About Intel Stock Cooler

[Kitsune4]

Hey, 

So I just ordered a Hyper X 212x CPU cooler to replace the intel stock one on my I5-4690K and I was just wondering when installing it would there be a need to replace the thermal compound that's on the existing cooler? 

[Levent]

IIRC, thermal paste that comes with 212 is pretty good, I dont remember if it comes preapplied or in a small tube though. Just remove the old thermal paste on the cpu and apply the new one (if it comes in a tube)

[Kitsune4]

2 minutes ago, Levent said:

IIRC, thermal paste that comes with 212 is pretty good, I dont remember if it comes preapplied or in a small tube though. Just remove the old thermal paste on the cpu and apply the new one (if it comes in a tube)

From reviews I read on amazon, some got it in a tube and for some it was pre-applied. Should I buy some Isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste or just wipe it with a cloth?

[Colb]

If for just one build you can probably manage just rubbing it . If you plan on doing other builds then isopropyl will not go a miss. It just makes it easier 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

7 minutes ago, Kitsune4 said:

From reviews I read on amazon, some got it in a tube and for some it was pre-applied. Should I buy some Isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste or just wipe it with a cloth?

For the most part, cleaning it with just paper towel isn't going to cause some major issues. It's just cleaner and feels better to do it the proper way by cleaning the previous stuff up with isopropyl alcohol. 

[Luca Rallis]

13 minutes ago, Kitsune4 said:

From reviews I read on amazon, some got it in a tube and for some it was pre-applied. Should I buy some Isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste or just wipe it with a cloth?

I'd buy Isopropyl alcohol if I were you. You could probably get away with just rubbing it off with a paper towel but Isopropyl alcohol is not too expensive and it's good to have around anyway.

[Kitsune4]

Thanks for all the responses!

 

I think I'll go check out chemists to see if I can buy isopropyl alcohol off the shelf. Any other suggestions of the kind of stores I could look in?

[LogicalDrm]

13 hours ago, Kitsune4 said:

Thanks for all the responses!

 

I think I'll go check out chemists to see if I can buy isopropyl alcohol off the shelf. Any other suggestions of the kind of stores I could look in?

Pharmacy/drug store. But you really don't need that stuff. Coffee filter or soft paper towel is quite enough.

[Kitsune4]

Hey,

My CPU cooler came today and I was unable to get isopropyl alcohol so I just rubbed off the thermal paste using a microfiber cloth.

 

It looks pretty clean to me but there's a streak on the right side of the CPU (I dunno if you can make it out in the attached picture).Would it be okay to install the new cooler like this or should I try and get isopropyl alcohol or use some alternative to clean it further?

[Christophe Corazza]

If you can’t get rid of the streak with a fiber cloth, than it is perfectly fine and ready for you to apply the new thermal compound (or if it is already preapplied: mount the cooler).

 

That discoloration is common on CPUs that have been used.