Thermal paste

Nocturnal

Hey,My motherboard broke so I had to take out my processor and take off the heatsink,I had artic silver thermal paste on it,when i put the proccessor back in do i need to take off the old thermal paste and put on some new,or should it be ok?

EL_Loco

take the old stuff off and start over.

<science> cracks and gaps will have formed in the old stuff leaving air pockets that won't conduct away heat from your processor should you place the heat sink back on. </science>

Kintarō Hattori

Once you take off the heatsink you should always clean down the cpu and re-apply some thermal paste.

Nocturnal

ok but what should i use to clean the cpu and bottom of heatsink,dont want to scratch it

aaf

Best stuff to use is isoproprynol (isopropryl alcohol). Ask at your local pharmacist for it or try Boots.

duridian

Methylated spirits seems to work pretty well also. I'd say most concentrated alcohols would be ok for cleaning off thermal paste, and they tend to evaporate quickly as well without leaving any residue.

The Real B-man

duridian wrote:

Methylated spirits seems to work pretty well also. I'd say most concentrated alcohols would be ok for cleaning off thermal paste, and they tend to evaporate quickly as well without leaving any residue.

yup cheap & cheerful

aaf

Well, the isoproprynol only cost me about €7 or €8 so that's not too bad. It's used in hospitals so it's pretty good stuff.