Thermal paste removal

Vejnemojnen · September 6, 2019

Hello

yesterday I've removed a cpu from socket, accidentally my fingers managed to get a bit of paste onto the pins while removing.

Though I'm not intending to using this CPU for a few weeks now, I want to make sure it's okay. I've used the edge of some printing paper to remove traces between pins, and a soft toothbrush. Nothing radical, just gentle "flossing". The pins seem to be free of any residues, straight, not bent. Have not used neither force, nor too much chemicals (little bit isopropyl alcohol in the paper's edge)

Do you think it'll work just nice? I won't be installing it now, bc I don't want to remove the current cpu from my Mobo. TiA

spartaman64 · September 6, 2019

thermal paste should be nonconductive so it should be fine

Vejnemojnen · September 6, 2019

@spartaman64

certain thermalpastes ARE nonconductive. This one was MasterGel Pro from CM. I don't know whether it is conductive or not. MX4 from arctic is technically non-conductive, but I don't know this one. From the product pics, I'd say it's not, as it contains non metal particles.