Thermal Grease

[Vilica]

I've just got a quick question about Arctic Silver 3. I recently got a P4 2.26ghz and am just using the stock heatsink. My mobo's IDE channel was bad, so I had to RMA the board and take out the heatsink and proc. Its been sitting in the plastic box for a bit less than a week now, with the cover on to protect from dust particles, and I was wondering if I should wipe off and re-apply the arctic silver when I get my replacement motherboard, or should it be alright if I were to just put it down as is? If I need to reapply, any suggestions as to what to use to remove it (the 91% isopropyl alcohol?) would be appreciated.

 

[fatbaby]

it should be fine if its COMPLETELY protected from outside particles, but i'd reapply myself

Removal instructions:

Removal Instructions (From Hardware)
1. Arctic Silver thermal compound can easily be removed from hardware using the proper cleaners and tools. For general clean-up, a cloth or paper towel will work well. Intricate cleaning can be accomplished with Q-tip swabs. An old toothbrush can often get the compound out of crevices that other tools cannot reach.
The recommended cleaners are:

CPU Core:

Use isopropyl alcohol or acetone (nail polish remover) and a bit of careful rubbing.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)


Heatsink:

Use xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners.) or mineral spirits.

Remember:

Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be applied over the remnants of the original material.

Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus based grease removers and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound.


CPU Ceramic:

Use any of the following cleaners.

Any dish detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.)
Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher to clean a CPU.

WD-40, citrus based grease removers (Goo Gone, Etc.)

Xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many brake cleaners)

Mineral spirits. (Be careful to keep the mineral spirits away from the core.)


Once the majority of the compound has been removed from the ceramic, small patches remaining on the ceramic can be 'erased' with a soft eraser.




2. If you use any of the suggested products to remove Arctic Silver thermal compound from the CPU ceramic or heatsink base, always do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the cleaner.


Removal Instructions (From You)
1. Wash your hands with any dish washing detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.) rather than hand soap.
(Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher.)

 

[Richardito]

Yes, you need to re-do it.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: Richardito
Yes, you need to re-do it.

Definately clean off the surfaces thoroughly and then apply AS3 (not too much, a notorious problem is to squeeze in on there like jelly; less is better). Pure (99%) Isopropyl is recommended, however I have used 70% isopropyl and it worked fine, so 91% should be great. Just make sure it dries off before you put the AS3 on (since you have some time maybe clean it and put the CPU away, then apply AS3 once the RMA comes back and you're ready to put the CPU back in the machine).