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UPDATED - A64 3400 with Thermal Compound in the socket?!

L

LandRover

Golden Member
Just bought an A64 combo from a fellow AT'er. The CPU was shipped in the socket (754). Upon removing the CPU, I discovered the socket was full of thermal compound (pressed into all the pin holes in the socket). I have never heard of this. What the heck? It would be pretty much impossible to get it all out.

Is this anything to worry about?

Edit:
My initial thoughts were that it looked like regular white silicone based compound. Here's what the seller had to say...


I tested it on a vapochill and thats the leftover compound, its used to keep condensation from reaching the motherboard and cpu pins.
Click to expand...
 
That's horrible. If you wind up having to try to clean it out, I'd suggest the following tools: A bottle of lighter fluid, and a soft-bristled tooth brush. If you can find some way to isolate the socket in a pool, using electrical tape perhaps (lighter fluid will dissolve the adhesive on electrical tape, but it will be very gradual on parts that contact the board), submerging that socket in lighter fluid will probably do the trick, if you gently scrub with the tooth brush.

IMO, the above should be performed by the person who sold you the board, after that person refunds your money, including shipping, and pays you for return shipping.
 
Um.. Okay... If you attempt to run it, you could fry your CPU and mobo and everything else attached to it since most quality thermal compound is electricly conductive.
 
My initial thoughts were that it looked like regular white silicone based compound. Here's what the seller had to say...
I tested it on a vapochill and thats the leftover compound, its used to keep condensation from reaching the motherboard and cpu pins.
Click to expand...

Bleh: Sound like what you are talking about?

Thanks guys. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: LandRover
My initial thoughts were that it looked like regular white silicone based compound. Here's what the seller had to say...
I tested it on a vapochill and thats the leftover compound, its used to keep condensation from reaching the motherboard and cpu pins.
Click to expand...

Bleh: Sound like what you are talking about?

Thanks guys. 🙂
Click to expand...


Exactly.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
It's not a problem... but it's definately something the seller should have told you about beforehand.
Click to expand...
Agreed. He should have cleaned that mess up before he sent it to you (unless you are going to use a pelt/phase change cooling system). Note it in his eval.
 
Originally posted by: Megatomic
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
It's not a problem... but it's definately something the seller should have told you about beforehand.
Click to expand...
Agreed. He should have cleaned that mess up before he sent it to you (unless you are going to use a pelt/phase change cooling system). Note it in his eval.
Click to expand...

It's a shame that common sense things like this go overlooked by people. I mean come on... nobody expects to get a socket full of goop when they buy a motherboard and CPU. True it won't effect anything... but that's the kinda thing you tell people before you take their money.
 
Nearly impossible to remove, no doubt. I once removed HS goop from a FEW socket holes by using a solder removal tool. I used only the suction not the heat of course. I really don't know of any other way. Most everything you try will probably just push the stuff farther into the socket.
 
Wow this brings up a few questions of my own. I have been thinking of going to phase change cooling, but I like to upgrade fairly often and I never once thought about the goo stuff being left over in the socket. What do ppl who currently use phase change do when they upgrade and want to sell their old motherboard?
 
Ether / Starting Fluid will cut just about anything. That may work if you place the board upside down, remove the top portion of the ZIF socket, and spray until it is clean letting the residue fall from the board. Would probably follow up with an alcohol wash.

Shouldn't be your problem to deal with in the first place however.
 
Originally posted by: rgreen83
Wow this brings up a few questions of my own. I have been thinking of going to phase change cooling, but I like to upgrade fairly often and I never once thought about the goo stuff being left over in the socket. What do ppl who currently use phase change do when they upgrade and want to sell their old motherboard?
Click to expand...



Never bothered.

Still have my old IC7-G mobo in a box at home.

 
Why does he need to get it off? Its not gonna hurt anything, maybe just wipe off any excess and move on. Fully do agree though that he should have been told in the first place.
 
The guy should have told you about it, but a lot of people are making a big deal out of very little. It's just goop to prevent condensation in the socket.
 
So if I spray paint my board lime green you would'nt mind? It's not going to hurt anything. And if you dont like it soak it in toluene for an hour. :roll:
 
Not saying I wouldnt be pi$$ed if I got a board like that without being told upfront, I would. Im just saying that I think it is not worth the time and effort trying to get it off. I would either mail it back and demand a refund or accept that it wont hurt anything. Either way, a bad eval should result.

@ zebo; why, do you have a lime green motherboard? id buy it, it would look cool in my case! :laugh:
 
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