Need to remove thermal paste from bottom of CPU

[PCJake]

As I was cleaning the thermal paste off of my old Q6600, I noticed that I got a bit of Arctic Silver 5 on the bottom of the CPU. It's a very small amount, and I'm not even planning on using the Q6600 again for a while, but I would like to clean it before I put it in storage. Here's a picture I took that shows the problem: http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x312/PCJake/Q6600ThermalPaste.jpg

What would you guys recommend for getting the paste off the bottom of the CPU? Is isopropyl alcohol safe?

 

[SpeedTester]

IPA will work great & a q-tip or lint free rag and it will be cleaned up like new.

 

[KingerXI]

I use Arctic Silver ArtiClean remover and purifier, and it has always worked perfectly for me. $6 plus shipping here. You can find it on Ebay as well.

 

[KingerXI]

http://www.outletpc.com/c2029.html

 

[Dadofamunky]

Alcohol is just fine and there's no need to buy an aftermarket product.

 

[thescreensavers]

Alcohol is just fine and there's no need to buy an aftermarket product.

This

 

[PCJake]

Alcohol is just fine and there's no need to buy an aftermarket product.

Is a Q-Tip OK to use? I don't want to leave little threads all over the bottom of my CPU.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Is a Q-Tip OK to use? I don't want to leave little threads all over the bottom of my CPU.

It should be, just keep it away from the capacitors (I believe) in the middle. It can get stuck on and shredded by those.

If it does leave behind little pieces of lint, just let it dry completely and blow them away with compressed air.

 

[PCJake]

It should be, just keep it away from the capacitors (I believe) in the middle. It can get stuck on and shredded by those.

If it does leave behind little pieces of lint, just let it dry completely and blow them away with compressed air.

OK, I'll do that. Thanks.

 

[sandorski]

Alcohol is just fine and there's no need to buy an aftermarket product.

Yup. Yesterday I used some Cologne I don't much care for and it worked very well.

 

[formulav8]

I just use alittle spit and paper cloth. Never a problem out of more than a 1000 computers so far

Edit: As others have said those aftermarket cleaning products does no better than a regular alcohol based solution would do. So don't buy those unneeded products...


Jason

 

[aigomorla]

Edit: As others have said those aftermarket cleaning products does no better than a regular alcohol based solution would do. So don't buy those unneeded products...


Jason

Di methyl Ketone or Di chloral ether, is much much greater then ethy alcohol. (which is basically artic clean.. its a dimethyl or dichloro variant of ketone or ether.)

But Di Methyl Ketone will also bleach your jeans white if u spill it on it.

 

[ehume]

You like DMK better than MEK?

 

[taltamir]

http://www.outletpc.com/c2029.html

+1... this works amazingly well.

 

[JAG87]

jesus christ you guys are so anal about this shit. rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.

 

[Rubycon]

Brakleen works well and is cheap. (plus it smells nice too! )

 

[Axon]

Rubbing alcohol, soft bristled toothbrush or coffee filters, rub lightly, let dry for about 15 minutes. You only run into issues if you bend a pin.

 

[taltamir]

jesus christ you guys are so anal about this shit. rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.

whats anal about using a cleaning material that works?

drip a few drops, wait one minute, swipe with a paper towel, put the neutralizer, and swipe with a paper towel.
Its fast, its easy, and it is very very effective.

 

[MagickMan]

Because it isn't needed. Alcohol > coffee filter > done.

I do recommend IPA >90%, just to cut down on the amount of water in it.

 

[taltamir]

I find it to work better than alcohol.
also, what makes you think I have coffee filters?

 

[CraigRT]

Alcohol on the CPU is good.

I have used nail polish remover (Acetone) on heatsinks and things like that, but not on the CPU where it could get on the PCB. I've never had a problem using NPR on metals like heatsinks, copper, alum, etc. Although I know not all are the same "ingredients"

 

[ehume]

Coffee filters are very cheap at Walmart, for lots.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Yup. Yesterday I used some Cologne I don't much care for and it worked very well.

LOL. With the added benefit that your computer has that musky manly smell!

 

[ehume]

LOL. With the added benefit that your computer has that musky manly smell!

. . . that he doesn't much care for.

 

[sandorski]

. . . that he doesn't much care for.

hehe. Didn't use much and the scent didn't last long, mainly because it's a cheap knockoff Cologne.