I've got a small factor PC that recently started restarting on its own while playing games. It hadn't been cleaned in over a year, so I took it to a nearby professional maintenance store to get it checked out. They found several issues, including dust buildup, a fan that wasn't working properly, and outdated drivers. When I picked it up, the technician mentioned that the cramped case makes things risky for my Ryzen 7 processor, which can get quite hot without proper airflow (claiming it reached 90-100 degrees idling). He suggested I upgrade to a bigger case, which would involve changes to my power supply and cooler, totaling around 200 euros.
Now, here's my main concern: the technician put my magnetic dust filter inside the case. I've always had it on the outside to easily clean it, but when I asked about this change, he insisted that it was supposed to be inside, and he didn't seem very friendly about it. I did some research, and everyone I asked said the filter should go on the outside. I'm wondering if this guy's advice is legit, if his suggestions make sense, and if it's okay to leave the dust filter inside my case.
1 Answer
If your case is designed for better airflow, the magnetic dust filter should likely be outside. It could be an issue if it's blocking airflow by being on the inside. Also, regarding the technician's recommendations, it's suspicious that he'd say you need to replace the power supply and cooler just for a case change. If everything points to the dust filter being meant for the outside, you might want to consider where that advice is coming from.
I feel like he's trying to upsell you unnecessarily. A larger case can be easier to work with, but just because he said it doesn't mean it's a must. You can manage with your current case and possibly just clean it regularly!