Thermal compound change , do i really need alcohol?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Chevy_Monsenhor

Chevy_Monsenhor

Reputable
Dec 2, 2014
102
0
4,680
Do i really need to wipe the old paste with alcohol?
If so , what is the indicated method and what kind of alcohol should i use?

Thank's since.
Chevy
 
Solution
gilbadon
It is highly recommended that you use alcohol. Required, not at all. The reason for it is because there are tiny micro gaps on the CPU where paste hides. If you have old bad paste that has crusted and got stuck in those cracks it will not work well anymore to transfer heat to the heatsink or block

I personally use Isopropyl 90% but anything 70% and up will do. You can get it in the drug/bandaid section of a store for less than $3 and will last you years. I use the stuff for cuts now and do not even bother with hydrogen peroxide even though it hurts much worse lol.
Sort by date Sort by votes
gilbadon

gilbadon

Distinguished
Jun 16, 2008
1,856
1
20,460
It is highly recommended that you use alcohol. Required, not at all. The reason for it is because there are tiny micro gaps on the CPU where paste hides. If you have old bad paste that has crusted and got stuck in those cracks it will not work well anymore to transfer heat to the heatsink or block

I personally use Isopropyl 90% but anything 70% and up will do. You can get it in the drug/bandaid section of a store for less than $3 and will last you years. I use the stuff for cuts now and do not even bother with hydrogen peroxide even though it hurts much worse lol.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
gilbadon

gilbadon

Distinguished
Jun 16, 2008
1,856
1
20,460


While generally true you do not want to use too much, if you accidentally spill some on your electronics, do not worry. It is much safer than water and so long as current is not currently going through the chip, just wait for the alcohol to evaporate which can take as little as seconds in small quantities exposed to air and the system will be fine. Larger spills can be like water and take a day to evaporate if getting stuck in cracks (CPU socket)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chevy_Monsenhor

Chevy_Monsenhor

Reputable
Dec 2, 2014
102
0
4,680


I was searching my stuff here and found half a bottle of some brand new 92.8 ethylic alcohol (this is what it says on the bottle) , can i use this one or should i go ahead and buy the isopropyl alcohol?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
giantbucket

giantbucket

Dignified
BANNED
Nov 17, 2013
3,881
1
15,960
ethylic (?) should be fine too. it'll all evaporate anyways. just don't drink the sh1t. eth is usually used for drinking alcohol. use a Q-tip or something to be safe.

i, on the other hand, will grab whatever solvent is handy. half the time it's iso, the other half it's Remington Brite Bore.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Chevy_Monsenhor

Chevy_Monsenhor

Reputable
Dec 2, 2014
102
0
4,680


If it works, i'll be using it then.
About the name on the bottle , i thought it was a weird name too, ethylic , so i decided to take a look ,it tuns out that the thing comes from Brazil , hehe.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chevy_Monsenhor

Chevy_Monsenhor

Reputable
Dec 2, 2014
102
0
4,680


Let's just keep with the ethyl alcohol deal , hehe
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom