Dust covering for empty DIMMS and ports on mobo?

Trying to learn · 2025-04-06T18:26:58-0400

Just curious. Do any of you cover/seal the empty DIMMS and ports on your motherboards, to protect from dust gathering inside of them? If so, what do you use for that?

Ghot · 2025-04-06T18:29:10-0400

Trying to learn said:
Just curious. Do any of you cover/seal the empty DIMMS and ports on your motherboards, to protect from dust gathering inside of them? If so, what do you use for that?

I would just use blue Painters tape, if you absolutely must block them.
Use a 3/8" (9.5mm) wide strip for each slot you want to cover.
But you really don't need to worry about it. The standard airflow through the comp should keep them dust free,

Blue Painters tape, doesn't stick permanently and leaves no residue when removed...

Blue Painters Tape

Or you can grab a set of silicone dust covers...

Dust Covers

More Dust Covers

And... here's ten points for filling out your computer specs.

hsehestedt · 2025-04-06T18:57:52-0400

I have never ever done so in all my years of building PCs and have never seen dust cause a problem. But then again, I give my PCs a gentle blast of air to blow out any dust about once every month or two. I like everything to be shiny and clean

hsehestedt · 2025-04-06T19:01:29-0400

I forgot to note: I also make sure that every build I have has airflow setup to create a positive pressure inside the case. In other words, I have more fans blowing in than out. Since all incoming air goes through filters dust builds up very slowly. Machines I have built for others are still amazingly clean even after a year or two.

krism · 2025-04-06T21:40:09-0400

That used to be a concern, but not so much now-a-days with the cases having mesh for intake. At least the inside of my present one seems to stay clean.

bobkn · 2025-04-06T22:13:16-0400

Not me.

I've always assumed that household dust is a dielectric (nonconductive).

Chef Duane · 2025-04-06T23:23:54-0400

hsehestedt said:
I have never ever done so in all my years of building PCs and have never seen dust cause a problem. But then again, I give my PCs a gentle blast of air to blow out any dust about once every month or two. I like everything to be shiny and clean

Once a month or two!?? I'm usually inside my case only once a year, if that. I will blow it out then, tho.

garlin · 2025-04-06T23:26:34-0400

Ghot said:
Blue Painters tape, doesn't stick permanently and leaves no residue when removed...

Except pulling off sticky tape creates static charge, which is NOT what you want next to your sensitive motherboard components!!

If you've worked in the electronics assembly business, ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) training is a big deal.

Trying to learn · 2025-04-07T00:29:29-0400

Thanks everyone. :) We're using a really old case (from a kaput Win7 computer) for the new Win11 DIY build, so it doesn't have any filters/mesh over the intake areas. I never even knew cases came with that nowadays. The one we bought last year from a big-box store didn't have any either (an Acer). I wonder how much the filters/mesh might add extra strain to the fans inside... or maybe those are more powerful nowadays too and not bothered by it....

krism · 2025-04-07T11:30:08-0400

Trying to learn said:
Thanks everyone. :) We're using a really old case (from a kaput Win7 computer) for the new Win11 DIY build, so it doesn't have any filters/mesh over the intake areas. I never even knew cases came with that nowadays. The one we bought last year from a big-box store didn't have any either (an Acer). I wonder how much the filters/mesh might add extra strain to the fans inside... or maybe those are more powerful nowadays too and not bothered by it....

does not add strain at all. You can buy air filter inserts (pre-filters on amazon or wherever)(thin black mesh) that would help it you are finding a lot of dust in there. Just clean or replace when they get dirty. No strain on fans.

dacrone · 2025-04-07T12:10:24-0400

hsehestedt said:
blast of air to blow out any dust about once every month or two. I like everything to be shiny and clean

no sir! gotta bump that up! every Saturday morning is cleaning time.. up to an including the pc (dust vacuum, microfiber wipe down all internal, separate microfiber to wipe down tempered glass side door and front fan cover panel).

to OP.. if you want them, use rubber, not adhesive:
.https://www.amazon.com/LAMPVPATH-Anti-dust-Computer-Stoppers-MacBook/dp/B09B7H89KL?th=1

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