Best Way to Remove TIM?

[DocSwag]

I'm looking at upgrading my cpu cooler soon, which means I'll have to remove my old TIM. I know the convention is to use coffee filter+isopropyl alcohol, except I don't have any coffee filters... I thought about using cotton balls instead, but the problem with that is it leaves behind a bit of cotton which might impact performance, idk. So I was wondering, is there any other thing I could use with alcohol to clean off the TIM? Or should I just buy some coffee filters? 

 

EDIT: Just remembered about good ol paper towels, which seem like they'd work, just wanna make sure but they will, right?

[Billy_Mays]

2 minutes ago, DocSwag said:

I'm looking at upgrading my cpu cooler soon, which means I'll have to remove my old TIM. I know the convention is to use coffee filter+isopropyl alcohol, except I don't have any coffee filters... I thought about using cotton balls instead, but the problem with that is it leaves behind a bit of cotton which might impact performance, idk. So I was wondering, is there any other thing I could use with alcohol to clean off the TIM? Or should I just buy some coffee filters? 

Linus just released a video about that yesterday or Monday about this

[slightlyjaded]

Just now, DocSwag said:

I'm looking at upgrading my cpu cooler soon, which means I'll have to remove my old TIM. I know the convention is to use coffee filter+isopropyl alcohol, except I don't have any coffee filters... I thought about using cotton balls instead, but the problem with that is it leaves behind a bit of cotton which might impact performance, idk. So I was wondering, is there any other thing I could use with alcohol to clean off the TIM? Or should I just buy some coffee filters? 

Linus made a video recently so I had better plug it first... We're in his home so we should give him a chance to make his money.

 

Personally I just use isopropyl alcohol, and coffee filters

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, Billy_Mays said:

Linus just released a video about that yesterday or Monday about this

 

1 minute ago, slightlyjaded said:

Linus made a video recently so I had better plug it first...

 

Personally I just use isopropyl alcohol, and coffee filters

ik but he only addresses stuff like isopropyl alcohol, not the coffee filter part.

 

I'd prefer not to have to go out and buy them . Would paper towels work fine?

[ARikozuM]

I just use ispropyl alcohol, a microfiber towel, and some DETERMINATION. 

 

Spoiler

Did I just make an Undertale reference? Oh God, what monster have I become!?

 

[DocSwag]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

I just use ispropyl alcohol, a microfiber towel, and some DETERMINATION. 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Did I just make an Undertale reference? Oh God, what monster have I become!?

 

Would normal paper towels be fine?

[slightlyjaded]

Just now, DocSwag said:

 

ik but he only addresses stuff like isopropyl alcohol, not the coffee filter part.

 

I'd prefer not to have to go out and buy them . Would paper towels work fine?

yes they will...sort of. The reason I use coffee filters is they're designed for wet applications, and don't leave lint behind. Paper towel, even the dishwashing type I've found can leave behind traces of itself.

[LienusLateTips]

I use toilet paper

[slightlyjaded]

Just now, JDE said:

I use toilet paper

I'd certainly hope so. Skid marks are never a good fashion accessory.

[DocSwag]

2 minutes ago, slightlyjaded said:

yes they will...sort of. The reason I use coffee filters is they're designed for wet applications, and don't leave lint behind. Paper towel, even the dishwashing type I've found can leave behind traces of itself.

Yeah that's what I was afraid of... Do you know of any other household stuff that could be used? Normal towels maybe?  

[JoostinOnline]

Paper towels.  I've tried coffee filters, but they just don't remove the thermal paste like paper towels do.  I've also tried cotton balls, but it's easy to hook strands on the edges of the CPU.

[LienusLateTips]

1 minute ago, slightlyjaded said:

I'd certainly hope so. Skid marks are never a good fashion accessory.

I just make a video of me cleaning computer with toilet paper

 

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, JoostinOnline said:

Power towels.  I've tried coffee filters, but they just don't remove the thermal paste like paper towels do.  I've also tried cotton balls, but it's easy to hook strands on the edges of the CPU.

Power towels? Towels with more... POWER?

[Mooshi]

5 minutes ago, DocSwag said:

Would normal paper towels be fine?

It's fine. I sometimes use toilet paper lmao

[JoostinOnline]

1 minute ago, DocSwag said:

Power towels? Towels with more... POWER?

Wow, can't even blame that on auto-correct because I'm on my computer.

[slightlyjaded]

Just now, DocSwag said:

Yeah that's what I was afraid of... Do you know of any other household stuff that could be used? Normal towels maybe?  

Got an old fabric case for glasses? They tend to be microfibre so you can use them to polish your glasses with them. That's about the best most people have lying around the house. Failing that yes you can use regular paper towel (don't use a dish towel, those things just leave lint everywhere) Just check the surface afterwards, and if neccessary give it another polish.

[DocSwag]

Just now, slightlyjaded said:

Got an old fabric case for glasses? They tend to be microfibre so you can use them to polish your glasses with them. That's about the best most people have lying around the house. Failing that yes you can use regular paper towel (don't use a dish towel, those things just leave lint everywhere) Just check the surface afterwards, and if neccessary give it another polish.

I have those micro fiber cloth thingies for cleaning screens and crap, would that work?

[slightlyjaded]

Just now, DocSwag said:

I have those micro fiber cloth thingies for cleaning screens and crap, would that work?

yup. That's just  fine.

[DocSwag]

Just now, slightlyjaded said:

yup. That's just  fine.

Yay! Thanks for the help then! I'll just use those.

[Drak3]

Ask him nicely. Or fire him after he becomes an asshole at work, due to his recent divorce, even though you don't really see how he's an any more of an asshole than he's always been.

[ARikozuM]

13 minutes ago, DocSwag said:

Would normal paper towels be fine?

If that's all you have, yes, but be sure to clean the CPU well so that no dust/lint/fibers are left behind.

[DocSwag]

8 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

Ask him nicely. Or fire him after he becomes an asshole at work, due to his recent divorce, even though you don't really see how he's an any more of an asshole than he's always been.

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[Drak3]

Just now, DocSwag said:

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It's a joke.

And it's not the first "TIM" joke I've told on this forum.

[ARikozuM]

4 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

It's a joke.

And it's not the first "TIM" joke I've told on this forum.

Everyone's got a TIM joke, but it goes over people's heads... always most of the time.

[Drak3]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

Everyone's got a TIM joke, but it goes over people's heads... always most of the time.

My first TIM joke went over no one's head, it was glorious. That, or no one was brave enough to admit it.