Moving XP-90 from from one CPU to another

[MJGunn]

Been awhile since I've swapped a chip without replacing the cooler also, but I'm swapping my 3200+ for a 3800 X2 so no new cooler necessary. What do I have to do to clean the old compound (its arctic silver 5, which I'll be using on the new cpu as well) from the xp-90?

 

[StrangerGuy]

Best way is to use Arctic Clean. If not, plain old isopropyl alcohol will do the trick. Drop a several drops onto the base of the XP-90, wait for a minute or so then wipe the old goop away.

 

[nycdude]

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Best way is to use Arctic Clean. If not, plain old isopropyl alcohol will do the trick. Drop a several drops onto the base of the XP-90, wait for a minute or so then wipe the old goop away.

Artic Clean is the way to go. Otherwise, isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Aisengard]

A side note...is it hard to pop off the heatsink from the processor?

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: Aisengard
A side note...is it hard to pop off the heatsink from the processor?

Depends on what socket and HSF you are using. A64s and S478 P4s with stock HSFs are easy, but Socket A/370 HSFs are generally hard to remove as you need a lot of force (and being careful not to kill the motherboard with a slipped screwdriver) to unclip the tight HSF clip. I have no experience with LGA775 P4 HSFs but it seems to be difficult as the holding pins are flushed into the motherboard.

 

[MJGunn]

Thanks for the tips, I'll try to get some arctic clean before my CPU comes. Paper towel ok to rub it off with or what?

 

[atybimf]

Isopropyl alchohol does fine.

 

[ZOXXO]

This works for me.

 

[MBrown]

wouldn't alcohol cause oxidation on the heatsink?

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: MBrown
wouldn't alcohol cause oxidation on the heatsink?

XP-90 is nickel-plated, so no worries about oxidation. Besides even if it was copper, it will oxidize during normal usage anyway.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: MBrown
wouldn't alcohol cause oxidation on the heatsink?

Not if you use the 91% pure stuff you can get for hypodermic sterilization in most drug stores. Chance are the regular rubbing alcohol wouldn't remain on the copper long enough to cause oxidation, but the 91% is gone almost instantly, leaving no residue so I think it's really the best way to go (or at least on par with arctic clean and cheaper to boot) .

 

[Gronich]

Arctic recommend a non-fibrous cloth to wipe the AS5 off (i.e. not paper towels!)

Also I recommend running the CPU under load before you try to take the heatsink off - this ensures the AS5 is malleable before you try to pull the heatsink off.

 

[the cobbler]

heavy-duty acetone applied with coffee filters

 

[Howard]

High-purity rubbing alcohol (>95% should be sold in your local drug mart) and a lint-free cloth. As the cobbler mentioned, coffee filters work in that stead.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: Howard
High-purity rubbing alcohol (>95% should be sold in your local drug mart) and a lint-free cloth. As the cobbler mentioned, coffee filters work in that stead.

90%+ isopropyl rubbing alcohol is becoming incredibly difficult to find the in the US these days, just fwiw

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Howard
High-purity rubbing alcohol (>95% should be sold in your local drug mart) and a lint-free cloth. As the cobbler mentioned, coffee filters work in that stead.

90%+ isopropyl rubbing alcohol is becoming incredibly difficult to find the in the US these days, just fwiw

Really? :shocked:

 

[blinky2004]

Originally posted by: MBrown
wouldn't alcohol cause oxidation on the heatsink?

Alcohols aren't that easily reduced (though it can be done) and are not generally known as oxidants.