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CPU paste?

C

Chriz

Senior member
Ok i just got an Athlon 1700+ shipped to me with preassembled on an Asus AV7266 with a coolermaster fan/heatsink. Anyway, i wanted to put a new fan/heatsink on so i took the coolermaster HSF off and noticed that there was a big square pink patch of goo on the bottom of the heatsink and a lot of residue left on the CPU itself. Now, my first question is, is this thermal paste? Second question is, if i'm going to put a new HSF on with arctic silver do i need to take that goo residue off and what's the best way to do it without damaging the CPU? Thanks.
 
Yep, rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Just don't use anything hard to scrape off the "goo" (thermal pad) off or you will definitely regret it - you could scratch the bottom of the heatsink. I've use cotton balls with quite a bit of success myself in the past, but you have to make sure you get all the fibers off.
 


<< Ok i just got an Athlon 1700+ shipped to me with preassembled on an Asus AV7266 with a coolermaster fan/heatsink. Anyway, i wanted to put a new fan/heatsink on so i took the coolermaster HSF off and noticed that there was a big square pink patch of goo on the bottom of the heatsink and a lot of residue left on the CPU itself. Now, my first question is, is this thermal paste? Second question is, if i'm going to put a new HSF on with arctic silver do i need to take that goo residue off and what's the best way to do it without damaging the CPU? Thanks. >>



Don't use isopropyl alcohol. The wax based pad is not alcohol soluble and takes lots of scrubbing.

Follow my advisory post that I made yesterday removing thermal mess
 


<< So you're basically saying paint thinner is better to use than isopropyl alcohol? >>


The pink thing is a termal pad. Scrap it off w/ a razor. Remove the remaining residue w/ those mentioned above.

I use nail polish remover..seems to work just fine. Then, apply ASII as per ASII w/site instruction.
 
Btw, couldn't paint thinner easily damage the cpu? If i just dip like a cotton swab in it, will it be ok?
 


<< Get the goo off with isopropyl alcohol >>



I use "Goof Off" on the goo then follow up with denatured alcohol.
 


<< So you're basically saying paint thinner is better to use than isopropyl alcohol? >>



For this purpose yes. The three stuff I've mentioned is not quite the same as paint thinner. They evaporate about five times faster and has much lower odor. Isopropyl alcohol is NOT a good solvent for gooey pad. Isopropyl requires scrubbing, because it doesn't dissolve well.

 
And don't forget the lowly credit card to scrape off that annoying TIM pad. Works like a charm and won't damage the bottom of your HS. I clean with Alcohol and Goof-Off, and haven't had a problem. I used nail polish remover the first time, and it left the HS kind of sticky. Most nail polish removers have other additives to "strengthen" nails, but do nothing for your HS.
 
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