Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > [Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste

[Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - [Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!

Ask the community Add a reply

Best answer from sirkillalot.

Bottom Search this thread

Ok, I just bought the Tuniq TX-3 thermal compound. I want to replace my stock thermal compund as it is already more than a year old. I know how to properly remove the thermal paste but I can't seem to find a 90% isopropyl alcohol in my area.

The question is what are alternative ways on removing the thermal paste. Can I use 70% isopropyl instead?

Message edited by quattro04 on 09-16-2009 at 09:59:39 AM

Add a reply

lacquer thinner.

goofoff or goobegone works great.

rubbing alcohol.

acetone

ethanol

Alcohol, cue-tips,

arcticlean set

razor blade

Brake Cleaner

mineral spirit

alcohol based hand sanitizer gel

OR JACK HAMMER

Best answer

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to sirkillalot

You can usually find 90% at a drugstore. 70% will work. Avoid anything with lanolin it it. That and a piece of coffee filter or anything that will not leave lint behind.

Reply to jsc

sirkillalot wrote :

lacquer thinner. > my preferred cleaner. Dries fast, cleans well, no residue.

goofoff or goobegone works great. >Must be some foreign substance...

rubbing alcohol. >same as isopropyl 70 % Works OK, but slow and needs some time to let water dry.

acetone >also works great, leaves no residue, dries very fast...

ethanol >why waste good booze? Leaves some sugar residue as well.

Alcohol, cue-tips, >slow, leaves water residue, and cue tips can leave lint. (I prefer old, well washed nappies...)

arcticlean set > hard to get, and too costly.

razor blade > slow, and leaves behind some old paste.

Brake Cleaner > was great, but I think that the formula has been changed for some greenies...

mineral spirit > slow, leaves behind an oily residue.

alcohol based hand sanitizer gel > Might as well use something like wet ones... Too much residue left behind.

OR JACK HAMMER > THAT'LL WORK!

------------------------------ Badges? We don' need no stinkin' badges...!
Reply to croc

Thanks for the replies!! I forgot that acetone works too. Again, thanks for the quick response!!!

Reply to quattro04

i've used tequila, no residue

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by obsidian86 on 09-16-2009 at 05:49:35 PM

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

obsidian86 wrote :

i've used tequila, no residue

I'd be careful with Tequila, especially an Anejo or Reposado (brown) dark liqour is more likely to leave a residue. Ideally I'd use Vodka, but I did use Gin once with no ill effects once when i was out of vodka.

Reply to maniac5999

only use silver tequila,there is always a bottle or 2 of jose at my place

Message edited by obsidian86 on 09-16-2009 at 08:44:31 PM

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

Ask the community Add a reply

Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > [Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 1141 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 0.832 seconds

Focus On

[Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - [Solved] Alternative way on removing thermal paste