What can i use to clean my CPU?

[HomerJaySimpson]

Hi all,
I'd like to know what is the best stuff to clean a cpu/heatsink?
I've been using nail polish remover with acetone, but it leaves a residue and im a little worried it's screwing with the contact. I've heard that rubbing alcohol does the trick, but where the hell do you find rubbing alcohol? I've been looking at buying some of that Akasa TIM cleaner, anybody know if it works?

[r1zeek]

Well, I used to use Nail Polish remover, but found the same thing you did, it leaves a residue and it can cause gaps between the heatsink TIM and CPU.
I've use an isopropic (cant spell) alcohol which is used to clean paint of I think to clean mine. I used the Akasa TIM Cleaner before, works alright, didn't bother to get any more because I had a whole load of other alcohol (the stuff I said I cleaned paint with)

[blockers]

I use the good old metholated spirit and some cotten pads. any alcohol that evapourates really fast is a pretty safe bet.

[Steve]

Isoprophyll alcohol - I got a bottle of it with a mouse cleaning kit. Does the job great.

That Akasa stuff will be a total ripoff.

[HomerJaySimpson]

I think ill get my hands on some metholated spirit and clean the residue off. I've been getting idle temps of around 39 - 42 and load temps of 50 - 55. Pretty crap since i havent even OC'd. Im using a Skythe Kamakaze hsf, but it's actually worse than the stock cooler that came with my P4. I think ill switch back to the stock heatsink for now. I've tried using AS5 and Ceramique and Ceramique is the better of the two. The funny thing is, the hsf isnt even warm to the touch, whereas the stock had a little bit of heat. I suppose thats a sign that it isnt making good contact with the cpu.

[nindo]

Isopropyl alcohol is what I use, read through instructions on AS website saying that nail polish remover might have other contaminants, so stuck with isopropyl alcohol. It cleans well though

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

[HomerJaySimpson]

Where do you buy Isopropyl alcohol?

[LouG]

I've always wondered where you get isopropyl alcohol from as well, i know you can get it at maplin but is there anywhere else?

[doctor_prox]

This may sound dumb but whats wrong with water?

[Steve]

This may sound dumb but whats wrong with water?

It's all wet 'n' 'orrible!









(It's also crap at cleaning stuff.)

[chrisf6969]

rubbing alcohol from any pharmacy and many grocery stores.

[HomerJaySimpson]

Sorry Chris, but here in the UK we dont got 'Rubbing alcohol'

Especially not in chemists, im just gonna go to a paint shop and buy me some metholated spirit

[nindo]

HomerJaySimpson,

I got the isopropyl alcohol from Maplin, easiest cause I just pop in and buy it

Wouldn't use water cause nothing really dissolves in it esp if it's oil based..so it doesn't really clean as well me thinks..

[iranu]

isopropyl alcohol is best

Use it at work for cleaning, I liberated a small amount for cleaning h/s and xp chip, works a treat. It's better than acetone because acetone will attack the plastic pcb on xp/duron chips.

[funnelhead]

isopropyl alcohol is best - i've got a spray can of it which is really neat. Don't use nail polish remover cos it has conditioning agents in. Water takes too long to dry man! Isopropyl is evaporated within 10 seconds, no worries