How to clean thermal epoxy off GPU?

[bassoprofundo]

Hey guys,

I've got a Radeon 8500 from which the heatsink came unglued. I'm going to reattach it, but I'm thinking that it'd be best to get the old epoxy off the GPU before reattaching. I went ahead and lapped the heatsink, so that took off the residue on that end. Do you guys have any recommendations for how to get the residue off the GPU itself? Also, do you have any recommendations for how to reattach the heatsink/fan (i.e.- Will regular thermal compound work, or do I need to get a thermal adhesive like Arctic Alumina adhesive?) Any advice'd be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Use a razor blade to remove it if you can if not you can lap the GPU also. As for attaching it if it has pins to hold it on no need for adhesive if it doesnt then use the adhesive.

 

[bassoprofundo]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, it doesn't have holes for heatsink pins on the sides (why anyone doesn't include them anymore is beyond me). I may try the razor blade, but the surface of the GPU is uneven (the little ATI logo is beveled) and I don't think the blade will get the goop out of the beveled area. I was hoping for something along the line of a safe solvent that will let me wipe it away. Anyone?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

You can try nail polish remover

 

[OulOat]

Someone beat you to it. And don't even think about using a razor blade on something as delicate as a gpu core.

 

[Blain]

"delicate"... ?
Why do you say that?

 

[chizow]

Its fine to use a razorblade. I've used a small flat head screw drive and even a brillo pad. The core is not exposed, there's a (ceramic?)heat spreader on top similar to P4's. Some sites encourage you to lap the heatspreader for better contact. You can work that goop off like bubble gum by scraping and rolling it. Once you've got enough off, work at it with nail polish remover/acetone as someone else mentioned. If you don't feel like doing any of that, I've used duct tape with great success as well

Chiz

 

[Lizardman]

Originally posted by: chizow
Its fine to use a razorblade. I've used a small flat head screw drive and even a brillo pad. The core is not exposed, there's a (ceramic?)heat spreader on top similar to P4's. Some sites encourage you to lap the heatspreader for better contact. You can work that goop off like bubble gum by scraping and rolling it. Once you've got enough off, work at it with nail polish remover/acetone as someone else mentioned. If you don't feel like doing any of that, I've used duct tape with great success as well

Chiz

Yes chizow is right the core is protected with a metal shim. Just get out a peice of sand paper and lap the dam core. Then use some rubbing alcohol to clean things up. But you have to be a gentlemen about and go slow not just stick it all in at once.