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Does alcohol hurt the CPU?

tigersty1e

tigersty1e

Golden Member
I'm planning on cleaning the gunk that came with the stock heatsink fan and puttong on a nice Zalman HSF.

If I get alcohol on the CPU, will it hurt the cores?


Or if I get alcohol on the GPU, will it hurt the video card?


Of course, I'll wipe the excess. Just wondering if the intial contact hurts.
 
it may but what you do is you dip a paper towel in it or lighterfluid and then use the paper towel to clean it...
 
I use high-concentration Isopropyl Alcohol. Costs about a dollar for a big bottle from the pharmacy, and it cuts right through thermal paste.

I recommend putting a few drops of alcohol on a cotton makeup pad or paper towel, then gently wiping away the thermal grease.

No, it won't damage the cpu/gpu as long as you only put it on the parts where there was thermal grease. Soaking the capacitors in it would be a bad thing.
 
This is the thing....

Most of the gunk spread out on the video card processor. So in order to clean it off, I have to apply a paper towel soaked in alcohol and wipe off the sides, which look to be capacitors.
 
Avoid using rubbing alcohol because it contains mineral oil which will leave residue behind & just might cause damage of some kind ... otherwise as long as you wait long enough to be sure its fully dry it won't do any damage.
 
Originally posted by: tigersty1e
I'm planning on cleaning the gunk that came with the stock heatsink fan and puttong on a nice Zalman HSF.

If I get alcohol on the CPU, will it hurt the cores?


Or if I get alcohol on the GPU, will it hurt the video card?


Of course, I'll wipe the excess. Just wondering if the intial contact hurts.
Click to expand...



Use only 99% IPA and microfiber cloths (or untreated utility wipes).

Don't slop the IPA on and let it drool down into the socket area. Dampen about 1/4 tsp onto a small area of the cloth and wipe. Now do the same with another area of the cloth. Repeat until there's no discoloration on the cloth.
 
Originally posted by: ELopes580
Use high quality Vodka. A drop or two for the cpu, then a shot for my tummy. 😉
Click to expand...

High quality vodka is terrible compared even to 60% isopropyl; it's usually between 35% and 40% and contains many more impurities and is more acidic.

OP: Using rubbing alcohol, medical alcohol or high percentage isopropyl alcohol (often used to clean electronics) is best.
 
CPUs are sealed and alcohol won't affect the seal. Just be sure that all the water from the alcohol is dried before assembling things, to avoid corrosion.
 
Using alcohol may make your CPU slur and your video blur. Also at times your PC may shout obscenities at you or the mouse may begin to wander between the lines. Use in moderation and give it a few hours for the effects to wear off and all should be well.
 
I 70% IPA on my CPU & socket contacts for a few times and it always turn out ok. Granted I wasn't dumb enough to switch them on before letting the alcohol evaporate.
 
Originally posted by: Googer
Using alcohol may make your CPU slur and your video blur. Also at times your PC may shout obscenities at you or the mouse may begin to wander between the lines. Use in moderation and give it a few hours for the effects to wear off and all should be well.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::beer:
 
I would let it evaporate, but you will be fine. I?ve seen people run overclocked computers completely submerged in isopropyl alcohol, Mineral Oil, vegetable oil, Etc?
 
I've cleaned all my PC components with... I think it was 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. I've had no issues doing this with a standard Q-tip by dipping the Q-tip in the alcohol first. Q-Tips aren't optimal, but just remember to let it be moist, but not dripping "wet."
 
No it wont hurt. In fact if you use a high enough concentration of alcohol you could drop your processor in the bottle and let it soak for a while without any ill effects (Of course you can't just take it out and pop it back in).

-Kevin
 
from my experience use a paper towel and get it all off than go over it with some Isopropyl Alcohol to make it shiny again 😛
 
I use those iso soaked prep pads that diabetics use the have good alcohol on them and do not shred ol leave small fibers behind.
 
Considering that the chips are almost bathed in flux remover and solvents when they leave the assembly line I don't think alcohol will do harm.

You could use some electronics cleaner designed for cleaning electronics, most are made up of a solvent mixed with ethanol , might as well use isopropyl with as little water in it as possble. Naptha is also really good for this sort of thing, thought it will remove anything that is written in ink on the parts, good for grease removal.


 
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