Help! Thermal Compound

[eLinux]

I'm actually in the process of building my computer as I type this. The processor, of course, came with a heatsink (it was a retail processor on Newegg). It's the 939 socket AMD64 3500+.

Now the Heatsink had a thermal *pad* on it when I got it. Unfortunately I touched one of the edges of the thermal pad and left my fingerprint on it...later to read the manual and see you're *NOT* supposed to touch the thermal pad...

Now, I bought Arctic Silver 5 when I bought my computer through newegg, I just didn't know how to properly remove the thermal pad from the heatsink. Unfortunately, though, I already put the Heatsink on the CPU... So I'm assuming it's gonna be a pain in the butt to fix this...

Here are my questions:

How do I CORRECTLY and SAFELY remove the thermal pad that's on the heatsink already? I know that scratching a heatsink is a huge no-no.

How do I CLEAN the CPU? Should I remove it from the motherboard when I clean it? What do I use to wipe it clean? One of the guides I just read online said I should use degreaser? How do I really get the CPU clean and smooth again without bending pins? (i.e., where do I "grab" it and hold it while I wipe it)?

Is it even worth going through all this trouble over a small fingerprint on the thermal pad?

Thanks!

 

[DarkAmeba]

Cleaning the CPU will be difficult. Use a razer blade and your nails, DO NOT put any liquid on the CPU itself. After most of it is off, rub as much of the residue off with dry cloth as you can. As for the heatsink, that's easy. Use a razer to scrape most of it off, then some rubbing alcohol and a cloth to remove the residue.

 

[John]

What is your cpu temp reporting? If it's less than 50C idle you are fine.

If you want to remove the thremal pad, get a credit card and some 90+% alcohol, goof off, lighter fluid, acetone, or brake cleaner to aid in the removal process.

Application Instructions for Premium Silver Thermal Compound Arctic Silver, Arctic Silver II, Arctic Silver 3 and Arctic Silver 5

 

[cy7878]

no need. just get some thermal grease and apply over the cpu. okay to be goopy. it won't hurt the components.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
Cleaning the CPU will be difficult. Use a razer blade and your nails, DO NOT put any liquid on the CPU itself. After most of it is off, rub as much of the residue off with dry cloth as you can. As for the heatsink, that's easy. Use a razer to scrape most of it off, then some rubbing alcohol and a cloth to remove the residue.

Do not, I repeat do not use a razor because you'll most likely scratch the heatsink base, and in order to get rid of the scratches/gouges you'll have to lap it.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cy7878
no need. just get some thermal grease and apply over the cpu. okay to be goopy. it won't hurt the components.

Stop trolling. That is some of the worst advice I have encountered this month.

 

[cy7878]

I have tried it. Have you? I have 15 years of computer building experience. You?

 

[DarkAmeba]

Originally posted by: John
Do not, I repeat do not use a razor because you'll most likely scratch the heatsink base, and in order to get rid of the scratches/gouges you'll have to lap it.

I've always used an old razer, never had any problems with scratches, just keep it flat. Now that I look at my razer though, the blade is extremely dull, probally why it dosen't scratch. Credit card might work better.

EDIT: I always forget my quote :|

 

[eLinux]

Glad I posted this and read everything before I was all done...

Is it even WORTH doing this? I mean...does one finger print on the thermal paste really matter?

I'm kind of worried now that the CPU is probably messy...not to mention I still don't really know how I'd clean it without possibly damaging the pins under the CPU.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cy7878
no need. just get some thermal grease and apply over the cpu. okay to be goopy. it won't hurt the components.

I have tried it. Have you? I have 15 years of computer building experience. You?

You never apply grease over a TIM, and you do not goop it unless you are lazy. Regardless of how many years of experience you have, your misleading advice to a simple question is flat out disturbing.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Fingerprint shouldn't matter, assuming you didn't jam your finger in the pad or rub it around. Arctic Silver itself does work much better than the stock thermal pad, that benifit may be worth the change.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: eLinux
Is it even WORTH doing this? I mean...does one finger print on the thermal paste really matter?

The oils from your fingers "can" reduce the effectiveness of the thermal transfer. In my initial post I asked what your temps were like. If they seem fine then I would not worry about it unless you are anal like most of us enthusiasists.

 

[eLinux]

Okay folks...please...

Trying to build my box here. Positive advice and experience would help

I hear Arctic Silver helps in some cases...but, I'm not sure if I want to go through the trouble now. I also hear that once you use a thermal pad, it's *really* hard to get it off of your CPU...so, now that the fingerprint is on, I'm asking instead of waiting for the pad to melt onto the CPU, since it would be much more difficult to remove then.

 

[eLinux]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: eLinux
Is it even WORTH doing this? I mean...does one finger print on the thermal paste really matter?

The oils from your fingers "can" reduce the effectiveness of the thermal transfer. In my initial post I asked what your temps were like. If they seem fine then I would not worry about it unless you are anal like most of us enthusiasists.

Yah...pretty anal.

Unfortunately I'm not sure I know how to do this (remove the thermal pad and clean the CPU).

I guess once it's on (the pad, that is, melted on the CPU), it would be more difficult to do, 'eh?

 

[eLinux]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
Fingerprint shouldn't matter, assuming you didn't jam your finger in the pad or rub it around. Arctic Silver itself does work much better than the stock thermal pad, that benifit may be worth the change.

Didn't jam it. Very lightly put it on the thermal pad...but I definately didn't get deep into the pad or anything of sorts.

 

[cy7878]

well, the point is you want to get good contact b/w the cpu and the heat sink. The small surface on the cpu means very part of the real estate is important. oil from your hand MAY interfere with heat transfer. No one will know for sure till you start using your computer. Intel chips tend to freeze then reset and causes error massages when over heated. AMD used to just burn (not sure about the new generations) out. Thermal grease costs $2. a small dab over the contact surfaces increase heat conductance.

Unlike what that other have said, I know my advice is VALID.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Assuming your temps are fine, I wouldn't worry about it. I refuse to use stock thermal pads period, and you would see a difference from the arctic silver alone. If theres already goop on the cpu, you may just want to not bother. Whatever anyone says though, DO NOT apply thermal grease over the pad.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: eLinux
Okay folks...please...

Trying to build my box here. Positive advice and experience would help

I hear Arctic Silver helps in some cases...but, I'm not sure if I want to go through the trouble now. I also hear that once you use a thermal pad, it's *really* hard to get it off of your CPU...so, now that the fingerprint is on, I'm asking instead of waiting for the pad to melt onto the CPU, since it would be much more difficult to remove then.

When using the cleaning method I listed above it takes less than 30 seconds to rid the cpu core and heatsink if you have not fired up the PC, and maybe 1 min. if you have already turned the system on so that the pad has melted. The pad is only good for a single application, and since you already have AS5 you are better off using the grease.

 

[cy7878]

people are taking the word "grease" too literally here. Thermal grease / compund is what I meant. $2 a tube at your local Fry's. or $11 for a 5 pack at newegg.com

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cy7878
Unlike what that other have said, I know my advice is VALID.

Which advice would that be? The part about applying grease over the pad, or the part about gooping it on?

:roll:

 

[cy7878]

both

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cy7878
both

It's quite obvious that the proper procedures for applying & removing thermal interface materials is not your strong point.

 

[cy7878]

obvious to whom? you?

 

[Ulfwald]

Originally posted by: cy7878
obvious to whom? you?

It is obvious to me that you are an idiot. Sounds like to me you have 15 years of inexperience. Thermal compound is only used to fill in the little gaps in a heatsink caused by milling. It is not supposed to put on like jelly on a PB&J. the thinnest layer possible is what is supposed to be used.

I build systems every day and use as little as possible. Go spread your incorrect advice somewhere else.

 

[cy7878]

I never implied one should use the whole tube. For the guy who posted this message originally, I sensed he is not going to be "clean and tidy". 'goopy" was an expression.

The purpose of my advice to him is meant as a big picture guidance. Yes, you can be maticulus as one should be when doing a install. Still, not everyone will do what's acceptable to YOU. Having a little more compund is better than a little less. And way better than having the inexperienced to keep taking stuff apart to get it just right and risk breaking stuff.