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thermal paste removal

T

turmania

n00b
Joined
Oct 17, 2004
Messages
63
guys i just bought a new cooler for my athlon64 i used to use the stock cooler which i'm not intending on using anymore, but before i install the new heatsink , i have to remove the thermal paste on the processor, and apply a new one, but how do i do that?what should i use for efficient removing of the thermal paste.
 
If it is thermal paste, then a tshirt(or q-tips) + 91-99% rubbing alcohol.
 
Use xylene based cleaner, (Goof Off and some carburetor cleaners) acetone, mineral spirits, or high-purity isopropyl alcohol, On a lintless towel wipe off repeat until all gone then reapply your new coupound. ;)
 
Some of those compounds are damn annoying to get off (I did some work cleaning up and replacing computer parts) I found that laquer thinners worked well to get the stuff off then just wash with isopropyl alcohol
 
I've always just used some good ole' fashioned rubbing alcohol (aka 70% isopropyl) and a couple of cotton balls... the other stuff might work too, but rubbing alcohol will do the job fine for most thermal compounds.

-SEAL
 
SEALTeamSix said:
I've always just used some good ole' fashioned rubbing alcohol (aka 70% isopropyl) and a couple of cotton balls... the other stuff might work too, but rubbing alcohol will do the job fine for most thermal compounds.

-SEAL
Click to expand...
i'd rather go with a higher purity, that way theres less water and its less likely to damage your cpu.
 
I use acetone. Works like a charm, and poisons the neighbours upstairs. Win-win.
 
I use the little alchahol wipes you buy in bulk packs at the chemist. Like $5 for 100packs. Look like KFC serviets but are really good for cleaning paste and their lint free :)
70% alchahol and 30% paperthingy by weight which is good.
 
jamestime88 said:
i'd rather go with a higher purity, that way theres less water and its less likely to damage your cpu.
Click to expand...

Contact with water doesn't damage your CPU unless there's electricity involved. Just give the rubbing alcohol/water about 30 seconds to evaporate after you've swabbed it dry with a cotton ball, apply thermal paste, and stick on the heatsink.

-SEAL
 
jamestime88 said:
i'd rather go with a higher purity, that way theres less water and its less likely to damage your cpu.
Click to expand...
It's not like he's going to have a wet heatsink once he reinstalls everything... alcohol even when diluted with water evaporates pretty quickly.
 
from arcticsilver.com :

Removal Instructions (From Hardware)
1. Arctic Silver thermal compound can easily be removed from hardware using the proper cleaners and tools. For general clean-up, a cloth or paper towel will work well. Intricate cleaning can be accomplished with Q-tip swabs. An old toothbrush can often get the compound out of crevices that other tools cannot reach.
The recommended cleaners are:

CPU Core:
Use high-purity isopropyl alcohol or acetone and a bit of careful rubbing.
Do not use nail polish remover as it contains fragrance oils and other contaminants.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)

Heatsink:
Use xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.), mineral spiritsm or high-purity isopropyl alcohol.

Remember:
Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be applied over the remnants of the original material.

Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus oil based grease removers and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound.

CPU Ceramic:
Use any of the following cleaners.

Any dish detergent. (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.)
Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher to clean a CPU.

WD-40, citrus based cleaners.

Xylene based products. (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.)

Mineral spirits. (Be careful to keep the mineral spirits away from the core.)

Once the majority of the compound has been removed from the ceramic, small patches remaining on the ceramic can be 'erased' with a soft eraser.


2. If you use any of the suggested products to remove Arctic Silver thermal compound from the CPU ceramic or heatsink base, always do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the cleaner.


Removal Instructions (From You)
1. Wash your hands with any dish washing detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.) rather than hand soap.
(Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher.)
Click to expand...

Should work for any compound.

PK
 
Good Idea, is it high purity isopropyl alcohol?

FunkStar said:
I use the little alchahol wipes you buy in bulk packs at the chemist. Like $5 for 100packs. Look like KFC serviets but are really good for cleaning paste and their lint free :)
70% alchahol and 30% paperthingy by weight which is good.
Click to expand...
 
Here's a question for ya...I plan on doing the same thing as the poster...how do you REMOVE the HSF? I tried once but the thermal compounded fuses onto the CPU something fierce...dont wanna jack the processor. Should I just run a high load for awhile then shutdown and immediately try to remove it then?

Also, I think I'm going to use an XP-120...anyone here know if that uses the factory brackets to hold in? Really hope it does...also wanna know how to attach the fan onto the XP-120 and what the best way is to apply AS5 (razorblaze I'm guessing).

Just asking questions how so I have everything I need to setup a new heatsink.

Thanks
 
tsuehpsyde said:
Should I just run a high load for awhile then shutdown and immediately try to remove it then?
Click to expand...
That's probably the best way of doing it. Run Prime95's torture test for about a half hour, shut down, unclamp the heatsink, rotate in both directions very slightly to break the bond, and try pulling up. Try not to bend any pins.
 
Korruption, how did you attach the fan onto your heatsink? Does the heatsink come with instructions? I just don't see any mounting holes for screws, or places for brackets so I'm a bit confused.
 
I just reinstalled my heatsink 2 hours ago (results the same, not good) and that 91%alcohol just ripped that stuff off right quick. Go with that.
 
Jasonx82 said:
Good Idea, is it high purity isopropyl alcohol?
Click to expand...

No idea sorry, but they're mentioned on Arctic Silvers website so thats gotta speak something about them. They're for medical purposes so i'd imagine it would be.
 
tsuehpsyde said:
Korruption, how did you attach the fan onto your heatsink? Does the heatsink come with instructions? I just don't see any mounting holes for screws, or places for brackets so I'm a bit confused.
Click to expand...
Even if it didn't come with instructions, you should've gone to the Thermalright website and downloaded their instructions .
 
iddqd said:
I use acetone. Works like a charm, and poisons the neighbours upstairs. Win-win.
Click to expand...
My ex's father and I took a tub of acetone out in his driveway once... Threw a match into it. LOL MELTED TUB! My ex was mad, cuz she still had to get her fake nails off after the prom, but at least her dad was as much a culprit as I was. LOL
 
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