Best way to improve air filtering on Mac Pro?

[js2704]

I have an 8-core 2010 which is forever needing cleaned out - we live in a fairly old house with a dog, carpets and a couple of small children so all the usual dust factors.

I've been trying to find a way of better filtering the air coming into the Pro, and came across the iSchmutz (http://www.amazon.com/iSchmutz-Mac-Pro-Air-Filter/dp/B00C3N9SUK). Whilst it looks like pretty much what I had in mind, it's $25 plus shipping to the UK which makes the cost start to look a bit daft.

I'm wondering whether stainless steel filter mesh of the sort sold by laboratory suppliers might be a cheaper and aesthetically quite pleasant alternative - this is the kind of thing http://www.inoxia.co.uk/products/mesh/sheets/200-mesh.

A couple of questions, therefore:

- has anyone here added an aftermarket filter to their Pro?
- any thoughts on material? I've seen all sorts on the PC forums - filter material from cooker hoods, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, carburettors and the custom PC foam stuff - but I'm wondering about hampering airflow into the box
- if anyone's used the mesh, what mesh size do you recommend? There seems to be a huge range, from 5.45mm holes ("4 mesh") right down to 35um ("400 mesh"). As best I can figure out, the foam equivalents seem to equate to around 60 mesh, where the hole diameter is around 250um.

Any thoughts welcome...thanks

 

[Tucom]

I would personally just go with the Amazon one - you've already paid a premium for your workstation, I think it would be suitable to get a matching dust filter that does it justice. I wouldn't dream of using bare metal mesh on my Pro - or any computer.

 

[Gav2k]

Wouldn't attach any pos filter to a Mac Pro. Personally I'd just get into the routine of blowing it through with compressed air. Takes 5 minutes.

 

[Tucom]

Wouldn't attach any pos filter to a Mac Pro. Personally I'd just get into the routine of blowing it through with compressed air. Takes 5 minutes.

Or get the DataVac - USA made all metal hand held dust blower designed for just this.

 

[crjackson2134]

I've been trying to find a way of better filtering the air coming into the Pro, and came across the iSchmutz (http://www.amazon.com/iSchmutz-Mac-Pro-Air-Filter/dp/B00C3N9SUK). Whilst it looks like pretty much what I had in mind, it's $25 plus shipping to the UK which makes the cost start to look a bit daft.

I've been using the iSchmuts for 2 years. They work great. iSchmutz even sent me a second one for free after I contacted them with a question. It really keeps dust down to a minimum. I periodically vacuum the surface of the filter when I see dust buildup on the OUTSIDE. My system stays clean inside so far.

 

[nigelbb]

It may be an effective dust filter but it looks like it would spoil the aesthetics of the old cheese grater especially when all that dust, dog hair & other gunk is stuck on the outside of the black filter rather than hidden inside the case.

 

[crjackson2134]

It may be an effective dust filter but it looks like it would spoil the aesthetics of the old cheese grater especially when all that dust, dog hair & other gunk is stuck on the outside of the black filter rather than hidden inside the case.

One would think so, but that's not the case. It only takes about 15 seconds to clear any dust that has collected and there is no need to open the case, or move the tower. I only clean mine once every couple of months.

Looks are subjective, I think it looks fine.

 

[pastrychef]

I couldn't justify the cost of the iShmutz so I decided to a DIY one using an air conditioner filter. Took me about 45 minutes work and I've been using it for almost two years. One thing lacking in my DIY solution are openings to allow access to the optical drive but I haven't burnt any discs in years so it made no difference to me.

Like crjackson2134, I sometimes run my hand held vacuum cleaner over it to clean out the dust in front and it has kept the interior very clean. I recently changed video cards and there was very little dust build up on my outgoing video card and it had been in there and running 24/7 for about as long as the filter. What dust I did find were extremely tiny particles as opposed to larger clumps I used to find in the past. A quick blast from my DataVac and all was good again.

Aesthetically, I have to say, in my opinion, the extremely dark charcoal grey front facade of my Mac Pro looks pretty good. Personally, I like it more with the filter in place than without.