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Can I use a regular 'house fan' to keep my computer cool?

Last response: in Overclocking
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I'm not sure exactly where this would go since I just joined.

But I just took apart my entire tower-unplugged cords, took the heat sink off to clean it out.
Under it I found this 'goo ' that seemed to be bad so I wiped it off. Then after getting online on my iPad, it says that it was thermal paste, and needed.

I'm not sure if my neighbor that knows about computers has any, and if he doesn't I will have to order some via the Walmart.com website and have it shipped here, and that could take several days.

Is it possible to use an external fan (like a box fan) aimed at the open side? It's cold here took so would that help? (I don't have a heater either).

Or if I have to wait until Wednesday when I get the cash, is there something using materials I have at home I could use? I heard pennies, but not how they would be used, and tin/aluminum fol too, but as a temp fix.

This solution would need to last about two weeks.

THERE IS A HEAT SINK ON THERE WITH THE FAN, ITS JUST THE THERMAL PASTE GOT WIPED OFF

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I've read a few replies from this site, and others saying that it could work, and some have done it for up to a year. I need my computer for Christmas present making (patterns for stuff I'm making are on there, using them on my iPad is not a workable option).
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Overclocking Expert

Go to radioshack, they usually carry some TIM in the misc. electronics spot for about five bucks. It's not good stuff, but it will work.

Those methods you listed will not work. The problem is that the heat has to be transferred to the heatsink. Using another surface like a penny will hinder it even worse and that processor will fry as soon as you power it on. I've seen it happen before. A Processor without a heatsink (which is closely comparable to having no thermal paste) literally burnt itself up within seconds of hitting the power button.
Overclocking Expert

Exactly, just because you place it on the processor doesn't mean it will transfer the heat properly to that heatsink. That is what thermal paste is made for. It helps the heatsink transfer heat from the CPU to itself. Without it; the processor will eventually fry because of the inability to transfer heat away from itself fast enough. There is no replacement for it; and you have to have it. Like I said, find a radio shack, best buy, microcenter, or even some Staples/Officemax stores carry thermal paste. If you need your computer now, it's going to be the fastest remedy that will actually work and save you from a dead CPU.
Overclocking Expert

If that's your only option; then I say go with it. Just don't use that system until you do get some thermal paste on it. And before you apply any of it, learn how to properly apply it. It doesn't take a ton of the paste to work but putting too much can be a big problem as well.

There's maybe one local shop that's still open according to google. The neighbor I asked said that the closest place that may have some is about 30 miles away, and I know Staples 79 miles away would have it.

My town is really small, maybe 600 people, tops.

Little town called Grannis,, AR.
I could get the 'cheap stuff'...about how long would one application work? And should I use the fan mentioned in addition to the paste just in case? Instead of what I was going to get for my birthday (which happens to be the 30th), maybe I could ask for some of the Artic Silver-that's the really good stuff, right ?

You have a radio shack within 20 miles of you, two of them in fact. A lot of radio shacks carry decent thermal paste. Or you could drive to Texarkana to best buy or staples and get some Antec Formula 7 for $15. It's better than AS5 and you could have it today or tomorrow. Check out the local RadioShack and get the best stuff they have, unless you don't mind driving an hour to get the good stuff.
Overclocking Expert

Any thermal paste/compound will suffice. I doubt you're doing any overclocking or torture testing so as long as it's made for a processor, it will do just fine. Just find somewhere to get it, go grab it and you'll be up and running in no time.
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