Question about thermal grease.

[MageXX9]

My motherboard died and I'm going to put the old CPU/HS/Fan on a new one, but it seems like I've read somewhere that once you install your retail hs/fan onto the chip the thermal pad is no longer good if you take the hs/fan off.

My question is, what the best way to take off the thermal pad on the chip and HS? Razor blade, alcohol & q-tips?

I have some cheapo thermal paste from Radio Shack that I'll put on afterwards.

 

[andy04]

anything is good. try alcohol 1st, razor blade might leave scratches that may lessen the contact area. I always use alcohol but its very important that you completely get rid of the entire stuff.

I would suggest that you use some good compound like arctic silver. its known to reduce the temp by upto 5 degrees.

 

[Paperdoc]

Go to the Artic Silver website. They have good write-ups on how to remove / clean off old thermal pastes and how to apply new properly. Of course, they recommend you apply theirs 'cause it's really good.

 

[Markbnj]

I think the best thing, if it is well stuck, is the edge of a credit card. Stiff enough to scrape it off, but too soft to harm the metal. Once you have it down to a smear use Isopropyl to clean and polish the surface. If you're going with a material like AS5 put a single rice grain sized dab in the exact middle of the CPU's IHS, and then clamp the HSF down on top of it. Works like a charm.