How to remove compound on CPU?

[BlackDragon8303]

2 things guys.....I got a CPU...Tbird 900mhz, going to put a FOP38 on it, w/ ARctic Silver.....Had some radio gunk on it....not much is on the CPU itself...jhust a tiny bit near the edges and a tad on the core....should I remove it? If so what with? Napkin? Nail polish?

Also, those 4 pads on the cpu itself, little black pads on each corner, one of them has leveled off with the cpu itself, being lower then the other 3, should I cut the others to level it down so that when I lay the HSF it is completely level? Thanks guys!

 

[BlackDragon8303]

bump

 

[bacillus]

<< ....should I remove it? >>


Absolutely yes! use some rubbing alcohol or acetone to assist removal.
clean up both the cpu core &amp; HSF mating surface.
don't apply or spread the arctic silver with your bare finger pulp as skin scales &amp; oil will contaminate it.

 

[Dan]

I spray on a little bit of a WD-40 equivalent. It dissolves that crap and then you wipe it dry.