[POLL] Improving PC Temperatures ?

Well summer is here (for me)

I noticed with my custom Aida64 OSD / Sensor Panel i made that is on my desktop 24/7
that my Temp's have been gradually creeping up (even with central AC in house)

I don't like my HDD's + CPU idle at Between 40 & 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

I use an Air Fan Cooler on an old CPU and i don't need to even look at it right now
to know it's getting dirty again (dust piles up easily in a few months)

So the main point here is ARE YOU GOING TO CLEAN YOUR PC (e.t.c.) ..now that summer is here ?
Or like me have you been mulling over some case cooling mod ideas.
I got a decade or two experience in modding cases..
So i know for a fact i can drastically improve temps (that were fine in Winter)

Re-routing airflow can do wonders.
Lots of info on it online too such as the ATX standard airflow spec's you can read.

You don't even need much to get a massive boost.
In the past i have simply grabbed some cardboard & maybe a cut up plastic 2L bottle..
then used that to redirect air out then the bottle to make sure the CPU gets cold air from outside the case.
This was shockingly effective and not hard to do and cost nothing.
Nor could even be seen when anyone looked at my PC.

First step is ripping it totally apart and cleaning it !

TOOLS:
I have me a wide collection of Tools & cleaners.
I do NOT advocate using air-sprayers though.
You run the risk of blowing hidden pieces of metal around
or on rare occasions blowing off a resistor that can be close to coming off.

I use damp cotton swaps often with a dash of dish soap in a cup of water.
And the rest with a collection of different brushes.
My Ex-Girlfriend gave me some of her Make-Up brushes of different sizes for example.
Those have a LOT of super fine soft to the touch plastic threads on them.
Then i have a lot of brushes that vary in rigidness (many from different electric shaving kits)

Brush lightly & be gentle and pay attention to what your touching.
Never touch a CPU contact with your fingers or leave ANY trace of cleaners on there either.
Fingers are oily and that can interact with your cooling paste. (fingers should never touch contacts)
Also a good habit too because of grounding or shorting issues.

RISK:
As soon as you pop the cover off (if you have one) mine is always off LOL
Then you are right there at risk of shorting out parts inside such as small resistors etc on the Motherboard.
I seen a few Pro's online explain it..
They said it is shockingly easy to damage the small & fine components
with only the tiniest little static charge.. so long story short.
No matter how damn careful you are.. you DO run the risk of frying something.

I think that i have been lucky overall but you *may* not know..
I never have used a grounding wrist strap. (You are suppose to use one to prevent frying small parts)
The thing is if you fried some part some where you may never recognize the problem.
The result could literally be anything anywhere by any severity.
So.. BE CAREFUL !

I know i will do something ..i just don't know what yet.
I do know that it is for sure time to clean the PC and that always lowers temps.
(clean fans work better)

The Corsair H100i Liquid Cooler i gave away to a family member last year
gave me the same temps roughly as my current air cooler. (disappointing)

I am using this right now with out the optional extra fan (didn't make too much difference)
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120 mm PWM Fan

My side case cover will not fit back on with the EVO 212 installed LOL

So are you all going to do something too ?
Going to move the PC to inside the Fridge in your Kitchen ?

- Vote YES if you are going to do *something* Wink