How to clean off thermal compound

[YoYoBabyYo]

What do I use to clean off the artic silver 5 off my cpu? I read somewhere that I should use acetone or rubbing alcohol. If I use acetone, are those normally sold as nail polish remover?

 

[Markbnj]

Just use alchohol. I'm not confident that acitone wouldn't attack something on the board, like the plastic of the socket.

 

[evilharp]

Arctic Silver has some great instructions (removal and application) here: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

I always use alcohol, and it does a great job.

 

[Mucker]

Best way for me is to run the machine hard for 10 minutes and then shut it down. The heat sink will come off very easy with a few twists, and then wipe the HSF off with a cloth. AS5 comes off pretty easily when it is warm. I leave the cpu in the socket and wipe it off with a cloth also. Again, it comes off pretty easily when it is warm, just don't let it sit too long or it hardens up and can be difficult. Clean the surfaces with rubbing alcohol/Q-tips and there as good as new....

m

 

[YoYoBabyYo]

Thanks for the replies. I was worried about having to go to my local drug store to purchase a bottle of nail polish remover.