Thermal Paste in CPU Pins - Dangerous?

JudithWright · May 28, 2022

I got a Ryzen 5 1400 for a very low price - but it has THERMAL PASTE in a few of the CPU pins on one side.

From what I have read, there seems to be different theories on whether or not this is a problem.

Some things I have read say that thermal paste is not conductive and will not cause a problem if installed in a motherboard.

But other things I am seeing seem to be saying that the thermal paste could completely damage the motherboard once it's powered-on.

Which side is correct?

Eigenvektor · May 28, 2022

Depends on the thermal paste that was used.

Most of them shouldn't be conductive. Depending on how much there is, it could still prevent the pin(s) from making proper contact, causing the PC to not work. If the thermal paste is conductive (some are), then it could cause a short which could physically damage the machine.

In any case, use some rubbing alcohol to clean it off. Make sure the CPU is completely dry before inserting it and powering on the machine.

ExalyThor · May 28, 2022

Just clean it up.

PDifolco · May 28, 2022

No chance it'll do anything good, just clean it!

OhioYJ · May 28, 2022

2 hours ago, JudithWright said:

I got a Ryzen 5 1400 for a very low price - but it has THERMAL PASTE in a few of the CPU pins on one side.

This happened to my brother, I used a small of alcohol and a toothbrush to get it clean out of the pins. It was a soft bristle brush, and I was still pretty gentle, but it made pretty quick work of cleaning it up. Then just let the alcohol evaporate / dry.