Everyone Has an Opinion
You’ve probably heard it all:
- “Leave your PC on all the time—it’s better for it.”
- “Don’t touch the inside or you’ll break something.”
- “You must defrag your drive every week.”
- “Macs don’t need maintenance.”
- “Dust doesn’t matter—it’s just cosmetic.”
The truth is, PC maintenance is important, but a lot of what people believe is outdated or just plain wrong.
Let’s bust some common myths and help you focus on what really keeps your system running smoothly.
Myth #1: “You Don’t Need to Clean the Inside of Your PC”
Reality: You absolutely do.
Dust is the silent killer of computers. It clogs fans, traps heat, and causes components to overheat — which can lead to system crashes, slow performance, and even hardware failure.
At Big Bang PCs, we regularly clean out:
- Fans
- Heatsinks
- Power supplies
- GPU shrouds
- Case filters and vents
How often? At least once a year. If you live in a dusty area (or have pets), every 6 months is even better.
Myth #2: “Defrag Your SSD for Better Speed”
Reality: Defragmenting SSDs is not only useless — it’s harmful.
Defragging was essential in the days of mechanical hard drives. But SSDs work differently. Defragging them:
- Wastes write cycles
- Doesn’t improve speed
- Shortens the lifespan of your drive
Instead, let Windows 10/11 handle SSD optimization automatically.
Myth #3: “You Should Leave Your PC On 24/7”
Reality: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Leaving your PC on all the time can:
- Be convenient for remote access or updates
- Reduce thermal stress from frequent booting
But it also:
- Consumes more electricity
- Attracts more dust due to constant airflow
- Shortens the life of fans and moving parts
Tip: Shut it down if you’re not using it for 8+ hours. Or use Sleep mode if you want a balance.
Myth #4: “Macs Don’t Need Maintenance”
Reality: All electronics need care — Macs included.
While macOS handles some things in the background, you still need to:
- Keep software updated
- Check for overheating and dust
- Monitor drive health
- Clean ports and vents
- Backup regularly
Macs get dusty too. We’ve opened up iMacs filled with clumps of dust — sometimes worse than gaming PCs.
Myth #5: “Antivirus Is All You Need”
Reality: Antivirus is part of your defense — not your entire defense.
In 2025, cyber threats go beyond viruses:
- Ransomware
- Phishing
- Cryptojacking
- Malicious browser extensions
Antivirus helps, but user behavior matters more:
- Don’t click unknown links
- Keep software up to date
- Use a password manager
- Turn on 2FA where possible
Windows Defender + good habits = solid protection for most users.
Myth #6: “You Need to Reinstall Windows Every Few Months”
Reality: That used to be true… in 2005.
Modern Windows versions are far more stable. Unless your PC is infected or corrupted, there’s no need to reinstall Windows regularly.
Instead:
- Clean your startup apps
- Keep drivers updated
- Delete junk files occasionally
- Let Windows handle updates and security patches
Pro Tip: We offer a Software tuneup service to make sure its all ship shape.
What You Should Do: Simple Maintenance That Works
Here’s a quick maintenance checklist we recommend at Big Bang PCs:
Every 3–6 months:
- Get it serviced and tuned up.
- Wipe down keyboard, screen, and case
- Check for bloated startup programs
Once a year:
- Bring your machine in for a service so we can attend to these frequently:
- Check thermal paste (especially on gaming PCs)
- Clean out GPU fans and PSU
- Run drive health checks
- Backup important data
Always:
- Keep Windows and drivers updated
- Be careful online
- Use surge protection
We’re Here to Help
Not sure if your PC needs a cleanup?
Not comfortable opening it up yourself?
That’s what we’re here for.
At Big Bang PCs, we:
- Offer professional cleaning and servicing
- Reapply thermal paste
- Replace loud or failing fans
- Tune your system for better performance and airflow
We’ve seen it all — from dust monsters to overheating laptops. Bring yours in for a checkup and we’ll make sure it’s running like new.