Heatsink compund removal

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calvarygeorge

What is the best method to clean the heat sink compounds off of
processors... Is it ok to scrape carefully with a razor blade?? is
there a good cleaning product used for this specific purpose (i.e.
acetone, thinner)?? sometimes there is a bunch of greasy residue &
sometimes the compund is "caked on" ... I need to get them in as good
condition as possible for re-use...
 
It is further alleged that on or about 10 Mar 2006 02:32:55 -0800, in
alt.comp.hardware.amd.x86-64, the queezy keyboard of "calvarygeorge"
<[email protected]> spewed the following:

|What is the best method to clean the heat sink compounds off of
|processors... Is it ok to scrape carefully with a razor blade?? is
|there a good cleaning product used for this specific purpose (i.e.
|acetone, thinner)?? sometimes there is a bunch of greasy residue &
|sometimes the compund is "caked on" ... I need to get them in as good
|condition as possible for re-use...

Most polar solvents will do the job, acetone is NOT recommended.
Denatured alcohol works well. If you use isopropyl alcohol or ethanol,
allow them to dry thoroughly as they contain some water.
 
calvarygeorge said:
What is the best method to clean the heat sink compounds off of
processors... Is it ok to scrape carefully with a razor blade?? is
there a good cleaning product used for this specific purpose (i.e.
acetone, thinner)?? sometimes there is a bunch of greasy residue &
sometimes the compund is "caked on" ... I need to get them in as good
condition as possible for re-use...
Click to expand...

The easy and cheap method is to use 99% pure isopropyl alcohol, which is
available in many places.

You only need to get the surfaces mostly clean - they don't have to
sparkle like a diamond.

Start by gently removing any caked on material with an old credit card
or similar item, and then clean the surfaces with the alcohol and a lint
free cloth. A slight discoloration from the old thermal compound is not
a problem as it means the microscopic pores of the surface is filled
with compound - a good thing.

When you apply the new thermal compound, smooth a very thin layer with a
credit card or similar item on the surface of the CPU, and gently place
the heatsink and fasten.

If the heatsink is brand new, take a tiny amount of compound and rub it
into the surface of the heatsink using your finger inside a plastic bag
(like a Glad sandwich bag). It should be slightly discolored like the
CPU surface. Then install it as above.
 
Thanks guys...

do you have recommendations as to what is the best heat compound
products? can you use any heatsink with any CPU?

just curious... how long can you use a CPU without a heatsink before
it gets damaged (10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour???)

thanks again
 
calvarygeorge said:
do you have recommendations as to what is the best heat compound
products?
Click to expand...

I don't think it matters all that much since the differences between
most of the brands is only a few degrees under the best conditions.

If you buy a high quality cooler, I would just use the thermal compound
that comes with it since they know what works.
can you use any heatsink with any CPU?
Click to expand...

No. Some coolers are designed specifically for one socket type. Others
are "universal" and will fit a few types.

My Zalman 9500 fits several sockets for both Intel and AMD chips. You
need to make sure the cooler you pick fits your specific socket though.
just curious... how long can you use a CPU without a heatsink before
it gets damaged (10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour???)
Click to expand...

In some cases, a minute is all it takes to overheat your CPU. By the
time it gets to the end of the BIOS check, it could be too late.

*_NEVER_* power up your computer without a CPU cooler installed.
 
Is it fairly safe to clean the surface of a used heatsink & reuse with
another processor of the same type?? Why do some heatsinks come alone
& others come with fans attached to them?? Can processors be used with
only a heatsink & no fan without running much risk??
 
Is it fairly safe to clean the surface of a used heatsink & reuse with
another processor of the same type??
Click to expand...

Yes, or any type it will fit on and cool properly.
Why do some heatsinks come alone & others come with fans attached to
them??
Click to expand...

Because that's the way the manufacturer chose to sell them.
Can processors be used with only a heatsink & no fan without running
much risk??
Click to expand...

They can. And many are. But since you have to ask this question, I
wouldn't advise you to try it.
 
Wes Newell said:
They can. And many are. But since you have to ask this question, I
wouldn't advise you to try it.
Click to expand...

About 6 years ago I cooked an AMD K6-2 300 running at 400MHz in about 10
seconds. It was late, I was tired and in a hurry and I wanted to check
out the CPU in a system and forgot to reinstall the fan/heatsink! $80
bucks POOF!

Chas.
 
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