Dust Removal

[JRayn3]

My NUC5i5RYH has given me great service for nearly four years, however, I have never cleaned the interior.

I therefore wonder if there is a prescribed technique to remove dust and other items without causing damage.

Any assistance would be gratefully received.

[JHoff6]

I generally just blast out the interior with compressed air. Not much else is needed.

[JRayn3]

Thanks for your reply, but do you remove any of the covers first and how strong a blast do you recommend? Would it be a simple hard blow from the mouth or could I use my car tyre inflator, with care, of course?

[JHoff6]

You may be overthinking it a bit. Just get yourself a can of compressed air, remove the back plate, and spray out the interior. Don't blow with your mouth as that would probably just replace the dust with something else. As to how long, use your best judgement. A quick blast is usually enough.

[LeonWaksman]

No blow from mouth or car tyre inflator. Your NUC can be damaged. Use Compressed Air Duster - like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Dust-Off-DPSXL-Disposable-Duster-oz/dp/B0025U3TQ0?ref_=Oct_BSellerC_301291601...

Leon

[JRayn3]

Thank you , Leon, for your reply. I have to ask again though, should I remove any covers first or can the job be done via the vents?

[JRayn3]

Thank you also, JHoff6, for your reply.

I am now confident to do a proper job. I love my old NUC and would be mortified to harm it.

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @JRayn3​ 

1. Best way to clean the dust is to remove the board and to clean the Thermal Solution (the blower), which is installed on the board upper side. Since the board removal is quite difficult, and if you have not skill to do it, better don't do this. You may cause damage to the components. This may give you some idea https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Intel+NUC5i7RYH+Disassembly/98011
2. I would recommend to remove the bottom cover at least.

Leon

[JRayn3]

Many thanks, Leon. This is just what I wanted...pictures too! The first response at the bottom of your link was interesting.

Thanks again to JHoff6 for your input.

Great forum, this.

[JRayn3]

I don’t know if it is a coincidence but my NUC seems to be revving up and down for no accountable reason. Therefore, I wish to monitor the CPU temperatures before and after cleaning, but I do not know where to look.

Can someone point me in the right direction, please?

[JHoff6]

There are lots of tools out there. SpeedFan is a good one: http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

[LeonWaksman]

And HWmonitor is an other one: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Leon

[JRayn3]

Continuing with the theme, from where would I find information about the normal operating temperatures for my NUC5i5RYH?

[LeonWaksman]

Download Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and run the test. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/19792/Intel-Processor-Diagnostic-Tool

Leon

[JRayn3]

Once again, thank you for your reply.

[JRayn3]

I just wanted to say that using Leon’s link I completely disassembled my NUC and thoroughly de-dusted everything. The fan was almost completely clogged, there was dust everywhere.

Now the CPU temperature at idle is around 6 deg. C lower and a full 10 deg. lower under load.

In addition the unit is silent again. I had forgotten just how quietly it can run.

Many thanks to both responders for your invaluable help. Now to my ASUS all-in-one PC whose motherboard is showing 115 deg. C whether at rest or under load. CPU is OK, though.