Is it safe to wash the heatsink in my computer?

[<(o_o)>]

I removed the heatsink from my desktop computer & gave it a good washing to clean out dust, was this safe to do since it is just a hunk of metal anyways? I didn't however have any thermal paste to go back on it though, but my computer is still going for now. Dust in the heatsink was obstructing the fan from pulling hot air away from the cpu but if I keep having overheating problems I will just replace the cpu fan next.

 

[Gotham Knight]

I removed the heatsink from my desktop computer & gave it a good washing to clean out dust, was this safe to do since it is just a hunk of metal anyways? I didn't however have any thermal paste to go back on it though, but my computer is still going for now. Dust in the heatsink was obstructing the fan from pulling hot air away from the cpu but if I keep having overheating problems I will just replace the cpu fan next.

I'm not an expert with computers. But if you cleaned it with water, then yes that is a bad thing. Never do that. Instead go to a tech store and buy a Gas Duster/Canned Air and use that to dust it off.

And while you're there, I'm sure that you can ask a worker about what to do when your heat sink is causing the problems that you had. But I'm almost 100% that you're never supposed to take stuff like that out and dust it off yourself.

 

[Calvin]

Gotham Knight is incorrect. In fact, 99 percent of all laptops and desktop computers are entirely dishwasher safe. Just toss the whole thing in the dishwasher, run the cycle at "normal" with hot water, and you should see your processing speed go up quite a bit.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Gotham Knight is incorrect. In fact, 99 percent of all laptops and desktop computers are entirely dishwasher safe. Just toss the whole thing in the dishwasher, run the cycle at "normal" with hot water, and you should see your processing speed go up quite a bit.

Funny...but what a ****.

You may be okay, you may not. Should you have washed it with water? No. Will it ruin it? If it doesn't corrode anything you might be okay.

Try rubbing alcohol and as mentioned canned/compressed air instead.

 

[runawayboulder]

Rubbing alcohol in a small amount with a lint free cloth should do. Canned air is a great help. I would highly suggest getting some thermal compound back on there though. Not having it will cause serious problems if not treated soon. I suggest checking New Egg. It can be much for a small tube.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Rubbing alcohol in a small amount with a lint free cloth should do. Canned air is a great help. I would highly suggest getting some thermal compound back on there though. Not having it will cause serious problems if not treated soon. I suggest checking New Egg. It can be much for a small tube.

Required. 100%.

 

[Morg]

Gotham Knight is incorrect. In fact, 99 percent of all laptops and desktop computers are entirely dishwasher safe. Just toss the whole thing in the dishwasher, run the cycle at "normal" with hot water, and you should see your processing speed go up quite a bit.

You work for nerd herd?

 

[BigA]

Pick up some Artic Sliver 5 from Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7&cm_re=artic_silver_5-_-35-100-007-_-Product

 

[TheDreamMaster]

I actually just blew out my comp with a shop vac on the blow function. Yeah it created a dust storm in the room but afte rsoem vacuming, both my computer and room were dust free.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I actually just blew out my comp with a shop vac on the blow function. Yeah it created a dust storm in the room but afte rsoem vacuming, both my computer and room were dust free.

Yeah that will happen.