Is it ok to use 70% alcohol prep pads to clean cpu/heatsink base?

[gamefreakgcb]

Hey all, I have 2 boxes of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol 2 Ply pads. I was wondering if I could use these to clean CPU's and heatsink bases. Do I have to get the 99.5%?

 

[middlehead]

70 was all I could find for years, always looked good enough to me.

Actually did a couple of GPUs and sinks with 70 the other day because I forgot where I'd stashed the 90.

 

[Absolution75]

I've used it before. Its not the best thing to use but its better than just using a paper towel to wipe off the old stuff (done that before too, it worked.... obviously not as well as it could have otherwise).


The only thing is that you wait an extended amount of time to be sure there is no residual water left on the CPU/heatsink.

 

[BofRA]

I always used the Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol in the medicine cabinet with coffee filters

 

[wirednuts]

70% is fine. 90% of course is better for this application, but 70% will evaporate all the water just the same, itll just take a few seconds longer. basically they claim the 70% alcohol is better for sterilization, as the water allows the alcohol to stick around just a little longer to kill more bacteria. so 90% is for cleaning, 70% is for killing. but either works for either job pretty good too.

 

[stahlhart]

Hey all, I have 2 boxes of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol 2 Ply pads. I was wondering if I could use these to clean CPU's and heatsink bases. Do I have to get the 99.5%?

You can get a bottle of 91% at CVS for a few dollars that is pretty much as good as pure annhydrous as far as not leaving any residue behind. I used to swear by the latter, but my local parts shop has really been gouging on the price of it lately.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

You can get a bottle of 91% at CVS for a few dollars that is pretty much as good as pure annhydrous as far as not leaving any residue behind. I used to swear by the latter, but my local parts shop has really been gouging on the price of it lately.

Well, that few dollars is still more then this free stuff I have, plus the they are pads with alcohol in them, no need for more cloth or the like (I know, I'm being thrifty )

 

[Slammy1]

I don't think those sterile pads are lint free. I've always used coffee filters and I can get high purity grade IPA at work (when I used to run the MS I could get super pure, but it's expensive and something they'd probably mind me taking a bit home with me).

I think the reason 70% kills bugs better is diffusion gradient.

 

[Spikesoldier]

you can get away with it

 

[mfenn]

It's fine, just make sure that the water is evaporated. I'd test the pads somewhere else first though and make sure that they don't leave a lot of lint behind.

 

[Rvenger]

I used 50% many times with no issues. As long as it dries, you are good.

 

[dma0991]

70% is fine as long as you remove the excess water that is left with a lint free cloth afterwards.

 

[smitbret]

you can get away with it

But, if you are picky and want to be sure.......

 

[Vincent]

I've used alcohol prep pads a bunch of times because they are so much more convenient. I've never had a problem with water, lint, or anything else.