question about replacing TIM on my CPU

Kaitlin Kaschak459

Honorable
Aug 4, 2013
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so im replacing my CPU air cooler with an AIO im gonna be using arctic MX-2 thermal paste as well as rubbing alcohol to clean the TIM off but idk what to use to wipe the TIM off with all i have at home is paper towels is that ok or no?
 
Solution
You can actually get away with 75% isopropyl alcohol but it takes more rubbing. Yes, 90% is recommended.

Bottom line is that there's no obvious residue including remnants. Just look closely to make sure it's clean and clear of remnants and you should be fine.

I recommend to most people the PEA METHOD, or the LINE METHOD depending on the CPU. If unsure, I'd just put a 5mm diameter, pea-sized ball in the center then push the cooler down on that (and screw down properly as well; sometimes crossing diagonally a few times to secure uniformly).

Arguably the biggest mistake you can make is to incorrectly line up your CPU before pushing down the retaining clip and then damaging it. That's the step to be extra careful at.
You can actually get away with 75% isopropyl alcohol but it takes more rubbing. Yes, 90% is recommended.

Bottom line is that there's no obvious residue including remnants. Just look closely to make sure it's clean and clear of remnants and you should be fine.

I recommend to most people the PEA METHOD, or the LINE METHOD depending on the CPU. If unsure, I'd just put a 5mm diameter, pea-sized ball in the center then push the cooler down on that (and screw down properly as well; sometimes crossing diagonally a few times to secure uniformly).

Arguably the biggest mistake you can make is to incorrectly line up your CPU before pushing down the retaining clip and then damaging it. That's the step to be extra careful at.
 
Solution

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
Keurig....

Best paper towels to use are the blue shop towels, they are the most lint free, and hardest to tear when dampened with the isopropyl. Recommend that you use coffee filters for that reason alone, apart from the rediculously low expense.

All you need is damp. If the filter/towel is dripping, it's far to soaked, toss it, start over. In this case, patience is most definitely a requirement, basically for the whole process of replacement, and that includes refitting the cooler. If there's any doubt it's clean enough, keep going. One of the reasons I prefer the gray pastes over the white, if the filter keeps getting discolored, the cpu still isn't clean enough.

When installing aftermarket coolers, get all screws barely started first, before tightening any, the tighten slowly in an X pattern for 4 screw coolers/pumps or side to side evenly for 2 screw coolers. Don't crank 1 screw down, then the other or the paste ends up uneven, the cooler lopsided, or even warping can occur. That'll land you with core temps with large differences.