Cleaning PC PSU, anyone else ever done this?

S

Silent_Predator

EGO Addict
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
1,281
Cleaning PC PSU, anyone else ever done this? Step by Step included.

For the past few weeks I have noticed that my PSU has been blowing out hotter air than I was comfortable with. I run a 750w PSU, so I know its going to produce some heat during its operation, but this was well above and beyond. I decided to take the PSU apart and clean it. When I opened the case, the first thing I noticed was DUST and lots of it. Now, I regularly blow my case out with compressed air, however, it seems this does NOT get the PSU even remotely clean. I decided to use a fast drying electrical cleaner to bust this DUST. It has worked perfectly. The PSU outgoing air temp has dropped by atleast 10-15 degrees C.

Please note - do NOT power the PSU until it is completely dry!!! I cant stress that enough. It only takes about 8-10 minutes for the cleaner to completely dry.

Note: any Electrical cleaner will work, as long as it is Fast Drying. Here is the product I use(found at automotive parts stores):

4


step by step: note, this will work with most stock and all aftermarket PSU's

This entire process only takes about 15-20 minutes.

0.5) turn off PC, let PSU cool for a few minutes
1) turn off PSU at switch and unplug/push and hold power button for 15-30 seconds to vent any residual charge
2) unplug /disconnect all cables, marking them prior to removal if need be to aid in re-assembly.
3) unscrew PSU retaining screws and remove PSU.
4) cut slit in pesky "do not tamper, blah, blah, blah" sticker(this sticker has about as much use as a Matress tag)
5) unscrew PSU case screws and carefully(!!) remove cover
6) lay flat on cardboard or whatever and spray liberaly ALL surfaces.. give it a bath
7) let sit a few minutes, flip PSU onto its side, repeat liberal spraying until all dirt/dust is flushed away
8) let sit 5 minutes to allow cleaner to dry
9) reassemble PSU case
10) wipe case of any remaining liquid, turn PSU over and make sure no liquid is still present, blow into the case if need be to speed up drying.
11) re-install in PC case/re-attach all cables/ plug in PSU power cord/ turn on switch and boot your PC
12) have a drink and enjoy lower PSU aswell as PC case temps.

this is what is inside your PSU - note, this is not my PSU, just a graphical representation so you know whats inside.

guts1024.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hmmm, normally i would never open PC parts bit it seems like it works for you.
 
Darth said:
Hmmm, normally i would never open PC parts bit it seems like it works for you.
Click to expand...

You mean you've never taken apart your GPU before? I do every time I dust out my PC.
I would also take apart my PSU, but I have all the cables behind my mobo tray and tucked away and it takes a good hour to put it all back. I just take the air compressor (I never use more than 15-20psi) and blow it in there from a few different angles.
 
Step 1) NEVER OPEN PSU!

There is no joke here. Well kinda sorta, but that's beside the point. You should NEVER open your PSU. Even unplugged and left to collect dust for days, it still retains a charge and has enough amps to kill a person and/or stop a persons heart. A PSU is one of the most common, if not the most common, things to fail on a computer. If your PSU is overheating or getting quirky, get a new one. And who doesn't like getting new stuff :P
 
Cpt. Kirk said:
Step 1) NEVER OPEN PSU!

There is no joke here. Well kinda sorta, but that's beside the point. You should NEVER open your PSU. Even unplugged and left to collect dust for days, it still retains a charge and has enough amps to kill a person and/or stop a persons heart. A PSU is one of the most common, if not the most common, things to fail on a computer. If your PSU is overheating or getting quirky, get a new one. And who doesn't like getting new stuff :P
Click to expand...

Completely agree.

But then again, who likes spending $100 that they don't have?
 
Simple power down procedure for any capacative device - unplug/ push power and hold for 30 seconds.

I dont know about you Kirk, but Im 36 and have dealt with alot of electrical devices in my life - motors, capacitors, automotive electrical, Home and PC electrical. This PSU cleaning procedure was too easy and at no point required me to touch anything internal.

as for PSUs failing - indeed they do, mostly due to DUST and the inability to vent the heat properly - my PSU heat sinks were completely covered.

also, By no means is this procedure for everyone. But, with some common sense it is a safe and easy task.... no touching of the internals required.

I mainly posted just to see if anyone else has cleaned their PSU in this manner. It works very well, as this was performed on the PSU in the PC Im on now. Total down time start to finish was about 20 minutes.
 
Last edited:
I think an easier solution that is also equally effective would be to remove the PSU and use an air compressor with at least 100psi to blow out all the dust. I have done this many times in the past and works wonders and you don't have to worry about damaging yourself or the PSU.
 
Like I said - I posted this here just to say it works well.. has anyone else cleaned their PSU in this manner. I too use air but it just doesnt get into the PSU correctly to effeciently remove the dust. I will definetly continue this method of PSU cleaning.

a worthy note: cleaning the PSU has netted me an 8 degrees C drop in ambient case temp as read by the BIOS/nVidia System Monitor.
 
Turn it off, stick the tube of the compress air into the fan. Press down on button

Or buy Oxiclean.
 
If you want to keep dust down in the first place you can make your PC positive pressure inside. Meaning have more fans blowing air inside than fans blowing out.

PSU and the graphics card is two you can't switch, so flip all the others around so they blow inward. Then on those fans use a DIY filter on them. I've used some stretched stockings, felt etc. whatever you find easiest. Finer filters catch more but lower the airflow more.

Once done it means ALL the air entering your PC is now going through fine filters which catches the bulk of the lint, dust etc. As it's postive pressure any open holes etc have air coming out of them so dust can't get in (hospitals and super clean factories work the same way). Every month I have to clean them out they catch so much. But the plus side is my CPU fan and heatsink, PSU, graphics card etc dont' have dust burried in the nooks and crannies, don't need any cleaning at all.

Just note that putting filters on the fans do cut down the airflow, so to compensate and still get a positive pressure (if you don't you'll have unfiltered air coming in through any open holes) you might have to up the fan speed or add another fan. I have an Antec Gamer case where I modded it and flipped the bit 120mm fan, so no problems there ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top