How do you keep dust to a minimum?

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BrinNutz

Supreme [H]ardness
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I'm trying to figure out the best possible solution for me to be able to minimize the dust in my apartment so I don't clog up my PC and stuff. I have filters, but after I cleaned them, I noticed my PC is now collecting dust for the very first time and I'm not liking it at all.

I was wondering how most of y'all keep the dust to a minimum in your PC areas/houses.

I have the filter on our furnace changed monthly as best as I can since I don't get charged for it, but I am thinking there's gotta be something better then that.

Thanks!
 
i'm wondering the same!!!

every 2 weeks i have to open my case and scrape the dust from the stock cpu cooler heatsink
 
you can get 12cm dust filters, for 12cm intakes.

Also keep it on your desk instead of on the floor, or at least a few inches off the floor, especially if you've got carpeting.

and there are dust filters out there. If your really concerned, get one. I've got some ancient thing and it really does pull alot of dust out of the air.
 
Positive pressure in your case (more air in than out) will keep some of the dust out, but raise temperatures slightly. Your computer is happy that it gets cleaned, remember that most people don't even open their computer during its lifespan, much less clean it inside out.
 
Your computer can handle lots of dust. I wouldn't sweat it. If theres a dust problem to be concerned about, its about dust all over everything and making your apartments air gross.
 
Whatsisname said:
Your computer can handle lots of dust. I wouldn't sweat it. If theres a dust problem to be concerned about, its about dust all over everything and making your apartments air gross.
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Notice, the keywords in my post was "PC and stuff." Also, I asked how to keep it to a minimum in the areas, not just a computer case.



Anywho, I'll try the positive pressure idea.

Probably doesn't help it's a 1yr old building and my pops just mentioned that it's probably a lot of dry wall dust and stuff leftover from when they built it (he's a union carpenter), and he mentioned they most likely turn on the heaters while they're still working on them and those collect lots of it and keep it circulating since there's really no ventilation (at least not until it gets above 20F out)
 
I use the pleated furnace/AC filter media commonly found in any hardware store. It's about 1" thick due to the pleated configuration, so it's easiest to use externally over your intake port(s). Cut to size to cover intake port(s).

Very low flow restriction combined with excellent filtration.

The white media will plainly show trapped dust. Change when discolored.

Hope this helps!
 
gud4u said:
I use the pleated furnace/AC filter media commonly found in any hardware store. It's about 1" thick due to the pleated configuration, so it's easiest to use externally over your intake port(s). Cut to size to cover intake port(s).

Very low flow restriction combined with excellent filtration.

The white media will plainly show trapped dust. Change when discolored.

Hope this helps!
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I'll look into that, I was thinking of trying to find something for the supplies also, maybe I'll get it for both!
 
I have always found that trying to win the war on dust is a losing battle. Just take a can of air to your rig every 6 months.
 
NKDietrich said:
I have always found that trying to win the war on dust is a losing battle. Just take a can of air to your rig every 6 months.
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In this case it's every 3 weeks.

I can't put my rig on my desk, this is why:

dscf4114copyze3.jpg
 
BrinNutz said:
In this case it's every 3 weeks.

I can't put my rig on my desk, this is why:
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Bud Light? You make me sick! But at least it's a bottle ;)

That's indeed pretty cramped. Mine is on the floor too mainly because my desk is a peice of crap.
 
what about getting one of those air filter contraptions? Those things that suck up the dust and stuff from the air. I'm sure that will help a bit
 
Yes but first make sure to use better quality A/c filter. The cheap ones are very ineffective. 2nd the negative health effects of an ozone air purifier are questionable. Be aware of that.

Also make sure you vacuum very frequently and try to get a HEPA vacuum.
 
Some humidifiers (commonly used in winter) can put out a lot of "dust" - the solids dissolved/suspended in the water get sent all over. This is a particular problem with ultrasonic humidifiers.

I second the higher quality filter on the central heating/AC and a HEPA filter on an air cleaner if you need even more. If you look at furnace/AC filters they are rated for how well they clean the air. You should look at the ones that take out the finest material - at least until the drywall and construction residues are eliminated.
 
I change my furnace filter once a month (can get expensive, specially with the ones I use), open my case weekly and spray all my computers out, then vacuum with everything shutdown.

Oh yeah, I also dust very frequently in my office.
 
sondo2121 said:
...open my case weekly and spray all my computers out, then vacuum with everything shutdown.
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You mean you vacuum your hard drives and mobo? I used to do that with other electronic gear, until I found out that doing so seemed to shorten said equipment's lifespan dramatically. I think it has to do with static electricity being built up as you suck dirty air over the parts.
 
I put an activated carbon prefilter over my intake fan to help take the smell of Astroglide out of my room. Seems to work.
 
Have you ever seen the movie Gattaca? Every morning I scrub my entire body with a hard bristle brush to remove any loose skin cells. Works like a charm.
 
The people who suggested HEPA filters are probably right, pretty much any air filter that has a fan in it will do the trick for a lot of the dust, the HEPA part is just a standard that means "HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers (µm) in diameter." (thanks, wikipedia!).

The ones you don't really want are the Ionic Breeze or other things like that -- sorry , Sharper Image, I know you're having problems now, but your airfilter doesn't work well.

Oh, and also if you smoke, don't smoke in the room with the computer in it.
 
wildfire99 said:
You mean you vacuum your hard drives and mobo? I used to do that with other electronic gear, until I found out that doing so seemed to shorten said equipment's lifespan dramatically. I think it has to do with static electricity being built up as you suck dirty air over the parts.
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lol no, I Vaccum the carpet in my office.
 
oboyco said:
Pantyhose for filters
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This is good advice, it is very cheap, easy to clean and easily replaced if installed well.
I use a garden wirework frame to stretch a section of the material over.
Awesome air cleaning ability.

The second thing you must do is get your PC off the floor, there is a LOT more dust at floor level than just 1ft above even.
Mine is raised 2 ft off the floor.

I also have a HEPA air filter in my room blowing clean air towards my PC but found it made very little difference.
It is a big room though, it might work better in a smaller space.
 
wildfire99 said:
You mean you vacuum your hard drives and mobo? I used to do that with other electronic gear, until I found out that doing so seemed to shorten said equipment's lifespan dramatically. I think it has to do with static electricity being built up as you suck dirty air over the parts.
Click to expand...


lol...no I vacuum the carpet....hehe
 
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