Keeping your computer parts in clean and functional shape is one way to make sure they last a long time, and you don’t have to replace them early. One thing to consider as you prepare to clean a graphics card is how much cleaning it needs.

Unnecessary deep cleaning might do more harm than good, though you also don’t want to neglect regular maintenance cleanings. 

Keeping your graphics card clean may not seem a significant priority. After all, the case keeps your computer parts safe from most dust, liquid, and other mess that might intrude or damage the components.

However, over time dust still gets in and settles on your GPU. That weight and mess can increase the card’s temperature, make the fans less efficient, and eventually even damage the delicate electronics. It also leads to overheating issues.

Keep your graphics card clean with at least basic maintenance cleaning regularly.

There are three kinds of cleaning you might need to do.

You will need different tools and approaches for each of these options. 

Unfortunately, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer for how often you need to clean your graphics card. 

For essential maintenance, keep an eye on your computer and try to pinpoint how long it takes to get visibly dusty. Once you’ve noticed it, do a quick maintenance cleaning. It shouldn’t take long if your computer is easily accessible, and it will be easier to keep things neat when you clean regularly.

You can do a deeper cleaning on the card when you remove it from the case for any reason. Since it isn’t mounted and connected, it’s easier to clean the delicate and hard-to-reach areas. 

The extensive cleaning it can take to make a card work after a disaster should only be done when absolutely necessary. 

Determine which method your card needs and assemble what you need before you begin. There’s nothing more frustrating during computer maintenance than realizing that you’re missing an important tool and unable to complete the project. 

Before you start, gather a can of compressed air and a soft, lint-free cloth.

This is simple and non-invasive enough that you can do it fairly often, especially if your computer is in a high-traffic area that gets a lot of dust. 

If you remove the card from the computer to fix the connections or replace the thermal paste, for example, you can do a bit of a deeper cleaning than you can when the card is in the case.

Obtain a small bottle of 99 percent pure isopropyl alcohol, some lint-free cotton rounds or swabs, a very soft-bristled brush, and compressed air before starting.

Never use water to clean your graphics card, and don’t take it apart more than is necessary.

If the mess on the card is so dirty that you don’t think it will operate – which is often the case when purchasing a secondhand card – then you don’t have to be as careful as you would otherwise. Sometimes a deep and in-depth cleaning will actually help bring a GPU back to life when all other hope seems lost. 

You should get a tub large enough for the GPU, enough isopropyl alcohol to submerge it, a soft-bristled brush, and cotton swabs.

If there was water damage on the card in the last two weeks, let it dry for a week instead of for 48 hours. Turning it on with water still in the components could be the death of the card. 

I'm a computer enthusiast who enjoys building new systems, troubleshooting software for my friends, and playing everything from Apex Legends to Golf with Friends. I used to work as a social media manager and love finding new ways to connect with people.

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