Dumb, n00b question about thermal paste on the CPU/Heatsink

[Sulaco]

Heya guys,

So I'm building a new PC and while I've built half a dozen or more in the past, I've never had to mess with anything other than stock heatsinks and pre-applied thermal compound.

However, in my latest build, I encountered a motherboard failure after already seating the CPU and heatsink. So I had to remove the heatsink from the CPU, and take the CPU out of the socket to put into my new motherboard.

My question is, is this ok to just reinsert back into the new motherboard? Will the fact that there is some smudged thermal compound already on the CPU and heatsink be a problem?

Thanks!

 

[SickBeast]

It's best to clean off the thermal compound with some alcohol. When you apply some new stuff, put a little drop onto the core (about the size of a grain of rice). Then, wrap your index finger in saran wrap and use it to spread a thin layer of the paste across the core. Next, clamp on the heatsink.

If you don't have any thermal paste and/or are feeling lazy, you could probably get away with cleaning whatever existing paste is on the heatsink, and then use the saran wrap to spread some of the existing stuff across the core. It's not as good but it might get you by.

 

[Rifter]

a coffee filter and alcohol work great to clean old thermal goop off.

Above is good advice to apply new goop.

 

[deeppow]

The method suggested can hold you for awhile. But the problem that might result is capturing an air pocket within the new interface when you replace the heat sink with old past on the heat sink. In the long term buy some new TIM if you don't have some available and install the heat sink after cleaning as SickBeast suggests (rice size dab in the middle of the CPU).

 

[Maverick6969]

It's best to clean off the thermal compound with some alcohol. When you apply some new stuff, put a little drop onto the core (about the size of a grain of rice). Then, wrap your index finger in saran wrap and use it to spread a thin layer of the paste across the core. Next, clamp on the heatsink.

I don't where you kids get these crazy ideas. So creative!

How to apply Arctic Silver compound.

To the OP, make sure you clean off that old thermal paste with thermal paste remover. If you don't have any, Rifterut's suggestion is good.
According to the information on Arctic Silver's website, you can also use something like "Goof off" or "Goo Gone" to remove thermal paste. If you do, make sure you follow it up with a cleaning of high-purity isopropyl alcohol.

 

[schmunk]

The thermal material that comes pre applied on most retail heatsinks contains paraffin and petroleum components. Once heated it melts and goes into the voids of the heatsink material. Rubbing alcohol will not remove this from the microscopic voids in the heat sink material, so the new thermal paste will not make a good molecular bond and will not transfer as much heat. If you dont want to use a thermal paste removal kit, use goof off since it will break down the petroleum bi-products, then wipe with 99% IPA to clean off.

Use Arctic Silver 5 or Shin-Etsu thermal paste.

The reason to apply in a spot is because it spreads out with pressure and is not as likely to form voids (air gaps between the material surfaces) which reduce thermal transfer. Good practice is to push heatsink on and then twist a few times if you can while pushing down.

 

[Maverick6969]

Good practice is to push heatsink on and then twist a few times if you can while pushing down.

Oh please stop spreading fud. There is no good reason to "twist it a few times". A slight twist (just 1 or 2 degrees) only once is all that is recommended by Arctic silver. Excessive twisting will only cause uneven spreading and you will NEVER get an even distribution across the CPU heat shield area that way. FOLLOW the directions on the website as I've noted in my previous reply. They have a PDF file you can download and with pictures so there is no confusion about how to properly apply the paste.

 

[schmunk]

Oh please stop spreading fud. There is no good reason to "twist it a few times". A slight twist (just 1 or 2 degrees) only once is all that is recommended by Arctic silver. Excessive twisting will only cause uneven spreading and you will NEVER get an even distribution across the CPU heat shield area that way. FOLLOW the directions on the website as I've noted in my previous reply. They have a PDF file you can download and with pictures so there is no confusion about how to properly apply the paste.

Thats exactly what I was refering to, guess I should have quoted it exactly so that I wasn't spreading FUD, :biggrin:. Never said to twist it "Excessivly"!
"Once the heatsink is properly mounted, grasp the heatsink and very gently twist it slightly clockwise and counterclockwise one time each if possible"

 

[schmunk]

When installing Arctic Silver 5, does it hurt to gently twist the heatsink clockwise and then counter clockwise more than one time? Wouldn't that help spread it out thiner if you twist while pushing down, to make sure it spreads out thin?

Thanks,
Mxxxx
Reply Forward

Reply |Arctic Silver, Inc./Colin Thompson to me, infoas
show details 10:37 AM (3 hours ago)
Hello Mxxxx,
A little extra with some pressure won't hurt. The twist reduces the
break in time.
Best Regards,
Colin
--
Colin Thompson
Arctic Silver, Inc.
9826 W. Legacy Ave.
Visalia, CA 93291

 

[gregoryvg]

If you dont want to use a thermal paste removal kit, use goof off since it will break down the petroleum bi-products, then wipe with 99% IPA to clean off.

I think I'll be resorting to the Goo Gone and Isopropyl Alcolhol (IPA) to clean off. So 70% or 85% IPA won't work? Where did you get the 99% IPA from? I don't remember seeing that before and I worked in a drug store not too long ago.

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

I think I'll be resorting to the Goo Gone and Isopropyl Alcolhol (IPA) to clean off. So 70% or 85% IPA won't work? Where did you get the 99% IPA from? I don't remember seeing that before and I worked in a drug store not too long ago.

I've bought 91% from CVS, and that cleaned stuff just fine.

 

[Hogan773]

I've bought 91% from CVS, and that cleaned stuff just fine.

The other % is water....so it just depends whether you're worried about getting a little water on there. I'm not an expert but I'm not sure whether it matters as long as you make sure its all wiped off (and therefore "dried")

 

[DNorth]

Do it properly, get some goo, apply with care