De-lidding my 7700K: How to best clean excess glue from pcb without damaging it

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pohemi

pohemi

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I'm planning on de-lidding my i7-7700K.
I've ordered a de-lid tool and some new paste, but my biggest question so far is: how to best clean the glue from the pcb on the chip without damaging it?
I want to try to eliminate the excess space between the die and the integrated heat sink before putting it back together, but I obviously don't want to ruin a $300+ chip in the process. I can take it off the bottom of the IHS with a razorblade but what can I use on the pcb itself? Or should I just leave that alone?
 
Solution
Seanie280672


very gently take the top stuff off with the edge of a credit card at a steep angle so it kinda glides across the black gunk, and then take the glue/sticky part off isoproponal alcohol is what I used
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pohemi

pohemi

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I use 99% ISO to clean away the TIM, but I wasn't sure that it would do much to the dried silicon glue that holds the IHS down.

 
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Seanie280672

Seanie280672

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very gently take the top stuff off with the edge of a credit card at a steep angle so it kinda glides across the black gunk, and then take the glue/sticky part off isoproponal alcohol is what I used
 
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Solution
Snipergod87

Snipergod87

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Well its not going to harm the processor, no reason why not to see if it works.
 
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pohemi

pohemi

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Because I'm not satisfied with my CPU idling at 10-15C above my GPU. From everything I've been reading, it can make a big difference in idle/load temps.

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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IMHO, the temp only counts if it is actually throttling due to the temp.
Delid should be the absolute last thing you consider.

But that's just me...
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Delidding is a process that you test and hone your skill on an working, but obsolete processor multiple times LONG before you try in on a brand new, $300+ processor. Seriously. Which concerns you more?

A) Losing a $300+ processor to user error?
B) Being 10-15 degrees above your GPU?

-Wolf sends
 
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pohemi

pohemi

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Well I'm glad I didn't listen to the nay-sayers... I practiced on a Kaby Lake Pentium first to get comfortable with the process, then did my i7-7700K. I replaced the internal TIM that intel used with Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut liquid metal TIM. Had no issue cleaning most of the glue off safely and reassembling the chip.

My idle temps have dropped by 8-10C, and full load temps under p95 small FFTs are 20C lower! I know that's typical of other's results in de-lidding their 7700Ks, but I'm glad I took the risk. I'm definitely happy with the outcome. Now my CPU won't go over 63C under ANY load, and it's being cooled by a Hyper 212X. Not bad imho.
 
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