TIM on CPU pins

[Skullbiter]

Guys, I done messed up. As the title clearly explains, i got a little TIM on my CPU pins.

 

im sure I’m not the first to have done this, so how do I clean it?? 
 

not the best photo as you can see. I had a little TIM on my finger and got it in the middle pins by accident. 

[Fasauceome]

been here

 

you can gently dab a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol on it, then dab with a dry paper towel. The discoloration may never go away but it'll work.

[Skullbiter]

Just now, Fasauceome said:

been here

 

you can gently dab a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol on it, then dab with a dry paper towel. The discoloration may never go away but it'll work.

Will surgical spirits work? 
 

im more worried about the raised ones in the middle It’s gotten in between those and I’m not sure how to get it all out. I’ve used a coffee filter to get what I can out but as for the rest I’m at a loss

[aisle9]

3 minutes ago, Skullbiter said:

Guys, I done messed up. As the title clearly explains, i got a little TIM on my CPU pins.

 

im sure I’m not the first to have done this, so how do I clean it?? 
 

not the best photo as you can see. I had a little TIM on my finger and got it in the middle pins by accident. 

 

We've all done it, and anyone who says they haven't hasn't installed enough CPUs.

 

Dip a Q-tip in 91% or higher (ideally, 70% will work but needs longer to dry) isopropyl/rubbing alcohol, then gently dab or wipe it on the areas where thermal paste got onto the CPU. Let it sit for 30 seconds or so, then gently pat it with a microfiber cloth and let it dry. Repeat if necessary. It's not dead, Jim.

[.Apex.]

8 minutes ago, Skullbiter said:

Will surgical spirits work? 
 

im more worried about the raised ones in the middle It’s gotten in between those and I’m not sure how to get it all out. I’ve used a coffee filter to get what I can out but as for the rest I’m at a loss

Get a toothbrush and dab it with alcohol and gently scrape to get everything out, don't start mashing the whole toothbrush, just the tip of it where there's only a few strands, be patient and don't apply force.

[Fasauceome]

12 minutes ago, Skullbiter said:

Will surgical spirits work? 

according to google apparently that's the same thing

 

I wouldn't be too worried about the bits you can't get out. If the CPU works, it's no issue. Thermal paste isn't conductive

[Beerzerker]

No harm done, clean it as suggested above.

 

Also need to point out those aren't CPU pins, those are small capacitors and such you got the TIM onto.

I've included a pic of what pins are on a CPU so you'd know what they are and what the terminology relates to. Sometimes using the correct terminology for something makes a world of difference.

 

 

[Skullbiter]

33 minutes ago, Beerzerker said:

No harm done, clean it as suggested above.

 

Also need to point out those aren't CPU pins, those are small capacitors and such you got the TIM onto.

I've included a pic of what pins are on a CPU so you'd know what they are and what the terminology relates to. Sometimes using the correct terminology for something makes a world of difference.

 

 

Thank you, still a noob .. big oof getting TIM on the one you showed me

[Skullbiter]

1 hour ago, Fasauceome said:

according to google apparently that's the same thing

 

I wouldn't be too worried about the bits you can't get out. If the CPU works, it's no issue. Thermal paste isn't conductive

It works! Thanks for the reassurance!