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Cleaning Thermal Paste?

I am going to be applying new thermal paste to my CPU, however I need to clean both the CPU and the CPU Heatsink of the old paste. Do I need to use a specific item or can I just use say tissues or toilet paper?

Cheers & Best Regards,

Arcapse

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Use a linen cloth and a cleaning alcohol preferably 75% or higher.

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You can just use rubbing alcohol and toilet paper. Just make sure that you don't have any fibers left over on the CPU/cooler when you're done.

I like the color scheme of Noctua fans. Deal with it. Forget about the bad memories of the past.


"wunder you really are as straight as a rainbow" - Lanoi "can I fisterino your nose" - WunderWuffle


Forget about the bad memories of the past, take the good ones along with you through the present, and look forwards to the good things that will come in the future.

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99% isopropyl alcohol and tissue paper.

After removing, clean with a Lint-free cloth

I think i just quoted linus

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You will need some kind of solvent (like rubbing alcohol, or even nail varnish remover!) to clean the old paste off and a microfiber cloth so that no residue (from tissues etc) is left behind 

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i bought some specific cleaner for like 5 bucks. works perfect, i have no ragreds.

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Why do I need a solvent?

Cheers & Best Regards,

Arcapse

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Why do I need a solvent?

The alcohol makes removing the paste much easier, and leaves the surface cleaner.

I like the color scheme of Noctua fans. Deal with it. Forget about the bad memories of the past.


"wunder you really are as straight as a rainbow" - Lanoi "can I fisterino your nose" - WunderWuffle


Forget about the bad memories of the past, take the good ones along with you through the present, and look forwards to the good things that will come in the future.

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The alcohol makes removing the paste much easier, and leaves the surface cleaner.

Do I have to use alcohol then?

Cheers & Best Regards,

Arcapse

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Do I have to use alcohol then?

You can use perfume. Just kidding, why can't you get alcohol.

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You can use perfume. Just kidding, why can't you get alcohol.

Just don't have it at hand right now, and I am borrowing some thermal paste from a friend.

Cheers & Best Regards,

Arcapse

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If you cant use a chemical, you can just use a micro-fibre cloth if the compound is dried out. I've done it myself and it works surprisingly well. If the compound isn't dry though, I'd still use alcohol.

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Just don't have it at hand right now, and I am borrowing some thermal paste from a friend.

White spirit? Nail polish remover might work.

Location: Kaunas, Lithuania, Europe, Earth, Solar System, Local Interstellar Cloud, Local Bubble, Gould Belt, Orion Arm, Milky Way, Milky Way subgroup, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster, Laniakea, Pisces–Cetus Supercluster Complex, Observable universe, Universe.

Spoiler

12700, B660M Mortar DDR4, 32GB 3200C16 Viper Steel, 2TB SN570, EVGA Supernova G6 850W, be quiet! 500FX, EVGA 3070Ti FTW3 Ultra.

 

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