removing thermal paste

[thursday22dp]

ok so im rmaing my mobo so i need to take the thermal paste off. what should i use to remove it?

 

[SkyBum]

I've always used 91% isopropyl alchohol.

 

[thursday22dp]

with with to remove it? paper towel?

 

[NokiaDude]

Originally posted by: thursday22dp
with with to remove it? paper towel?

or q-tips.

 

[shortylickens]

I use several paper towels and soak one with Windex.
The rest comes off easily.

 

[allanon1965]

first question has to be why you put thermal paste on your motherboard, its supposed to go between the hsf and core on the cpu, did you put it on the northbridge chipset?

 

[imported_Tick]

He might have an aftermarket northbridge heatsink/fan.

 

[thursday22dp]

no when i said i neded to remove it i thought i was implying that it was on the cpu/hsf. i heard paper towels can leave residue on it is that true?

 

[ts3433]

I've used a washcloth and 70% isopropyl alcohol (regular rubbing alcohol--I was too lazy to get the 90%+ stuff I should have gotten, as I've heard stuff of less purity can leave residue and stuff) with no problems.

 

[albumleaf]

i used everclear

 

[w00t]

i would use the 90% isopropyl alcohol.

edit : from www.frozencpu.com

"The first step is to clean the CPU and heatsink. I like to clean both using a solvent like miner spirits or Goof Off. Both of these will do a good job cutting through grease and gunk, especially if you're cleaning off some old thermal compound. I use a cotton swab or que tips to clean both the bottom of the heatsink and the CPU core. We only need to clean the CPU core itself. It's unnecessary to clean anywhere else on the chip, since it won't be contacting the heatsink. After I clean up with the solvent, I finish cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol (get some good quality stuff. It should be under $5). I use a lint free tissue for this job, and clean both the heatsink bottom and CPU core again. Just let that dry off before going to the next step."

 

[andy nowotny]

using alcohol

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Originally posted by: SkyBum
I've always used 91% isopropyl alchohol.

And the edge of an old credit card to scrape it off with.

 

[Conky]

Use whatever % rubbing alcohol available and some papertowels or a rag. If there is residue, apply again.

 

[ionoxx]

I don't know if you'll have this, but in Montreal the Transit system cards are like very thin bendable credit cards. They work really well when trying to remove thermal paste around the die. I ususally use paper towel to remove the rest on the die itself.