Preventing Dust Buildup

[Zeroth]

So, like all of us here, I'm sure we've had to deal with the occassional dust issues in our computers. So I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on preventing/mitigating dust?

I've found a few suggestions and come up with one more radical idea.

One suggestion is to use the kind of dryer vent material thats used on the lint traps. Another similar one is to use dryer sheets. I shall be trying that one tomorrow.

The kind of radical idea is to build an electrostatically charged contraption, that attracts the dust in the room before it gets to the computer. I've been trying to figure out how to build this.

[Zren]

Mineral Oil Cooled Computer.

[Vermette]

Thought I do dust out my computer occasionally, I've never actually found it to be a significant factor in the lifespan of your typical home PC. I've seen beige boxes in a machine shop running 24/7 for nearly 2 years without choking from carbon and other sticky abrasive dusts.

That said, putting a coarse filter over an intake fan is not a bad idea if it's not so thick as to impede the relatively low draw of a 90-120mm chassis fan. After all, that's what you're supposed to do with the intake for home heating/cooling. But I wouldn't use a dryer sheet. Those inhibit static by transferring a waxy substance onto your clothes to reduce friction. Maybe it won't come off the sheet so well not being in the hot environment of a dryer, but I wouldn't want to risk that junk coating the internals.

[Zeroth]

Mostly its a noise issue. My fans are making too much noise. And NO, do NOT suggest a bleeping water cooled pc, or oil cooled or anything like that. Something easy without needing $500 in equipment, thanks.

[apomb]

get larger, slower fans

[DemonWasp]

Second what apomb says. If you want a quieter machine, here's what I've done with my server (current uptime is 54 days since I last accidentally unplugged it; this machine lives in my bedroom):

Remember that hot = loud. The more heat your machine puts out, the more you're going to have to cool it, which requires moving more air - more noise. So, choose components that run as cool as you can get for the necessary power. In my server's case, I have a C2D with a fanless graphics card (low-end...no need for power on a mere server). Depending on your power requirements, you may be able to get a fanless PSU.

Next, choose large, slow fans. I have seven fans on my desktop computer, and by far the quietest one is a 200mm fan that runs at 400RPM; this is in comparison to 120mm fans at 1000+RPM. It also moves a hell of a lot more air, without "pulling" as much dust inwards. I find that the twin front 120mm fans eat a lot more dust than the top 200mm.

Situate the computer relatively high in the room. Dust tends to fall downwards, so a computer that's up high won't eat as much of it. Alternately, you could try filtering the incoming air.

If all else fails, one thing that may vastly reduce noise output is if you just line parts of the case with a thin layer of spongy foam - this absorbs vibration in the case, cuts down on noise from internal fans escaping, and can catch dust. Similarly, you can put mufflers around loud fans, even if they're as simple as an exhaust chute of cardboard or newsprint.