Mold on AMD Ryzen stock cooler's themal paste?

[homemmakako]

I just aquired a Ryzen 3 2200g and, when I pulled out the stock cooler the themal paste seems to have some orange spots that look like some sort of mold (see photo). I assume that, being such and old cpu it was stored for a long time and maybe that is why this happened. However such a sight is new to me. Has anyone ever seen something like this before? I couldn't find anything online.

 

 

[Fasauceome]

I had this happen and said screw it to see what happens, turns out the thermals are fine

[mariushm]

I guess it's possible ... there is some water in that thermal paste, so that could provide a good environment for bacteria.

 

 

You can clean it off with some wet paper towels optionally dabbed in some isopropyl alcohol or regular sanitary alcohol or really any strong alcohol (vodka for example) to help disolve it. Then any thermal paste that's better than those silicon grease baggies will work.

 

[Letgomyleghoe]

2 minutes ago, zhnu said:

That looks like corrosion, I would clean that up and see if the surface beneath is OK and if it's just apply paste.

thermal paste won't corrode.

[homemmakako]

3 hours ago, mariushm said:

I guess it's possible ... there is some water in that thermal paste, so that could provide a good environment for bacteria.

 

 

You can clean it off with some wet paper towels optionally dabbed in some isopropyl alcohol or regular sanitary alcohol or really any strong alcohol (vodka for example) to help disolve it. Then any thermal paste that's better than those silicon grease baggies will work.

 

Yes I am planning on removing it and applying new paste. That being said....

3 hours ago, Fasauceome said:

I had this happen and said screw it to see what happens, turns out the thermals are fine

After I read this I kinda feel an urge to try it out before. Who knows, maybe, whatever this is, it is the thermal superconductor we've all been waiting for (Though most likely not)