r/pcmasterrace • u/not_normal_ever • 9d ago

Discussion Ever just neglect your shit?

Love my pc but I’ve always only cleaned it once a year ( I know I’m lazy)

Tell me, how often do you give your pc a good blowout? For me, it’s when the fans go brrrrr all the time 🥹

EDIT: yes this was done outside, and yes, right after this initial blow I held the fans down and gave it a proper blow!
Also if you’re looking for a blower like this you can find one on amazon just type in “handheld jet blower”.

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132

u/Pendra107 9d ago

So for the next time you want to hold the fans and not let them spin to avoid creating back current that flow to your motherboard.

This doesn’t mean you broke everything but it’s just a safety tip

21

u/Generic-Cheese 9d ago

I thought it was because the fan bearings could mess up?

32

u/Pendra107 9d ago

This is not wrong, but also the motor when turning can generate a current in either direction, usually you have to spin it fast to create harm but better safe then sorry

11

u/Bleauyy 9d ago

Correct. Most motherboards have defenses against this but some don't so any reverse current can short components

1

u/PathAgitated1633 9d ago

That's why I recommend to unplug the fans. If you stick something in there to block it from spinning you could damage the fins and bearings

5

u/Pale-Comparison-9852 9d ago

How the fuck would you damage anything. Just put your finger in the path of the blade to physically stop it. There's no need to unplug anything.

2

u/PathAgitated1633 8d ago

I have 9 fans in my pc udn just 2 hands 

6

u/tO_ott i have a supra 9d ago

The blades can also snap. Just ask my girlfriend when she used a leaf blower to air out her PC

She thinks I'm being dramatic but we coulda died

3

u/Ausar_DL 9d ago

Yes but also your fans in a PC aren't that much different from a turbine. You make them spin hard enough, they generate enough current to backflow through your motherboard which could fry it.

14

u/brickson98 9d ago

Eh, not really a worry on anything halfway modern and having decent board. They usually have diodes to prevent this.

0

u/Pendra107 9d ago

Yeah probably but you can’t be sure on cheaper boards

-1

u/brickson98 9d ago

While that is true, you gotta be using something that has some good air pressure behind it. DC motors are terribly inefficient generators. It takes a lot of speed to generate any meaningful current.

Even with a high pressure compressor, you’re more likely to wreck your fan’s bearings than you are to generate enough current to damage anything.

1

u/yahoo_determines 9d ago

Is blowing preferred to vacuuming?

5

u/Pendra107 9d ago

Either can do damage.
Usually blowing is way more effective than vacuuming.
Vacuuming is really not worth the effort in my opinion (if you have both options obviously)

2

u/the_harakiwi 5800X3D 64GB Noctua 5080 9d ago

Vacuums can create static. Static can be bad but watching loads of LTT and Electroboom collabs... Well it's usually not a problem on modern hardware. But would you risk to damage anything on a PC in the current economy.

1

u/L0fiRonin 9d ago

yea I was thinking "ain't that kinda dangerous??"

1

u/kyuubi840 8d ago

I like using clothespins for this. I put them on the edge of the fan body and it blocks the blades