New motherboard, old CPU; what should I do with paste residue?

[Short Bus]

I am changing motherboards on one of my computers and when I took the AMD 64 stock fan off it has old thermal paste on it. I did not have to apply the paste because it came on the fan.

What do I do with this?


Just pop it back on after I switch it over? The paste is still tacky.

Clean it up and buy more paste? I fried a CPU once because I put too much paste on so I am fearful of doing that. I would rather just buy a new larger, cooler, and quieter fan. Do these fans have or need thermal paste?

 

[jackschmittusa]

Don't try to reuse thermal paste or pads. The stuff usually comes off with alcohol, I buy the 90% solution at the drugstore. If it is really stubborn, Goo Gone works wonders; finish with alcohol. Any replacement hsf will need paste or a pad too, most come with it.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Don't try to reuse thermal paste or pads. The stuff usually comes off with alcohol, I buy the 90% solution at the drugstore. If it is really stubborn, Goo Gone works wonders; finish with alcohol. Any replacement hsf will need paste or a pad too, most come with it.

Can't you use 70% too (or it is recommended to use at least 70% or higher)? When I was selling my 3000+ Venice, I used a coffee filter or two and 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean off all the thermal paste.

 

[Short Bus]

What are these pads?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Short Bus
What are these pads?

It's usually the thermal compound found under the heatsink of a retail processor. Found in a nice little square before you install the heatsink on the processor.

 

[jackschmittusa]

70% will work, but since alcohol is the dissolving agent, I just use the stronger stuff. It also drys faster having less water in it.