Thermal Paste

[TechNoob]

Hi,

I was cleaning out my PC case yesterday, and lifted up the CPU heatsink.

The paste is 2 and a half years old and all dry and crumbly, so I plan on getting some new.

Am I ok to run this PC meanwhile - CPUID Hardware monitor reports the temp to be 40c, which sounds ok to me?

 

[spockfive]

Hi,

I was cleaning out my PC case yesterday, and lifted up the CPU heatsink.

The paste is 2 and a half years old and all dry and crumbly, so I plan on getting some new.

Am I ok to run this PC meanwhile - CPUID Hardware monitor reports the temp to be 40c, which sounds ok to me?

If you have broken the seal I wouldn't there is most likely going to be air gaps.

Run over to your local radio shack and pick up a tube of Artic Silver 5, clean your CPU with rubbing alachoal and a microfiber cloth then apply some AS5 and you'll be good to go.

 

[geekapproved]

I would not use rubbing alcohol unless it's 91%. 70% rubbing alcohol is 30% water.

If your temps are only 40c, your fine for a few days.

 

[saint19]

Use isotropyl alcohol or normal alcohol with toilet paper or coffee filters, you don't need more to clean the old TIM.

 

[geekapproved]

Isotropyl alcohol? Where do you get that?

Rubbing alcohol -IS- "normal alcohol". I was telling him not to use the watered down stuff. You can get 91% at walmart.

I prefer paper towel to toilet paper or coffee filters.

 

[saint19]

Sorry, wrong keys. I mean Isopropyl alcohol.

 

[geekapproved]

Oh ok, I didn't know if it was typo or some new alcohol. It actually came up on Google but I think it was a typo on someone elses part.

 

[saint19]

Why?