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Thermal Paste In Mobo CPU socket :(

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ashmista   05-29-2008 at 02:36:56 PM

Hey Guys

I've gone and done the stupid thing and got some thermal paste on my motherboard's cpu socket.

I have two possible fixes I can do and a 3rd I need your advice on:
1) tediously removing it with a needle.
2) using isopropyl and cloth or a swab what would be the technique in this without bending pins? though it would take me a couple of days to get my hand on this substance)

And possible 3rd) mineralised methylated spirit?!?

would the spirit work? if so how would I use it?

Also I think I may have bent a pin :| how would I fix this?

Thanks :)

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JDocs   05-29-2008 at 02:54:53 PM
- 0 +

I don't think the methylated spirits would be a good option. Alcohol is used as a cleaning agent thansk to its corrposive properties...

The pin, I've done that once or twice. :) Just use a pair of tweasers.

Reply to JDocs
jtt283   05-29-2008 at 02:56:44 PM
- 0 +

Is this a Socket 775 board?
The pin you may be able to straighten with a needle or a toothpick.
I would not risk misaligning the pins by rubbing on them with anything. I would take the mobo out of the case, then first get as much off as possible using something like a toothpick or a small paintbrush (possibly dipped in 91% isopropyll alcohol), and then I would turn it on its side and thoroughly irrigate it with 91% alcohol using something like a squirt-gun. Then give it plenty of time to dry off before re-building outside of the case to test it, then replacing it in the case.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
jtt283   05-29-2008 at 03:04:21 PM
- 0 +

Alcohol is used as a cleaning agent because many "impurities" readily dissolve in it. Sold as "rubbing" alcohol, I would not worry about it being corrosive. It's not battery acid.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
byrddogg77   05-29-2008 at 03:30:00 PM
- 0 +

The last time I seen someone get thermal paste in their CPU socket, they cleaned it out best they could, but when they mounted their CPU it got fried. I might recommend just getting a new motherboard to replace it before you have to buy a new Motherboard & a new CPU.

GL

Reply to byrddogg77
dragoncyber   05-29-2008 at 04:01:40 PM
- 0 +

Use standard rubbing alcohol,very smalll amounts at a time on a fine bristle #1 or even #0 paint brush(usually found in a hobbie shop or art store).

You will need a couple of these brushes, and also some Q-tip brand cotton q-tips, the reasoning behind this is because other brands shread to much once wet. You will use this to absorb (gently) the dirty alcohol once applied to the thermal grease.

Gently direct the thermal grease out of the pins with the brushes first and swab it up with the Q-tips. Never spray anything into your board, as the forced moisture may find it's way inside of a crevice that it won't be allowed to dry quickly.

This is a tedious process, and must be performed gently and very cleanly done. Do not turn on your board until after you have looked at the socket with a magnifying glass and have certified that it is completely clean and dry.

Good Luck!

Reply to dragoncyber
jevon   05-29-2008 at 04:05:21 PM
- 0 +

I was going to say the same thing as byrddogg77.. friend lost a CPU this way unfortunately just over a year ago. If you have an old CPU lying around definately test with that first. But if it's a new CPU then I don't know if I'd risk it, esp if the paste is not a 'non conductive/electric' brand (ie not MX-2 or something like that). Might be able to RMA the board if you're sneaky about it and depending on where/when you got it.

Good luck!

Reply to jevon
jtt283   05-29-2008 at 04:32:26 PM
- 0 +

Jevon, are you advocating dishonesty?

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
jonmb78   05-29-2008 at 09:20:16 PM
- 0 +

I'm just going to hope you weren't using a silver based, conductive paste.

Reply to jonmb78
Tatts   05-29-2008 at 09:49:57 PM
- 0 +

DO NOT use rubbing alcohol! Use at least 91% isopropyl alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol is about 70% isopropyl alcohol with 30% water and oils mixed in with it. The oils are for lubricating the skin (for rubbing/massage, hence the name). You don't want to leave oil deposits where you can't get at them. And that much water might take a long time to dry in small places.

I don't even know if isopropyl alcohol will work at all; it's not a universal solvent. Call an electronics repair shop and ask what they use. There are sprays used for cleaning electronics that won't harm components.

But whatever you do, don't use rubbing alcohol.

Reply to Tatts
tkuhl87   05-29-2008 at 09:57:39 PM
- 0 +

What about Everclear? haha....I think that's atleast 95% alcohol

Reply to tkuhl87
jtt283   05-29-2008 at 10:05:06 PM
- 0 +

Yeah, forgot some of the "rubbing" ones might have other stuff in them. Use the 91% isopropyll. Most pharmacies ("chemists" in the U.K.) should have it.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
halcyon   05-29-2008 at 11:31:55 PM
- 0 +

I got a dab of AS5 of my Rampage Formula's CPU socket and I was able to dab off the AS5 with cotton swab (spelled Q-Tip) with little bit of rubbing alcohol on it. The CPU has worked as prescribed ever since.

------------------------------ 17" MacBook Pro: 2.66Ghz, 4GB DDR3-1066, 256GB Corsair P256 SSD
 Reply to halcyon
ashmista   05-29-2008 at 11:47:45 PM
- 0 +

Their mobos and cpus have fried? Ouch well i've read in loads of places and with proper cleaning its been fine, see the trouble with replacing the board is its a £180 board so a no no there, i have and old skt 775 cpu laying around i could test it with after cleaning.

So the best choice would be using a really small paint brush dipped in isopropyl?

Then irrigating it? Hmmm wouldn't corrode anything would it?

Thanks guys

Reply to ashmista
jtt283   05-29-2008 at 11:52:42 PM
- 0 +

Yes; the forceful irrigation with more 91% isopropyll is only to the extent required to remove any remaining thermal paste you couldn't get with the brush.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
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