012
211
0
10,710
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.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
13,234
8
61,465


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!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom