Coffee Filters to the Rescue!

[Pappito]

Hey all, my PC gets clogged relentelessly with dust. Between kids and pets its not likely to stay clean for long. Is it possible to use a coffee filter to cover up the air vents to keep dust/hair out? Would it be breatheable enough for the computer to not overheat?

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place. Its a random question and I wasn't sure where to ask.

[Beardface31]

I wouldn't think coffee filters would allow much air to pass through. Consider using air conditioner filter material.

[rotNdude]

Old panty hose work nice. They stretch easy enough and will be less restrictive to air flow.

[Rove]

Here's a non-DIY solution:
Washable 120mm Deluxe PC Fan Filter (4 Mounting Screws Included)
https://www.amazon.com/Washable-Deluxe-Filter-Mounting-Included/dp/B007JWBXC6
$5.50~ free shipping included in USA

There are many many other options for this also. I don't know if this one is the best or cheapest. I did try looking for a MERV class PC fan filter but I didn't find anything. Would be kind fo nice to clean pollution out as well to leave fresher air for your to breath. Still even dust reduction is good for you. You could also try looking for a HEPA or N95 class filter but I doubt you'll find anything since MERV typically is what allows the most airflow for heating and ventilation ducts.

[upcoast]

Coffee filters are ideal for cleaning off thermal paste from HSFs but logic would tell me that they'd be too restrictive to pass air through effectively.

[Seven7]

coffee filters maked from filter paper, the air will not pass through them, only water

you also can use dry napkins from non-woven material, pasting them on an adhesive tape on the lattices on the inner side
and if you have pets - a healthy diet, injections of vitamins (A, E, D3), vitamins + oil in food (revitalizes fur make it shiny) + regular combing of wool and wet cleaning home
entrust cleaning and pet care for children - they will be busy

[Pappito]

Thanks yall! The panty hose trick seems pretty cool, I might try that. The washable fan filter is neat too but I'm trying to keep anything from getting inside the case. I'll keep that one in mind though cause I didn't even know that was a thing :)

[Rove]

Here's a more DIY product meant to be glued on to your case, it's self addhesive on one side:

DustEND Sticker Filter - Computer Dust Filter 900x155x5mm (Anti Dust Cover)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA53V2C44060
$15.95
$8.95 Shipping (restrictions apply)

Samokleykin Sticker Filter - Computer Dust Filter 900x155x5mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA53V1KU5113
$19.95
$15.95
Save: $4.00 (20%)
$8.95 Shipping (restrictions apply)

Here's 2 different brands. Apparently the first is a "analogue" of the second.

[Pappito]

Originally posted by Rove:

Here's a more DIY product meant to be glued on to your case, it's self addhesive on one side:

DustEND Sticker Filter - Computer Dust Filter 900x155x5mm (Anti Dust Cover)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA53V2C44060
$15.95
$8.95 Shipping (restrictions apply)

Samokleykin Sticker Filter - Computer Dust Filter 900x155x5mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA53V1KU5113
$19.95
$15.95
Save: $4.00 (20%)
$8.95 Shipping (restrictions apply)

Here's 2 different brands. Apparently the first is a "analogue" of the second.

These are nice! It might just be what I pick up. I have better uses for the wife's pantyhose anyway (holla! ;) )

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by rotNdude:

Old panty hose work nice. They stretch easy enough and will be less restrictive to air flow.

^ This, it's a great classic trick known by the old-school folks; can work very well.

Coffee-Filter is not really a viable option as an air-filter type.
However, a durable dryer-sheet can work for this though. Just check them every so often, as if you live in humid conditions, then this is not a good option because after a while, the humidity in the air will attach to the dryer-sheet and break it down.

Honestly though, tricks aside, most PC Cases on the market can provide decent air-filter options. If you have an older case that doesn't have any of that, might be time to think about changing to a different case perhaps. If not right now, then when you upgrade in the future, or build a new system.

[Pappito]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Originally posted by rotNdude:

Old panty hose work nice. They stretch easy enough and will be less restrictive to air flow.

^ This, it's a great classic trick known by the old-school folks; can work very well.

Coffee-Filter is not really a viable option as an air-filter type.
However, a durable dryer-sheet can work for this though. Just check them every so often, as if you live in humid conditions, then this is not a good option because after a while, the humidity in the air will attach to the dryer-sheet and break it down.

Oh yeah got those too.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Dryer-Sheets though I will say, it may overwhelm the room you use them in for the first couple days, due to the fragrance (perfume) they have. But it will naturally dissipate once they are exposed to being an air filter and the overall open air in the room, etc.

A prime example of me having used these was for a cheap way to solve some issues customers may have had with regards to both dust and noise; many of whom had cases with air vents on side-panel of their case (like we typically see with Dell/HP OEM Desktop Cases) but either did not want fans there, or the panel did not allow; either way though, it was a good cheap way to cover up the venting on the case-side-panel. By laying the dryer-sheet out to cover that venting (on the inside of the panel) and then securing the sheet into place using packing tape. In the end it did a good job of blocking dust entry and also acting as a slight noise dampener as well. To clean them from dust build up the customer could simply use a vaccum hose w/ brush attachment; going over the external side of the case-side-panel to clear that area of dust build up that was caught there.

And if needed replacing, then it is easy and cheap to do since it's just dryer-sheet and packing-tape (do not use duct tape; it will leave a sticky mess). If you need to replace and the packing-tape leaves some sticky residue behind, that should be easy to clean up using rubbing-alcohol or Goo-Gone.

[Pappito]

Originally posted by Bad-Motha:

Dryer-Sheets though I will say, it may overwhelm the room you use them in for the first couple days, due to the fragrance (perfume) they have. But it will naturally dissipate once they are exposed to being an air filter and the overall open air in the room, etc.

A prime example of me having used these was for a cheap way to solve some issues customers may have had with regards to both dust and noise; many of whom had cases with air vents on side-panel of their case (like we typically see with Dell/HP OEM Desktop Cases) but either did not want fans there, or the panel did not allow; either way though, it was a good cheap way to cover up the venting on the case-side-panel. By laying the dryer-sheet out to cover that venting (on the inside of the panel) and then securing the sheet into place using packing tape. In the end it did a good job of blocking dust entry and also acting as a slight noise dampener as well. To clean them from dust build up the customer could simply use a vaccum hose w/ brush attachment; going over the external side of the case-side-panel to clear that area of dust build up that was caught there.

And if needed replacing, then it is easy and cheap to do since it's just dryer-sheet and packing-tape (do not use duct tape; it will leave a sticky mess). If you need to replace and the packing-tape leaves some sticky residue behind, that should be easy to clean up using rubbing-alcohol or Goo-Gone.

That's what I have, a Dell XPS but its a couple years old.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

I'm not sure how this will work out for you as a front-filter solution; but doesn't hurt to try it. Long as the filter is not going to come loose and end up in your fan blades, should be fine.

[Horus]

I use the CoolerMater HAF-X case for that very reason. I have 3 medium-to-large dogs, so I know something about dust. I am also disabled, and wrestling with my case to get at the interior filters is a challenge at best

Namely the http://www.demcifilter.com/c3/Gaming-Filters.aspx Demciflex magnetic external dust filters that are magnetically applied to the outside of the case, look great, have very fine mesh, and you can just pull them off, clean them, and stick them back on.

Back when I got the HAF-X, it was perhaps the only case for which Demciflex made their life-saving filters. But now they make them for a wide variety of cases, not that I would like to change my HAF-X. I have about $500 worth of cases in my garage sitting there doing nothing because I love this thing. But anyway...

If your case does not support them, just change for a model that does. Makes life so much easier. With thes guys sticking to my case, I rest easy. :)