CPU Thermal Compound

[100Coogn]

I'm going to be getting some Arctic Silver, to replace the stock thermal compound that came with my Heatsink/Fan.
I was wondering, what's the best method for removing the old compound.  I've been googling around, and I've read
that rubbing alcohol will work. 
I don't know if there's some kind of a solvent I could buy, or should I try the alcohol?

Thanks
Coogan

AMD Phenom II 9850

[Tigger29]

I've found from experience that 99.9% of it will simply 'wipe off' as the old stuff is likely gotten hard.  Any remaining debris can be cleaned off with a q-tip or cotton ball slightly dampened with just a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol (drop or two).  If you can get a hold of alcohol wipes, these work great.  Avoid applying anything to the processor itself.. instead apply it to the cotton and THEN wipe the processor clean with it.

Make sure all surfaces are completely dry before applying new thermal compound.

[100Coogn]

Thanks Tigger.
I believe that's the method I will use.

  Coogan

[Drano]

You can find a little can of stuff called "Goof Off" in most hardware stores. It's made to remove paint, glue, adhesives, etc. It'll remove any remaining residue once you're wiped the old compound off. After cleaning with Goof Off wipe the surfaces down with alcohol to remove any residue that the goof off left. Now you have a clean slate to work with.

I use Arctic Silver and this is the method I use. Pretty sure I got the idea from their website. A quick search tells me--yeah I did. I still have an old school P4 but there's info for everything else here:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html

[Chalenge]

Over at Frozen CPU they have a cleaner and sterilizer for thermal compound. Cotton is one of the worst things you can use BTW although it sure beats power towels. Coffee filters work much better especially when it comes to the first step of application with Arctic Silver 5.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3778/thr-20/ArctiClean_1_and_2_Thermal_Material_Remover_and_Surface_Purifier_-_60ml_Kit.html?tl=g8c123s248

[100Coogn]

Over at Frozen CPU they have a cleaner and sterilizer for thermal compound. Cotton is one of the worst things you can use BTW although it sure beats power towels. Coffee filters work much better especially when it comes to the first step of application with Arctic Silver 5.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3778/thr-20/ArctiClean_1_and_2_Thermal_Material_Remover_and_Surface_Purifier_-_60ml_Kit.html?tl=g8c123s248

I do remember something about coffee filters.  I can understand the Q-Tip issues due to residue & what not.

Thanks again
Coogan

[Babalonian]

It's actually the cotton fibers that are the problem, or "hairs", they have a tendancy to get left behind and are semi-conductive.

[Drano]

Think the thing with the hairs aside from they're being possibly conductive is that they're taking up space, although minute, with their thickness. You don't want anything at all, cotton, dust, hair or otherwise between the CPU and your heatsink besides the thermal compound and you want to get the right amount of that too. Too much is as bad as not enough.

[BaldEagl]

I always use coffee filters and rubbing alcohol.   

[Masherbrum]

I always use coffee filters and rubbing alcohol.   

Same here.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I always use coffee filters and rubbing alcohol.   

Yeah but you got to admit it still leaves a bad taste to the alcohol.

[Bizman]

I use contact cleaner (automotive/industrial) in case of residues possibly causing undesired contacts between components. I have even heard of using automotive brake cleaner, but I'd rather leave it for some ancient rock hard pastes. The new processors have a large shielded core without no visible components around, so cleaning the cpu mostly just takes a good wipe. Most thermal compounds mix well with each other, so there's no need to overdo with the cleaning.

There's often a larger than the core area covered with thick paste on heat sinks. An old credit card can be handy doing the rough removal.

Thanks for the coffee filter tip!

[guncrasher]

I keep on thinking that eventually we are gonna have an argument over which coffee filter brand is better .

semp

[Wiley]

Well, clearly the cone shaped ones are to be favored due to their flatness, versus the flatbottomed ones with the ripples around the outside...

 

Wiley.

[Dragon Tamer]

Always remember to ground yourself before going anywhere near your mother board.

If you are looking for a good way to improve cooling efficiency, try adding a larger heat sink to your CPU.