How do you clean the thermal paste on the CPU?

[jincuteguy]

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?

 

[badge]

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.

 

[jincuteguy]

So is the nail polish stuff Isoprophyl alcohol? or where can i get Isoprophyl alcohol?

 

[badge]

No nail polish is not alcohol. Walmart, costs about a dollar for a large bottle of 75%.

 

[Evilonigiri]

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.

 

[halcyon]

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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

 

[bobbknight]

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.

 

[groo]

medical alchohol prep pad

 

[badge]

I keep a box of alcohol pads in my tool box as well as some cotton swabs in a bag with AS5.

 

[ziegemon]

The artic clean 1 + 2 combo works pretty good, but it's a bit more expensive than rubbing alcohol, which works fine also.

 

[Benevolence]

don't use acetone it will melt your PCB board if you happen to get some on it