Jump to content

Changing thermal paste

EST_FatBoy
By EST_FatBoy
in CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory
 Share
Posted

So in like 2 weeks im changing my thermal paste. My friend has some IC Diamond thermal left so I can use that. But whats a good liquid to clean the top? I was thinking clean vodka but whats better?

Dell Inspiron 580 - Modified

Build log

Win 7 | GTX 760 | i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz | 2x2Gb 1333MHz Hyundai + 2x2Gb 1333Mhz Crucial RAM | Seagate 1TB 7200RPM | HyperX Fury 120Gb | Corsair Builder 600M | Fractal R2 Mini

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So in like 2 weeks im changing my thermal paste. My friend has some IC Diamond thermal left so I can use that. But whats a good liquid to clean the top? I was thinking clean vodka but whats better?

Just clean alcohol, i thougt Linus reccomented it in a build guide video but i can't remember what video it was, sorry

[CPU: AMD FX-6100 @3.3GHz ] [MoBo: Asrock 970 Extreme4] [GPU: Gigabyte 770 OC ] [RAM: 8GB] [sSD: 64gb for OS] [PSU: 550Watt Be Quiet!] [HDD: 1TB] [CPU cooler: Be Quiet! Shadow Rock Pro Sr1]  -Did i solve your question/problem? Please click 'Marked Solved'-

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

99% isopropyl alcohol

Intel 4790k • Asus Z97-A • Gigabyte GTX 970 Windforce • G.Skill 1866 4GBx2 • Corsair HX850W PSU • Noctua NH-D15 Air Cooler • Intel 530 120GB SSD(OS) • 1TB HDD(Games) • Cooler Master HAF 912 • Logitech G15 Key • Razer Abyssus Mouse • Asus 24in 144hz VG248QE

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I actually still like to use this stuff. It's a great deal for 7 bucks :P

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&Tpk=arctic%20remover

Corsair 900D | MSI MPower Max Z87 AC | i7-4790K @ 4.7Ghz | 1080 Ti SLI | 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 
XSPC Raystorm | EK-FC Nickel GPU block/backplate | 2x Alphacool UT60 480mm & XT45 240mm | 11x Linus Edition NF-F12
Schiit Modi/Magni 2 Uber | 5" KRK Rokit G3 | KRK 10S2 | Acer Predator X34 | Dell S2716DG

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I would just using rubbing alcohol with a coffee filter to clean the thermal paste off of the cpu.

Hello and Welcome to LTT Forum!


If you are a new member, please read the rules located in "Forum News and Info". Thanks!  :)


Linus Tech Tips Forum Code of Conduct           FAQ           Privacy Policy & Legal Disclaimer

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So in like 2 weeks im changing my thermal paste. My friend has some IC Diamond thermal left so I can use that. But whats a good liquid to clean the top? I was thinking clean vodka but whats better?

Can I assume this is Not a Laptop you are talking about?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

That is 99% alcohol in a different bottle and yes it cleans very good.

Yep the first one is. I like it for the polish in the second bottle. Something about having a perfect mirror finish on your CPU/ Heatsink (with no effort) is just wonderful :P

Corsair 900D | MSI MPower Max Z87 AC | i7-4790K @ 4.7Ghz | 1080 Ti SLI | 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 
XSPC Raystorm | EK-FC Nickel GPU block/backplate | 2x Alphacool UT60 480mm & XT45 240mm | 11x Linus Edition NF-F12
Schiit Modi/Magni 2 Uber | 5" KRK Rokit G3 | KRK 10S2 | Acer Predator X34 | Dell S2716DG

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Yep the first one is. I like it for the polish in the second bottle. Something about having a perfect mirror finish on your CPU/ Heatsink (with no effort) is just wonderful :P

I hear that but for my mirror finish i just use those small dry microfiber cloth that comes with a pair of glasses after the 99% alcohol.

A water-cooled mid-tier gaming PC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I hear that but for my mirror finish i just use those small dry microfiber cloth that comes with a pair of glasses after the 99% alcohol.

Yep that should work too. I just rarely have a spare one of those lying around that I'm willing to get TIM all over.

Corsair 900D | MSI MPower Max Z87 AC | i7-4790K @ 4.7Ghz | 1080 Ti SLI | 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 
XSPC Raystorm | EK-FC Nickel GPU block/backplate | 2x Alphacool UT60 480mm & XT45 240mm | 11x Linus Edition NF-F12
Schiit Modi/Magni 2 Uber | 5" KRK Rokit G3 | KRK 10S2 | Acer Predator X34 | Dell S2716DG

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Can I assume this is Not a Laptop you are talking about?

PC ofc.

 

Also thanks for all the answers!

Dell Inspiron 580 - Modified

Build log

Win 7 | GTX 760 | i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz | 2x2Gb 1333MHz Hyundai + 2x2Gb 1333Mhz Crucial RAM | Seagate 1TB 7200RPM | HyperX Fury 120Gb | Corsair Builder 600M | Fractal R2 Mini

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Soft paper towel is enough. With bit rubbing no problems.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I actually still like to use this stuff. It's a great deal for 7 bucks :P

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&Tpk=arctic%20remover

 

60 mL for 7 bucks, really? :D

 

@EST_FatBoy

you can get a litre of 99% isoprop. on Amazon for under 10 dollars. Do yourself a favour and get a bottle. You can use that stuff for everything! Isoprop is basically the 'better water'. xD I clean everything tech with it. Clean off glue rest, finger prints, my cooking pan. xD

 

trust me, I'm a chemist.

who cares...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Vodka (40% alc.) probably won't eliminate the old paste. Just buy 99% isopropyl alcohol for a few bucks.

My rig: CPU: Intel core i5 4670K MoBo: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming RAM: Kingston HyperX Beast 2x4GB 1600mhz CL9 GPU: EVGA GTX780 SC ACX SSD: ADATA Premier Pro SP900 256GBHDD: Western Digital RED 2TB PSU: FSP Aurum CM 750W Case: Cooler Master HAF XM OS: Windows 8 Pro

My Build log, the Snowbird (heavy WIP): http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/188011-snowbird-by-lachy/?hl=snowbird

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

99% is ordeal, but you can get by with even those little alcohol pads you use to clean wounds with.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Ive used bacardi superior (white rum) to clean off an old cpu. I don't think the cpu has caramelized since it still works.

It evaporated like straight away.

    CPU: 3930k  @ stock                                  RAM: 32GB RipjawsZ @ 2133Mhz       Cooling: Custom Loop
MOBO: AsRock x79 Extreme9                      SSD: 240GB Vertex 3 (OS)                     Case: HAF XB                     LG 34um95 + Ergotron MX Arm Mount - Dual Review
  GPUs: Gigabyte GTX 670 SLI                     HDD: 1TB WD Black                                PSU: Corsair AX 860                               Beyerdynamic - Custom One Pro Review

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

60 mL for 7 bucks, really? :D

 

@EST_FatBoy

you can get a litre of 99% isoprop. on Amazon for under 10 dollars. Do yourself a favour and get a bottle. You can use that stuff for everything! Isoprop is basically the 'better water'. xD I clean everything tech with it. Clean off glue rest, finger prints, my cooking pan. xD

 

trust me, I'm a chemist.

Yes really :P Isopropyl alcohol is perfectly adequate for the job, but I still like to get that Arctic stuff for the polish. It does a fantastic job of getting any heatsink perfectly clean with no effort (even though I generally just use paper towels). Since it only takes a couple drops to clean something, that 60mL lasts forever (my pair is going on 4 years now).

 

I'm not saying it's necessary, I'm just saying that I think it's worth it. :)

Corsair 900D | MSI MPower Max Z87 AC | i7-4790K @ 4.7Ghz | 1080 Ti SLI | 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 
XSPC Raystorm | EK-FC Nickel GPU block/backplate | 2x Alphacool UT60 480mm & XT45 240mm | 11x Linus Edition NF-F12
Schiit Modi/Magni 2 Uber | 5" KRK Rokit G3 | KRK 10S2 | Acer Predator X34 | Dell S2716DG

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Well thanks everyone! Will buy some of that 99% alcohol next week.

Dell Inspiron 580 - Modified

Build log

Win 7 | GTX 760 | i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz | 2x2Gb 1333MHz Hyundai + 2x2Gb 1333Mhz Crucial RAM | Seagate 1TB 7200RPM | HyperX Fury 120Gb | Corsair Builder 600M | Fractal R2 Mini

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory

×