Thermal paste removal question

pyrosity

Member
Dec 20, 2004
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Okay, so I was going to go to the local CVS to pick up some 99% pure isopropyl alcohol as the Arctic Silver 5 guide recommended as one of the agents to clean the CPU/HSF with, but the gas prices have shot down and I'm going to be doing some travelling tomorrow so I went to Wal-Mart to get a gift card and get some gas for a great price.

However, Wal-Mart only had 91% pure isopropyl alcohol, so I asked their pharmacists about it, and none of their pharmacists knew that a 99% rating even existed. Well, I'm kind of lost now. I bought the 91% bottle, but before I use it, I thought I'd ask the trusty AT boys what they know about this stuff.

So, will 91% pure isopropyl alcohol do the job? Or should I go elsewhere and get some 99% pure isopropyl alcohol?
 

pulsedrive

Senior member
Apr 19, 2005
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Kensai

Hey, what do you think of that MSI ATI MoBo? That is the same one I have in my system with my A64 Winchester.
 

Concillian

Diamond Member
May 26, 2004
3,751
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I use a combination of Hydrofluoric acid followed by Sulfuric that I get from work. That gets EVERYTHING out.

Seriously though, differences between the cleaners you use for cleaning up the goop? If it's stuck on there that tight, it probably has pretty good interface with the heatsink, which means it probably also has prety good thermal transfer. I can't believe some of the products people sell these days.

(oh, and really I use whatever alcohol I have lying around the house, either denatured ethanol or IPA)

Personally, I don't think the % of alcohol really matters either, since the rest is water, which is not really harmful. Aside from 70% IPA taking an extra 3 seconds to dry out than 91% IPA or denatured ethanol (essentially 100%), I don't really give any advantage to either, I use whatever I come across first. Usually the denatured ethanol because it's always where I put it in the garage, my fiance never decides that she found a better place for it that where I've been putting it.