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Articlean vs. Isopropyl Alcohol: How much difference does it make?

M

mshan

Diamond Member
Does using a dedicated cleaner such as Articlean make a significant difference from just using isopropyl alcohol to clean off old thermal paste?

If so, is the difference seen only at peak load temps (overclocked system) or does it also show up in general usage and at idle on a non-overclocked system?

Also, is is safer / better to remove a cpu heat sink on a warm system (just powered down and disconnected from power) or completely cold system (powered down, disconnected) where the thermal paste may have resolidified?
 
I personally use 91% alcohol. And I find it easier to remove the HS after a few mins of the system being on. Eliminates ripping the cpu out of the socket. My friends once ripped the core of an AMD cuz the AS was cold and just pulled the sucker right out.
 
Isopropyl alcohol has always done a great job for me. I get the 91% pure stuff at Walgreen's Drug Store. I definitely remove the heatsink when my processor is warm immediately after powering down. I use a clean handkerchief with isopropyl alcohol dabbed on a corner of it, rub your heatsink and processor gently and firmly, let dry, and your good to go. I've done this about 7 or 8 times, and it works for me. I wouldn't waste my money on the dedicated cleaner.
 
If there is a difference between the two cleaners, would you expect it only to show up at the extremes (i.e. full load temps, possibly overclocked)?
 
I use alcohol. No problems. I would remove the heatsink after you just shutdown the PC and unplugged it.
 
Originally posted by: mshan
Does using a dedicated cleaner such as Articlean make a significant difference from just using isopropyl alcohol to clean off old thermal paste?

If so, is the difference seen only at peak load temps (overclocked system) or does it also show up in general usage and at idle on a non-overclocked system?

Also, is is safer / better to remove a cpu heat sink on a warm system (just powered down and disconnected from power) or completely cold system (powered down, disconnected) where the thermal paste may have resolidified?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with Articlean, but the important thing would be what's in it?

Many cleaners have additives (petroleum oils, geletins etc) which will get into the microscopic pits in the cpu and HS. These will serve to hinder the thermal transfer properties of the TIM and result in poorer cooling performance.


Fern
 
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