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    Cleaning Inspiron 1520

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by tchjsca, Jul 14, 2008.

  1. tchjsca

    tchjsca Newbie

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    Lately my CPU seems to be running increasingly hot especially when I'm gaming, and I'm talking about 75+ degrees Celsius so I'm thinking of cleaning the heatsink and fan. The thing is, I've looked at the service manual on the dell website ( http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/before.htm#wp1180036), and I'm wondering if cleaning the fan/heatsink requires taking everything apart? To take apart the fan, I have to take apart the hard drive, hinge cover, keyboard, display assembly, palm rest, video card, AND heatsink. Is there a way to clean out the dust without doing all that? Or am I just being naive? If there is, could someone tell me exactly how?
     
    tchjsca, Jul 14, 2008
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  2. JayPar16

    JayPar16 Newbie

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    You are correct, you do have to take a lot apart to get to it, though the inspirons are much easier than some laptops to take apart. Unfortunately, the dust, hair, etc. usually will not come out easily, so vacuuming it out most likely will not work. Normally I would say to leave it alone, but 75 degrees C is warm. So, all I can say is be careful!
     
    JayPar16, Jul 14, 2008
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  3. tchjsca

    tchjsca Newbie

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    So what you're saying is vacuuming will not work, so I have to go with taking it apart right? I will try undervolting to see if the CPU runs cooler, but I'm just bothered with the idea that the inside of my computer is filled with dust and hair.
     
    tchjsca, Jul 14, 2008
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  4. tchjsca

    tchjsca Newbie

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    On the other hand, my GPU temperatures are often even lower than my CPU temperatures. After a few hours of playing COD4 or TF2 my CPU is usually around 75 but my GPU is only around 70. Since they share the same heatsink/fan, does that mean I probably don't have to clean it?
     
    tchjsca, Jul 14, 2008
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  5. alexnvidia

    alexnvidia Notebook Deity

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    GPU and CPU for 1520 do not share the same heatsink. they are independant
     
    alexnvidia, Jul 14, 2008
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  6. tchjsca

    tchjsca Newbie

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    Any more suggestions on this topic?
     
    tchjsca, Jul 14, 2008
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  7. tchjsca

    tchjsca Newbie

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    Can anybody who's done this before please please help?
     
    tchjsca, Jul 15, 2008
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  8. a75user

    a75user Notebook Geek

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    use compressed air from car tire compressor. From can is too low pressure and may build moisture. 500psi the higher the better and be sure blow in oposite direction
     
    a75user, Jul 17, 2008
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