Cleaning CPU

[jhurst]

hey guys,

Im running a 2.8C @ 3.4 with a stock HSF, and am planning on upgrading to a zalman cnps7000, right now the temps are getting a little too high under load, but at idle they are fine (not using it much right now). When I go to put on the new HSF, what is the best method of removing the wax gunk from the stock HSF? Im planning on using some AS5 with my new HSF, and I just want everything to be perfect, no excess gunk!

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Cheetah8799]

I use a paper towel to remove the thermal paste.

If you are referring to the stock thermal pad thing, then you may want to use a razor blade to get it off. If you scratch it though you should probably lap the heatsink for optimal overclocking.

I'm not sure if the Zalman heatsinks even have a stock thermal pad though.

 

[canadianpsycho]

Isopropyl or Acetone to clear off the junk on the CPU (although 1 of the 2 leaves a film, can't recall which one) I use 70% IPA and it works fine.

As for the thermal pad on a CPU, brake cleaner or some commercial "gunk remover" works really well.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I like to use very high 90+% concentration rubbing alcohol. Zalmans do not come with a thermal pad, but they do include a bit of regular white compound. I would rather use a plastic ruler or a credit card to scratch off the thermal pad as there would be less chance of scratching the heatsink.

Just don't use WD40 to remove the thermal pad. It'll cut through it like nothing, but WD40 will leave a residue on the heatsink inhibiting cooling.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
I like to use very high 90+% concentration rubbing alcohol. Zalmans do not come with a thermal pad, but they do include a bit of regular white compound. I would rather use a plastic ruler or a credit card to scratch off the thermal pad as there would be less chance of scratching the heatsink.

Just don't use WD40 to remove the thermal pad. It'll cut through it like nothing, but WD40 will leave a residue on the heatsink inhibiting cooling.

I hadn't heard that about WD40, but if it will just let you wipe off the old thermal pad, then use that to get it off. Then just use either >90% isopropyl alcohol or acetone to get rid of the residue that the WD40 leaves. BTW, neither isopropyl nor acetone leave a residue, it's that product called "Gunk Remover" that leaves a residue.

 

[Gurck]

Recently did this myself, had to use lighter fluid to get that gunk off, worked great. Used rubbing alcohol to get the lighter fluid off.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I'm concerned about WD40 leaving residue in the little crevices making it very difficult or impossible to clean with isopropyl. But WD40 does remove the pad very well. It melts it on contact. Try it

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
I'm concerned about WD40 leaving residue in the little crevices making it very difficult or impossible to clean with isopropyl. But WD40 does remove the pad very well. It melts it on contact. Try it

That would be completely impossible, if you used a cotton ball to clean it with, instead of a cloth. The cotton ball won't "hold on" to the isopropyl or acetone, like cloth does (i.e.- it doesn't soak it all up, so enough will come out of it to fill any tiny crevices). But thanks for the tip! I will definitely try it the next time I have a thermal pad to remove.

 

[MichaelZ]

Doesn't the 2.8 come with a HSF with only a thermal pad? If that's the case, just wipe the CPU with a non stacic cloth or some paper towel like already mentioned. That'll get all the black crap off it left by the thermal pad. The zalman you're getting, be it the copper or aluminium model, both will include just enough thermal compound for a single application. Unless you plan on taking out the CPU often, it's not necessary to fork over extra for AS5.

The 3.0C stock cooler looks good with a big square copper base but realistically, it's pretty uneffective when running a decent OC. I recently upgraded the stock intel cooler to the Zalman 7000A Cu. It's very quiet and I'm pleased with the temps. Currently idels @ 33 degrees running 1750RPM. 2650 RPM is not even needed unless the room temperatures are high. I would recommend the Copper model over the Aluminium model. Good luck with it :beer:

 

[PCTweaker5]

Isopropyl alcohol will remove the thermal pad too. I removed the thermal pad from my 5950 ultra with just 90% alcohol but it took quite a bit of rubbing with a jumbo cotton ball. Dont listen to lazyboy, getting that AS5 would definately be worth the extra bux if you want the best cooling performance.

 

[MichaelZ]

did u know... Arctic Silver 5 costs $20 per tube here in Aus? I would not fork over 20 bucks for a little tube of AS5 if my HSF was good enough without it. You ppl in the US got it easy, didn't realise that stuff was so cheap over there. Only $5 or so...

heh, it might be cheaper by a few dollars to order it from New Egg and have it shipped to Aus.

 

[PCTweaker5]

That sux lazy! Fortunately this guy is in the US and shouldnt have that sort of problem.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Did any of you guys actually try using toothpaste? It'd be much cheaper

AS5 was only $5 Canadian dollars here. There are alternatives, the new OCZ silver stuff is rebadged AS5 if that's cheaper for you.

 

[screw3d]

Where do you guys get 90% concentration alcohol? The most I cant find is only 70%..

 

[WobbleWobble]

Go to the drug store and ask the Pharmacist for it. It was behind the counter when I asked.

 

[MichaelZ]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Did any of you guys actually try using toothpaste? It'd be much cheaper

lol, i remember this whole toothpaste thing. it drys and then becomes useless...

 

[jhurst]

hey guys,

Thanks for all the help. Yea that does suck about the overpriced AS5 in Aus....I just added it on my order with my Zalman for like $4 extra bucks. I can't wait to get some much needed better cooling to run this thing stable at 3.5ghz+. I can run it at that now at 1.6V (1.57 MBM5 reading), but it just gets a little too hot. GO ABIT!

 

[hytek369]

WD40, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, adhesive remover

all of these work well. WD40 and lighter fluid do leave an unpleasant smell

 

[jhurst]

followup:

Got the Zalman to easily fit on my IC7, no struggles at all there which is always nice. Used some 70% alcohol and a q-tip to remove stock thermalgunk from my cpu, that went pretty easily. A drop of AS5 on the cpu, and spread and removed on HSF (to fill in tiny cracks). Wow....what a difference. Before I was anywhere between 42C/65C......now I am at 38C/50C. 15C cooler at load, I am very pleased . Also gotta factor in Abit's problem of temp reporting too.

 

[zodder]

I use Nevr Dull. Works fantastic.

 

[Jeff7181]

NEVER USE WD40 TO CLEAN A HEATSINK OR CPU. Despite what anybody tells you, it WILL be absorbed by metal... that's what WD40 is designed to do... be absorbed.
Myo... I'm not sure why you think it's ok... it's most definately not.

I don't see why people even argue about this. Just use Isopropyl Alcohol. It's like $2 for a half quart at Wall-Mart... that's enough to clean every CPU and heatsink you'll ever own, and it does a perfectly fine job of cleaning up old thermal pads, and it's completely safe. It's recommended by Arctic Silver, and I'm pretty sure AMD, but I'd have to look it up.

I don't understand why you people want to risk a $100 component for a dumb cause, just use what everyone recommends!

 

[Gurck]

70% rubbing alcohol did nothing to the pad on my stock intel hs, I might as well not have been even touching it for all the good the furious rubbing did. Naptha (zippo lighter fluid) disintegrated the pad on contact. If the alcohol worked I'd gladly recommend it. Can't comment on wd40 though.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
NEVER USE WD40 TO CLEAN A HEATSINK OR CPU. Despite what anybody tells you, it WILL be absorbed by metal... that's what WD40 is designed to do... be absorbed.
Myo... I'm not sure why you think it's ok... it's most definately not.

I don't see why people even argue about this. Just use Isopropyl Alcohol. It's like $2 for a half quart at Wall-Mart... that's enough to clean every CPU and heatsink you'll ever own, and it does a perfectly fine job of cleaning up old thermal pads, and it's completely safe. It's recommended by Arctic Silver, and I'm pretty sure AMD, but I'd have to look it up.

I don't understand why you people want to risk a $100 component for a dumb cause, just use what everyone recommends!

Hmmm, must do some research on whether metal can absorb anything at all... BTW, the only thing I've ever used to remove a thermal pad in my life is a razor blade. They're so cheap, they're almost free, and it's impossible to scratch with a razor if you keep it almost horizontal.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
NEVER USE WD40 TO CLEAN A HEATSINK OR CPU. Despite what anybody tells you, it WILL be absorbed by metal... that's what WD40 is designed to do... be absorbed.
Myo... I'm not sure why you think it's ok... it's most definately not.

I don't see why people even argue about this. Just use Isopropyl Alcohol. It's like $2 for a half quart at Wall-Mart... that's enough to clean every CPU and heatsink you'll ever own, and it does a perfectly fine job of cleaning up old thermal pads, and it's completely safe. It's recommended by Arctic Silver, and I'm pretty sure AMD, but I'd have to look it up.

I don't understand why you people want to risk a $100 component for a dumb cause, just use what everyone recommends!

Hmmm, must do some research on whether metal can absorb anything at all... BTW, the only thing I've ever used to remove a thermal pad in my life is a razor blade. They're so cheap, they're almost free, and it's impossible to scratch with a razor if you keep it almost horizontal.

Interesting story...

Ford started using aluminum engine blocks more frequently starting in the mid 80's. Well... long story short, the aluminum castings weren't great back them, they were very pourous, and they developed coolant leaks. It took a while for people to figure out where they were leaking from, then Ford discovered that the coolant was actually leaking through the aluminum casting. The only solution was to either live with the leak, put a coating on the outside of the block, or put a coating in the water passages. Now aluminum casting has improved so you don't see that anymore... but I assure you, metal DOES absorb fluids... especially WD40

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: Gurck
70% rubbing alcohol did nothing to the pad on my stock intel hs, I might as well not have been even touching it for all the good the furious rubbing did. Naptha (zippo lighter fluid) disintegrated the pad on contact. If the alcohol worked I'd gladly recommend it. Can't comment on wd40 though.

Use the higher contentrations (90+%), you'll find it's a lot more effective.