How do I clean my CPU surface?

[bandXtrb]

There is thermal compound residue all over the surface of my Tbird cpu. I am trying to rub it out with rubbing alcohol , but its not working. The thermal compound is arctic silver 2. The website calls it "slightly conductive" and says the compound should not make connections.

Questions
1) Would it be okay to leave the residue on the surface of the chip? There seem to be some other components on the cpu besides the core.
2) What can i use to remove the residue?

thx

 

[Viper GTS]

What I usually do:

Scrub the CPU with Goo Gone & a toothbrush
Run the CPU under cold water & continue scrubbing until it's clean
Dry the CPU with a hair dryer

Never had a single problem with it, just keep in mind that Goo Gone will remove the shock pads off your TBIrd.

Rubbing alcohol will work, it just takes a while. Don't be afraid to run it under water & scrub it, as long as it's dry when you stick it back in the board you'll be fine.

Viper GTS

 

[Sundog]

<< Run the CPU under cold water & continue scrubbing until it's clean >>


:Q Wow, I have never heard of this!

 

[bandXtrb]

hmm well I'm about to try the water thing... anyone else agree on it?

 

[Viper GTS]

Most people do a double take when they hear it, but I've never killed a CPU & I've washed probably 10 of 'em. All socketed, though, I've never owned a slot based CPU. Not sure if I'd do it on a slot CPU, especially one with off die cache. But for socketed CPU's it works nicely. Just make sure it's DRY. Set it on a hard surface & blow dry it.

Viper GTS

 

[bandXtrb]

ok, doing it...

 

[SilverThief]

I usually use either an art gum eraser or one of my wife's triangular cosmetic remover sponges. Works better than anything else Ive ever tried.

 

[John]

I use saliva to clean AS II and it is very effective.