Cleaning Thermal Paste off CPU?

[Jonny M]

Hi,

What's the best way to get thermal paste off a CPU core (AMD AthlonXP TbredB)? I was thinking nail polish remover and a glasses cleaning cloth, but if anyone has a better idea I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

[Lexeus]

If i remember correctly nail polish remover isn't advisable because it contains scent or something similar. I never cleaned one my self but I think 'rubbing alcohol' is suggested ?

[Agent]

Some contain a polish, which can cause problems.
I either use alcohol (ethnol), or some TCP (you know, the medial stuff).

Both seem to work fine

[Jonny M]

Can you buy this pure alcohol at chemists then?

[Agent]

Not sure, i got my little bottle from somone who works with it.

[Ethos]

I've always used nail polish on mine with no problem! Although your not meant to... might have to stop that soon.

From the artic silver site:

CPU Core:
Use high-purity isopropyl alcohol, acetone or Akasa TIM-Clean and a bit of careful rubbing.
Do not use nail polish remover as it contains fragrance oils and other contaminants.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)


Ethos

[directhex]

i use white spirit tbh

[digitalis]

Isopropynol Alcohol - you can get it in a spray can from Maplins - will either be labelled Universal Head Cleaner, or Tape Head Cleaner.

S.

[Zak33]

Im a bit weird......(you knew that tho)

So I use the edge of a CD to scrape off the thick glop that heatsinks and some CPU's have on them from new (and vid card heatsinks)

then I use GIN and kitchen roll

works good for me 40% alcohol and it smells nice

[evildoc614]

you can use acetone aswell you can get it at any hardware store...

[shredisn@tdead]

Originally posted by digitalis
Isopropynol Alcohol - you can get it in a spray can from Maplins - will either be labelled Universal Head Cleaner, or Tape Head Cleaner.

How much do they charge for that then? Akasa TIM-clean is £4.50 at OCers.co.uk.

But GIN! Come on, it's got better uses than that!

[dpm]

Isopropyl Alcohol. Walk into a camera shop and ask - they use it in developing. Or a chemist will have some.

Or, best yet, have a friend doing some kind of biosci job / course.

[Enverex]

Isopropyl Alcohol - As long as you are over 18 you can get it from the chemist in reasonably big bottles, just use it with cotton buds and it will only takes a few minutes.

NS

[iamwhoiam]

I use alcohol medical wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol. Otherwise known as "Medi-Swabs" ... In fact I use this to clean anything thats greasy/hard to rub off.

[directhex]

gin? i always found vodka to be crap at cleaning CPUs, is gin any better?

[matt31]

a bit of white spirit on a Q-tip always works for me.