When is the last time you cleaned your PC?

So you purchased a computer a while ago and have been happy with it but lately is is running slower and noisy. What could be the problem you ask.

It could be the memory, hard drive, processor or even a virus, but many people forget about keeping the computer nice and clean inside. The most common sound that tells you the computer needs a cleaning are the fans inside keeping your components nice an cool to keep the degrees within manufacturer specifications for better performance.

Over time the personal computer being a desktop or laptop will get dirty inside due to every day air conditions. Overwhelming amount of dirt build up can cause your fans to overwork and decrease cooling performance.

For example: imagine yourself with and without a heavy coat in 80 degree temperature. A dirty fan is like you wearing a heavy coat. Not so comfortable is it? plus you loose energy and your performance decreases dramatically.

That is exactly what happens to the fans and components inside your computers. They get layers of dirt build up and eventually it is heavy enough to reduce the speed and performance it needs to maintain the correct temperatures it needs to keep the area nice and cool. Some components don't have fans so they really on being free of any extra layers of any type to maintain cool with the ambient air.

These factors slow down your computers performance because they have to work harder causing the air temperature to increase making components space hotter.

What to do if you find yourself with a dirty PC: CLEAN UP

Warning: make sure you always turn power off to units before working on them and never use liquids to clean dirt, you will cause mud build up.

For desktops: just open case and expose the motherboard, use an air can to blow away dirt at fans and rest of components. If your desktop is really dirty, it is recommended that you blow it down, outside.

Laptops: don't take apart anything, just locate the fan(s) and any open spaces and entrances and use special little hose that comes with air canister to blow into those holes, leave the other spaces open so the dirt blows out in that direction.

If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, CONSULT or have a computer technician take care of it for you. Specially if you see layer and layers of dirt on components, they might need to be detailed.

Any questions welcomed. I will update with photos soon.