PC WORKSHOP

[AJIexander]

Publication №2: Cleaning the computer and replacing the thermal interface - part 1​

Removing programs and optimizing the OS is not always enough to make your PC work at 100%. We need to clean the dust from the system, replace the thermal paste and thermal pads and lubricate the coolers. Below is given a list of all that may be needed for each of the stages of cleaning.

Remember the disassembly of components leads to a loss of warranty, so if the warranty has not yet expired, better to refrain from disassembling!!!

List of requirements
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1. Dust cleaning:
- compressed air (can be replaced with a cold mode hair dryer or a compressor)
- tassels of different sizes
- paper, cardboard or fabric (underlay details and body)
- a vacuum cleaner
- microfiber cloth
- smartphone
- zip-packages for bolts + stickers
- screwdrivers

2. Lubrication of coolers:
- q-tips
- alcohol
- tweezers
- a big coin or something like that
- Silicone Grease
- ball bearings

Cleaning Off Dust​

Let's start! After the computer is turned off, we put the switch on the PSU to the Off position. In cheap models the switch may be absent. When the computer is completely de-energized, unplug the power cord from the PSU, then disconnect the remaining cables from the computer, including peripherals. Put the case on a stable surface, covered with cardboard or other material, and remove the side covers.

Just in case, take a couple of photos on your smartphone to remember how the cables are connected.

Do not start cleaning immediately. First, you need to dismantle some components. Disconnect all cables from the PSU to other components, such as HDD, SSD, CPU, GPU, Motherboard, and more.

When pulling out the power cables of the CPU, GPU and Motherboard, do not forget to press the locking lever!

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Spoiler

Before we remove the power supply, for ease of dismantling the video card and other PCI Express devices we will remove the screws (1) and unlock the clamp holding the video card (2). Take out the video card and set it aside.

Spoiler

For convenience, pack up the screws in Zip-packages and stick stickers on them.

Now, remove the power supply unit by unscrewing the 4 bolts.

Spoiler

After removing the power supply, we remove SSDs, HDDs, case coolers and CD/DVD drives by unscrewing the retaining bolts & putting them aside. The rest can be left in the case. If the computer is too dirty and you see “carpets” of dust, use a vacuum cleaner.

When cleaning the PC with a vacuum cleaner you should be extremely careful and attentive!!!

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1)Do not try to collect dust from the motherboard or other components with textolite, as you can easily damage or tear off radio elements.
2)When cleaning the bottom of the case do not hook the wires on the front of the computer and other components.
3)Refrain from cleaning the coolers with a vacuum cleaner.

After you have cleaned the casing, you can blow out the remaining dust with a compressed air cylinder (after putting the tube on the cylinder from the kit). If you use a hairdryer, then only use it in cold mode. When using a compressor I recommend checking on a clean sheet of paper that there are no water droplets in the compressor.

Before using the compressed air tank, read the instructions@!!!

After cleaning the case with the help of air flow, use brushes to clean any remaining dust.

When using brushes make sure that they retain their nap.

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Now you can clean the video card (without disassembling) and set it aside, as we will return to it later. Now proceed to cleaning the PSU. It can be blown out without disassembling, but this will not be as effective as removing its case.

To disassemble the power supply, unscrew the 4 bolts on its case (remove the cover slowly so as not to tear the cable from the cooler).

Spoiler

Cooler lubrication​

Remove the cooler from the PSU by unscrewing the 4 retaining bolts. Now we will find out whether it is necessary to lubricate the cooler or not. Find out what type of bearing is used in the cooler by typing its model number into Google.

Spoiler

If it is a ball bearing, then lubrication is not necessary! If it growls, crackles or rustles when working, then you can replace the bearing(s) with new ones. If it is not a ball bearing, then the bearing can be lubricated with silicone grease. If the cooler is non-separable, then we lubricate only on the condition that it began to make excessive noise. For this, one drop of synthetic or low viscosity engine oil is enough.

Lubricate the coolers once a year.

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After we removed the cooler, and we know its model for sure, it is necessary to remove the manufacturer's sticker.

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Depending on the model of the cooler, you may notice a cork. If so, you need to remove it. If not, then continue disassembly.

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When disassembling the cooler, you can find washers, springs and rings. Remember the order in which the cooler was assembled.

Put the cooler on the coin and remove the retaining ring with tweezers. Lock rings come in metal or plastic.

When the retaining ring is removed from the axis it may rebound. So you don't lose it when dismantling, cover the hole with your palm.

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We take out the impeller from the frame.

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Next, you should use Q-tips, pre-moistened with alcohol, to remove the old grease. Then, apply a little silicone grease on the shaft and walls in the area of the sleeve.

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We reassemble the cooler and power supply in the reverse order. Now do the same with the case coolers other than CPU cooling.

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