Clean Your Components Regularly

    Always be sure to blow your computer components out as often as necessary. Dust build up has been something I've come across a number of times and is, more often than not, the main problem with an overheating issue and failure of electrical components.

    When cleaning said components such as heat sinks, fans, etc. Always be aware of simple guidelines to ensure a thorough but proper cleaning. For instance, never use water based cleaners of any sort on electrical components. Use things such as canned air, which are available in most stores in the electronics section, or use your own air compressor if need be. Personally I like to use an air compressor because it can deliver high pressure blasts of air that even the most stubborn of dust can't resist. 
    
    When cleaning a heat sink, just hit it with a few shots of compressed air and this should remove any unwanted foreign material. Always be sure when cleaning a heat sink with a fan attached, apply light pressure to the fan with your finger to keep it from spinning in reverse and burning up the motor. This goes for the cleaning of any fan in that matter. For cleaning a heat sink such as the one shown above, you may have to take a more drastic approach like removing it from its component and actually washing it by hand under warm water. Remember that if you remove a heat sink you are going to need a new application of thermal paste on whatever component it came off of. when applying thermal paste, make sure the area to receive the application is cleaned thoroughly of old applications. Then, apply a bead of thermal paste that is roughly the size of an un-cooked piece if rice and, with even pressure, re seat the heat sink onto its counterpart.