Removing a CPU thermal paste

[Marxtai]

Hey guys,

 

I recently had to RMA my motherboard, so I remove my CPU, but kept the thermal paste on there. Now my motherboard will come back today, and I want to clean the thermal paste off the CPU and the heatsink.

I know that it usually involves a paper towel or cloth to remove the biggest part of it, and then you can use a Q-tip with rubbing alchohol to remove what's left.

 

Is it best to put the CPU back in the motherboard socket before I do that? Is there any risk to bend the pins of the CPU/socket if I push too hard - not that I plan to apply a ton of force, but I'd like to know if I have to be super careful and only apply a very light pressure ? I don't really want to do it while holding the CPU in my hand, since it's a bit tricky too hold and I don't want to risk dropping it.

 

 

[Oshino Shinobu]

As long as the retention arms down, with the CPU in the board, you have pretty much no chance of bending any pins or damaging it unless you have bricks for fingers. 

 

I'd keep it in the board, less chances of damaging things, basically. Still, be careful and clean it gently. 

[Peter Vaughan Truslow]

Hey guys,

 

I recently had to RMA my motherboard, so I remove my CPU, but kept the thermal paste on there. Now my motherboard will come back today, and I want to clean the thermal paste off the CPU and the heatsink.

I know that it usually involves a paper towel or cloth to remove the biggest part of it, and then you can use a Q-tip with rubbing alchohol to remove what's left.

 

Is it best to put the CPU back in the motherboard socket before I do that? Is there any risk to bend the pins of the CPU/socket if I push too hard - not that I plan to apply a ton of force, but I'd like to know if I have to be super careful and only apply a very light pressure ? I don't really want to do it while holding the CPU in my hand, since it's a bit tricky too hold and I don't want to risk dropping it.

I've always leaned my CPUs after installing, I'd never given it too much thought, but I've never had any issues. just don't push too hard and let the rubbing alcohol do the work.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Don't remove it just clean it while it's locked in there.

[Marxtai]

Don't remove it just clean it while it's locked in there.

 

Yeah well it's not locked anymore since I had to remove it while I RMA'd the motherboard, but when it gets back I'll install it, and then clean it off while it's in the socket.

[incarnate]

I would clean the cpu while it is in the socket. If you have no lint free cloths I'd recommend using coffee filters. Paper towel and qtips can leave lint and fibers, and those can be a pain to remove depending what they get caught on