Need how-to on thermalpad removal

[imported_Technomancer]

I want to switch my stock HSF with the Zalman 7700 AlCu and I need to know the proper ways to remove the thermal pad from the processor and treat the processor/Zalman before applying Arctic Silver 5. I only used the stock HSF because I wanted to check to make sure the CPU worked like it was supposed to before I voided my warranty over a problem that might turn out not to be my fault at all. As you might imagine, a HSF running 1400 RPM's is far preferable to one running at 6,000 RPM's.

 

[jdogg707]

This stuff works miracles for me, I wouldn't do a job without it anymore. If you want the homebrew method, some rubbing alcohol and a hair dryer should work pretty well in helping you remove the pad.

 

[imported_Kensai]

99% Isopropyl alcohol and paper towel.

 

[Zepper]

Scrape the majority off with a plastic tool like an expired credit card - the plastic knife they used to give with breakfast at MickeyD's works very well for this. Remove the rest with lighter fluid (naphtha) often sold under Zippo, Ronsonol or generic brands - followed by a rubbing alcohol rinse. You can use coffee filters for wiping/drying as they are lint-free and cheap. Costs much less than the Arctic Clean stuff and works equally well.

.bh.

 

[CheesePoofs]

SHould you take the processor out for the cleaning or leave it in the motherboard? If you do take it out, what is the best thing to place it on so that you don't bend the pins?

 

[Zepper]

Take the CPU out so as to avoid getting solvent all over the mobo. If you don't have a piece of antistatic foam (many mobos come with a sheet of it in the box) to set it on, use a double layer of aluminum foil on top of a piece of ordinary foam.

.bh.

 

[imported_Technomancer]

Would a 70& isopropyl 30% water solution work? Its all I could find. Apparently the pharmacy doesn't carry isopropyl alchohol anymore, they only had a 90% solution ethyl which I don't think is what I need.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: Technomancer
Would a 70& isopropyl 30% water solution work? Its all I could find. Apparently the pharmacy doesn't carry isopropyl alchohol anymore, they only had a 90% solution ethyl which I don't think is what I need.

You might try asking the people who work there, but if they still don't have any then it'll be fine as long as the CPU is *perfectly* dry when you apply thermal compound and start up the system.

 

[Zepper]

90% ethanol would work just as well as isopropyl. And 70% rubbing alcohol which is also usually isopropyl but could be ethanol too works just fine as long as there are no additives like glycerine or wintergreen oil.

.bh.

 

[imported_Technomancer]

Ok, it looks like I can go with the 70% isopropyl since the other 30% is water. Now it looks like I'm also going to change out the stock HSF on my motherboard as well with a Zalman heatsink, will the Isopropyl be safe for that too if there's thermal compound to remove from the mobo?

 

[Zepper]

Sure.

.bh.

 

[c1001]

You can also use a polish remover/acetone type product. Works great. Better than alcohol I've found.