What do you use to clean the thermal compound off the cpu core?

[snik]

I want to re-apply some Arctic Silver 3. What can I use to clean off the cpu core? Would isopropyl alcohol work? This is what Arctic Silver's website reccomends. What do you suggest?

 

[chizow]

Isopropyl works fine, I like to go acetone, then isopropyl, then filtered/bottled water. Use Q-tips and short strokes, don't douse the Q-tip or you'll get a runny mess. Rotate the Q-tip after each stroke, as the AS3 will come up, but will still be viscuous and can easily spread to your OPGA, which can be a pain to remove.

Chiz

 

[dew042]

yep. alcohol is best i've found.

dew.

 

[lenjack]

Dishwashing detrgent works great.

 

[Budman]

I use my tongue, that yummy AS2 is good.😛

 

[CraigRT]

clean rag.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

if you want to be super clean, isopropyl

otherwise i just use clean qtip...nothing else lol

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: ChampionAtTufshop
if you want to be super clean, isopropyl

otherwise i just use clean qtip...nothing else lol

yeah, use a clean one... one that's been used and is coated in ear wax doesn't work as well 😀

 

[Shimmishim]

lol... lick lick lick...

 

[Mikki]

one more suggestion...I use carb cleaner, works great, no wiping involved....😉

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Mikki
one more suggestion...I use carb cleaner, works great, no wiping involved....😉

yep, I used starter spray (use in well ventilated area 😉 ) when I was still using Artic Silver compounds and it cleaned up the CPU in moments, then I finished up with isopropyl to remove any vestige of the starter fluid and viola, a perfectly clean CPU. However I no longer need anything so powerful as I switched to Shin-Etsu microSi.

 

[Tbirdkid]

a dry tissue...

 

[BigJ]

First, use a piece of tissue/tp/paper towel to remove the excess crap. The use alcohol on a q-tip to get the majority of whatevers left on the CPU. Then I use a lil' diddy called Goof Off which gets the CPU extra friggin clean.

 

[Nohr]

Qtips and rubbing alcohol.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: BigJ2078
First, use a piece of tissue/tp/paper towel to remove the excess crap. The use alcohol on a q-tip to get the majority of whatevers left on the CPU. Then I use a lil' diddy called Goof Off which gets the CPU extra friggin clean.

DO NOT USE TISSUE WITHOUT CLEANING WITH ALCOHOL AFTERWARDS.

Actually, I'd say don't use tissue at all because it's not a lint free product. It also has lotions and oils in it which will defeat the purpose of cleaning your CPU in the first place if you don't clean with alcohol afterwards. Why create extra steps? Use cotton swabs (aka q-tips) and rubbing alcohol, that will take it all off.

Oh, and to the guys who used carb cleaner or starting fluid, not so good choice... they leave a residue behind, brake cleaner would be the best automotive product to use as it is designed not to leave any residue behind.

KISS (keep it simple, stupid) cotton swabs and alcohol.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: BigJ2078
First, use a piece of tissue/tp/paper towel to remove the excess crap. Then use alcohol on a q-tip to get the majority of whatevers left on the CPU. Then I use a lil' diddy called Goof Off which gets the CPU extra friggin clean.

DO NOT USE TISSUE WITHOUT CLEANING WITH ALCOHOL AFTERWARDS.

Read my second sentence 😀

 

[Wind]

Nail polish remover.

 

[Jeff7181]

Why do people have to make it so complicated? Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6... all you need is a bottle of alcohol and some cotton swabs. This isn't rocket science. $3 gets you enough supplies to clean 300 CPU's in one step.

 

[Killrose]

I like to use contact cleaner on a Q-tip, then inspect the CPU with a magnifying glass before applying my ASIII.