Cleaning Processors

C

Carlosinfl

Loves the juice
Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
6,633
OK - I am trying to clean off some factory gunk (thermal paste) from my 8800GTS and Intel e6700. What do you guys recommend I use? I have some alcohol packaged wipes however they're obviously moist and I don't want to risk shorting out what is to me expensive equipment.

Thanks for any info and help.
 
Acetone works well, but denatured alcohol works and won't leave any residue like Acetone can.
 
don't try to use ethylic alcohol, instead use some Isopropyl alcohol. Now i know that paint thinner is overkill :D
 
I've found that lighter fluid (naphtha) works the best, followed by rubbing alcohol to remove any residue it can leave.

leSLIe: "isopropyl alcohol" here in the US, aka Rubbing Alcohol USP, doesn't actually contain isopropanol, but rather ethyl alcohol and some sort of denaturing agent, most often methyl ketone. Why exactly would using ethyl alcohol (ie vodka?) be worst than using rubbing alcohol?

Also, there's nothing wrong with using paint thinner. It's usually acetone, turpentine, naptha, or a mineral based organic solvent, all of which work wonderfully in this application
 
So what about using Isopropyl Alcohol? Is that going to damage or harm the processors in any way? That is all I seem to have available?
 
I usually use high quality rubbing alcohol. Works well enough for me, even though I haven't given anything else a try.
 
Carloswill said:
So what about using Isopropyl Alcohol? Is that going to damage or harm the processors in any way? That is all I seem to have available?
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No, but you want the high concentration stuff (> 90%) because it evaporates faster and doesn't leave a lot of residue. I got some 92% rubbing alcohol at a drugstore last week, it works like a charm. Target or Wal-Mart or whatever should have the high concentration stuff for like $1. I also use the pads I use for cleaning my SLR's digital sensor to clean, as they're lint free, and the only lint free thing I have around the house.
 
Vertigo Acid said:
Why exactly would using ethyl alcohol (ie vodka?) be worst than using rubbing alcohol?
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the problem with ethylic alcohol, that u can buy in a drugstore, is that it also contains water, 96% alcohol 4% water, 99% alcho and so on
 
I don't know where this whole "impurity" and "residue" bit got started with 70% rubbing alcohol. Yes, it has 30% of water and denaturing agents... which evaporate. Slower than >90%, sure. But it's not going to harm anything.
 
Vertigo Acid said:
I don't know where this whole "impurity" and "residue" bit got started with 70% rubbing alcohol. Yes, it has 30% of water and denaturing agents... which evaporate. Slower than >90%, sure. But it's not going to harm anything.
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i just don´t like the idea of "water" near my cpus ;)
 
I plan on using lab grade isopropanol (2-propanol). I will have the cleanest proc ever mwahahah.
 
A plastic credit card, isopropyl alcohol, and coffee filters are all you need.
 
leSLIe said:
i just don´t like the idea of "water" near my cpus ;)
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Then don't clean the CPU when it's on! Seriously, alcohol rubbing pads usually do it for me, I don't pay attention to the concentration or whatever, just be sure to let it dry or wipe it off with a towel or something. Haven't lost a CPU yet this way.
 
You can buy small cans of very pure Iso Alcohol in the paint section of most bigger home improvement stores. Lowe's, Home Despot, etc....

Alcohol wipes aren't bad, and are what I use most times. Got some from the local pharmacy. Always clean, handy, etc.....
 
Be very careful with acetone, it will kill plastic on contact. In fact AMD recommends no liquid to clean the CPU, heatsink, but very carefully wiping the suface clean. They even have a video on their site as how to do it.

That being said I would use the most quickly evaporating alcohol on the market, because of the inherently possible short circuiting properties of any liquid. I'm sure AMD is just covering their asses, by saying no liquids
 
egh, just use some whiskey it'll make the thing shine :D
 
oboyco said:
nailpolish remover = acecetone, will melt plastic in a heartbeat
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michaLcoughliN said:
no damage has been done to my processors over the years.. =/ using nail polish remover lol..
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what? you mean your CPU isn't made of plastic? :eek:

I just dropped some nail polish remover on my CC... its been a few heartbeats already, and still no melting... :rolleyes:

//edit: ahh, there we go... it takes a bit longer than a heartbeat :p
 
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