Safe to use Isopropyl on GPU?

[Rooski 31]

I will be changing the heatsink on my 6600GT AGP tomorrow, and I want to know if using 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol is safe on the GPU? Will it damage anything if it gets on any of the other components? I'll be replacing the heatsink with Arctic Silver 5 + a Zalman VF-700 cooler.

 

[aggressor]

My personal experience has shown it to be fine. I've used 70% for the longest time on plenty of different components (CPU\GPU\Northbridge\Southbridge) and never had a problem.

That stuff finally ran out though, so I picked up 90%, which will probably last me another 10 years

 

[Rooski 31]

Well I used the 70% on my CPU core and it seems to be fine, I'm just suspecting GPUs are different from CPU cores...

 

[bREwIn dOdgEr dUDe]

used it last weekend before installing a zalman 700cu cooler on ati 9800 pro... so far so cool... and i have graphics to boot...

 

[Fenuxx]

No problem here. Used 70% on my 6800GT when applying Arctic Silver 5 and my NV Silencer 5. No problems to report here.

 

[winr]

91% here.

Less water in 91%.

 

[Chaotic42]

It'll be fine. Just don't use 30% hydrogen peroxide.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
It'll be fine. Just don't use 30% hydrogen peroxide.

I dont think the gpu will mind it much. You on the other hand... :laugh:

 

[Dough1397]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
It'll be fine. Just don't use 30% hydrogen peroxide.

csi?

 

[SunnyD]

Most definitely.
Iso will dissolve and remove residues and the resins they use on chips are fairly resistant to alcohol. Also, Iso will evaporate rapidly and won't leave mineral deposits, meaning you won't cause shorts on contacts.

 

[VIAN]

I would use a higher precentage like 90% or so. It works much better.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I personally use 99% Iso to clean my chips.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Dough1397
csi?

Huh?

 

[imported_g33k]

Ive used 70% for everything in my builds. I just recently swicthed to 99%. About the only thing I noticed was the dry time was faster and it removed old thermal paste a little better. So 70% is fine you just have to use more of it to clean and wait longer for it to dry.

 

[Deslok]

yes

 

[BlackPear1]

I've had good luck with Goof Off (xylene-based cleaner recommended by Arctic Silver). It's very effective and dries fast - almost too fast.

 

[fstime]

I use it, its fine.

 

[Rooski 31]

Well I did it today, and I gotta say, this VF700 is awesome! My temps underload went from 65C to 52C max. The RAM-Sinks didn't fit though on the 6600GT AGP, they touched the cooler itself. But my slot-fan card should do the trick of cooling everything... A+ for Zalman!

 

[BlackPear1]

Great, I want one of those coolers.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: BlackPear1
I've had good luck with Goof Off (xylene-based cleaner recommended by Arctic Silver). It's very effective and dries fast - almost too fast.

Yup... :thumbsup:

 

[Mojo027]

Originally posted by: Rooski 31
Well I did it today, and I gotta say, this VF700 is awesome! My temps underload went from 65C to 52C max. The RAM-Sinks didn't fit though on the 6600GT AGP, they touched the cooler itself. But my slot-fan card should do the trick of cooling everything... A+ for Zalman!

How much quieter is it?

 

[bREwIn dOdgEr dUDe]

vf700cu makes major difference on sound from ati-stock cooler, i stuck with the 5v-connect for sound and its barely, oh so barely audible it at all... haven't tested the 12v-connect yet tho... highly recommended...