Tom's Hardware > Forum > Overclocking > Cooler and Heatsinks > How do you clean the thermal paste on the CPU?
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jincuteguy   05-10-2008 at 06:14:55 PM

Im planning to buy a Zalman 9500LED cpu cooler but I have one question before i go and buy it. Right now I have the Intel stock heatsink/fan from the E6750. So if i take out the Intel stock one, the thermalpaste will be left over on the cpu. I heard a lot of ppl say use the nail polish to clean it but will it damage the CPU? Cause I thought any water that touches the CPU will damage it? or?

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badge   05-10-2008 at 06:52:11 PM
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A small amount of Isoprophyl alcohol and a soft cloth will work fine. The actual chip is protected by the housing you will be cleaning.

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jincuteguy   05-10-2008 at 07:03:41 PM
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So is the nail polish stuff Isoprophyl alcohol? or where can i get Isoprophyl alcohol?

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badge   05-10-2008 at 07:05:50 PM
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No nail polish is not alcohol. Walmart, costs about a dollar for a large bottle of 75%.

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Evilonigiri   05-10-2008 at 09:50:32 PM
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Rubbing alcohol will evaporate real quick like, so you don't need to worry. Use a 100% lint free cloth (like 100% cotton) so that lint doesn't get on the cpu which will decrease surface area and so on. Clean both the cpu and the heatsink properly before applying new paste.

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halcyon   05-10-2008 at 10:00:38 PM
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As they've said you can use high purity rubbing alcohol...or you can go for super clean and use this (hasn't failed me): http://www.articsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

...and it smells good too. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835100010

------------------------------ 17" MacBook Pro: 2.66Ghz, 4GB DDR3-1066, 256GB Corsair P256 SSD
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bobbknight   05-10-2008 at 10:21:33 PM
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I just wipe it off with a paper towel, there is no need to get all anti-septic on it.
But if you have something that needs a bit more strength use 90% Isopropyl.

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Groo   05-11-2008 at 06:47:07 AM
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medical alchohol prep pad

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badge   05-11-2008 at 06:59:34 AM
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I keep a box of alcohol pads in my tool box as well as some cotton swabs in a bag with AS5.

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ziegemon   05-11-2008 at 11:32:57 PM
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The artic clean 1 + 2 combo works pretty good, but it's a bit more expensive than rubbing alcohol, which works fine also.

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