Cleaning CPU and H/S

[Waylay00]

Quick question about cleaning CPU - Do I have to take the CPU out of the socket to clean any thermal pad/paste from it with alcohol? Sorry if it is a stupid question, I'm just very cautious.

 

[stevty2889]

I usualy take mine out to clean it, since it's easy enough to do with the heatsink off anyway, but I have also left it in sometimes. As long as you aren't spilling the alcohol all over the motherboard you should be fine..