CPU

colmtowey

Hi

I am in the process of building a Computer and am using a CPU that i have used before. what i want to know is how clean does the cpu need to be before applying a fresh coat of thermal compound. I have scraped off most of the old paste but do i need to get isopropyl alcohol to clean the cpu perfectly or will cleaning the majority of it off be good enough. I paid decent money for this CPU and don't want to damage it.

Any advice would be greatly received.

Regards

Colm Towey

Dey were Sooted

afaik (correct me others if I am wrong) you would have peace of mind by doing the job proper . Clean with isopropyl and lint free cloths - I bought 600ml for isopropyl last week for €9 something ... if you can't get your hands on lint free cloths then cleaning with tissue/isopropyl and using a blower like photographers use to clean their lenses would probably do just as good ....

Overheal

I bought 600ml for isopropyl last week for €9 something

I feel like I paid a dollar for that much...

either way you should clean it thoroughly with alcohol. Even the oil typically found on a human finger is a bad idea for these things. If you want to imagine frying oil, that's what will happen with fingerprints you leave on the CPU when the thing goes to run. Not saying it will burn out or fry, but your temperatures will definitely be much higher than necessary. Always pays off to keep the cleaning process and the past application process as anal as hell in order to get the best temperatures. Hence why my 6-core is cruising at 22 degrees on average, most i've seen is 43.

DrGreenthumb

I use these for removing thermal paste, they eat through it, one is for removal and the other for prep for new thermal paste,

http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog_v3.cgi?view_product=1&id=24963