Motherboard Dust Caps Really Matter?

storp

storp

Member
Do dust caps that some motherboards come with, to be placed overtop unused connections, matter?

Or is it more of a gimmick?

How does dust affect the open connectors?
 
I guess if you were running a system without a case in the middle of a windy desert they might help, but really they don't do much (if anything). Unless your system is in a sterile environment, dust is going to find it's way in. A few shots of compressed air from a can every so often will be enough to keep things from becoming an issue.
 
I'd say it's more of a gimmick, I've never had an issue where a shot of compressed air didn't clean out a port.
 
Isn't too clean in this room, but its not filthy either.

The wall that the air gets pushed out onto collects dust.

Maybe I'd be better off with a modest air ionizer, if the charge won't affect the pc.
 
Don't worry about it. Just dust out the machine every few months if you're overly concerned about it.
 
Darren said:
That only helps so much, you'll still want to dust it every once and a while.
Click to expand...
I've used the shop vac with a mini brush head. Like inside CPU cooling fan.

Perhaps any physical contact is not recommended with internal components?

Forced air only? Yet the compressed cans only blow out in direction, instead of removing with a 'pull'.
 
storp said:
I've used the shop vac with a mini brush head. Like inside CPU cooling fan.
Click to expand...

:( people typically stay away from that method due to the risk of static build-up potentially shorting something out. Seriously, you're over-thinking it: compressed air every month or so, longer if you have the filters in place. Don't forget to blow the filters out, too.
 
imsati said:
...Seriously, you're over-thinking it: compressed air every month or so, longer if you have the filters in place. Don't forget to blow the filters out, too.
Click to expand...
If I did it as frequent as I thought about doing it, I'd probably have the most sanitary inner case imaginable.

Having multiple case fans is probably mounting more dust, so I likely build more dust than most users though.
 
Blowing the case out once every 6 months or so should suffice, if that is too long then do it every 3 months. Can of compressed air and keep the can upright or you'll expel liquid onto the components and thats not good. I have the coolermaster 912 case with a front intake fan and you can tell when its time to clean, there is fair amount of dust on the outside of the front panel. Which there is now so I will be doing my cleaning soon.

You are seriously over thinking it though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top