Stained heatsink - can it still be used?

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peanutb

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Oct 22, 2013
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Hi all,

I have a stain on my heatsink (after cleaning with alcohol) as shown in the picture http://imgur.com/BDKI4P3

Is it still a good idea to use this heatsink on my new cpu or should I stick with stock for now?

Thanks for the help
 
Solution
zink1701
Depending on the stain you can use ultra fine wet and dry sand paper. There are tutorials online on how to Lap a CPU heatsink. Start with a 600 grit wet and dry paper then Finnish on a 2000 grit paper. It takes time and patience but if cleaners dont work removing it then sand paper should. It will also give you an ultra smooth surface on the heatsink which is better for thermal transfer.

If its a heat mark on the heatsink then you will have a hard time removing it (if at all) but unless benchmarking and using decent thermal monitoring then you wont notice any real difference in heatsink performance.
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jnewegger23

jnewegger23

Distinguished
Aug 13, 2013
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You can get goo gone for cheap at target or walmart. Try reseating and if your temps are good, your good. Worst case your cpu will throttle and force a freeze/shutdown before burning the chip. Go to stock if your temps are too high. I'm surprised alcohol isn't getting that off.

If you're just not comfortable then order the pro cleaning stuff here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

Just use your stock sink until it comes if you prefer but if I was there I'd just try seating it properly and watch the temps closely.
 
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zink1701

zink1701

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Sep 14, 2012
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Depending on the stain you can use ultra fine wet and dry sand paper. There are tutorials online on how to Lap a CPU heatsink. Start with a 600 grit wet and dry paper then Finnish on a 2000 grit paper. It takes time and patience but if cleaners dont work removing it then sand paper should. It will also give you an ultra smooth surface on the heatsink which is better for thermal transfer.

If its a heat mark on the heatsink then you will have a hard time removing it (if at all) but unless benchmarking and using decent thermal monitoring then you wont notice any real difference in heatsink performance.
 
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