Heatsink Pad Removal

[RufusKing]

Hey...

Just wondering the best way to get a thermal heatsink pad off the processor and heatsink so it can be replaced by some far more efficient arctic silver...

Any suggestions, and anything to avoid?

-R

[VashUK]

I use akasa TIM-clean which is very good stuff and has a nice smell, or you can just use isopropol alcahol or I think rubbing alcahol is ok. Just make sure you use a lint free cloth to clean it.

[Howard]

I use Methylated Spirit and a lint-free cloth.

[pre]

Meths and most alcohols (except isopropyl) leave a residue no?

[Nomadd]

Meths and most alcohols (except isopropyl) leave a residue no?

Nope, not worth bothering about, anyway. I've always used Meths, and if you dry the heatsink thoroughly (with lint free rag) and leave it stand for a few minutes before applying paste it will be fine . I've never had a problem with thermal pastes not 'taking' to a heatsink cleaned this way. Now, if you start drinking the Meths, well, that's a different problem altogether - hic! :-)

Nomadd

[DaKid]

Isopropyl Alcohol (pretty cheap for a decent-sized aerosol can of it) and lint-free cloths - I use coffee filters

[BenW]

can you use white spirit for this?

[Nomadd]

can you use white spirit for this?

Actually, my post above where I said 'Meths' should have actually said 'White Spirit' - I've just checked the bottle. I've used it lots and never had a problem with it.

Nomadd