Clean Thermal paste from CPU and Mobo socket

[Priam017]

I got a brand new Ryzen 5 system as my first system. When replacing the factory thermal paste with Cooler Master Mastergel (MGX-ZOSW-N15M-R1) it went into the motherboard socket and on the CPU pins. And now I must clean it because it's expensive and I don't want to get grounded. How do I do it? Please help me I am freaking out.

[RadiatingLight]

Oh boy.. you fucked up. How did this happen? just wondering?

 

the CPU pins should be easy to clean. take a brush or something, and just scrape between them. make sure not to bend any pins. But Ryzen pins are sturdy. they shouldn't bend unless you apply at least some force. (compared to intel pins, where glancing at them for .4 seconds fucks up the entire socket)

 

on the motherboard side, it's a bit harder. try to use a thin metal object to get the majority of paste out of the holes. it will never be perfect, but it should at least work.

[Priam017]

I put the thermal paste on and it kind of split into a runny stuff and gel stuff. Also, can you please tell me if the paste is conducting? Thanks for the reply, really helped. 

 

[That_PC_Kid]

Just now, Priam017 said:

I put the thermal paste on and it kind of split into a runny stuff and gel stuff. Also, can you please tell me if the paste is conducting? Thanks for the reply, really helped. 

 

What kind of thermal paste did you buy?

[Daniel Z.]

16 minutes ago, That_PC_Kid said:

What kind of thermal paste did you buy?

in post

[Master Disaster]

If you're really brave (or stupid, not sure which) there is an old trick I've seen people do to successfully remove the electrolyte from burst caps off motherboards and circuit boards.

 

Just to be super clear - I'M NOT RECOMMENDING THIS but it does work. 

 

Basically you fully submerge the board in lukewarm water for a few seconds and use a soft brush to scrub the affected area clean then you give it at least 72 hours to dry out before using it again.

 

Would I do it? Nope. Should you do it? Probably not.

[it_dont_work]

Couple of eye dropper drops of alcohol and blow out with a can of air should clean the socket up if you didnt get much down there.

[Priam017]

Will warranty cover this? (If I clean it enough to not be noticable) and I ask for a replacement?

[Priam017]

I checked and the thermal paste was terrible. It split into a thin oily, runny substance that went into the motherboard. That technically makes it the thermal paste manufacturer's fault. I followed the perfect procedure for application like the pro's demonstrate. And yet it all went to hell.

[Priam017]

UPDATE: I talked to the service person for msi India and that awesome man said he'd clean it for me. Fingers crossed for now. I still need to clean the CPU pins though. 

 

I have to get through to Cooler Master for the terrible paste quality. But they do not have any direct email addresses listed. Help?