Removing a CPU

  • Thread starter Thread starter PJ
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What's the best way to clean off the thermal gel from the CPU and fan?
Click to expand...

If it's not dried-up a paper towel and rubbing alcohol should do it.
I've used WD-40, nail polish/paint/varnish removers on dried up pads,
followed up with rubbing alcohol (or window cleaner).

Ed
 
Use alcohol 99% . I would not use rubbing alcohol because it can contain
oil. Oil is not could for plastics. I will break down the plastic over time.

Homer
 
Use alcohol 99% . I would not use rubbing alcohol because it can contain
oil. Oil is not could for plastics. I will break down the plastic over time.

Homer
Click to expand...

I've never seen isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) with oil in it, you must be
thinking of something else?

Ed
 
PJ said:
What's the best way to clean off the thermal gel from the CPU and fan?
Click to expand...

If it is still loose goo, gently push with a single edge razor blade
at low angle to plane off most of it. Either way, then try anhydrous
(99%) isopropanol with a Q-Tip. If that does not move it, try
odorless spirits paint thinner. If that does not move it, acetone or
MEK (AKA methyl ethyl ketone or butanone) is next. Going from alcohol
to acetone increasingly threatens everything else on the mobo for
contact with the liquid. All the vapors are extremely flammable. MEK
stinks.

Make sure the thing is not plugged in. It would not hurt to run a
grounding wire from both you and the box to a water pipe.
Ventillation and no sources of ignition.

After you ID the least aggressive solvent, dampen a folded paper towel
and wipe. Don't drench it! Wipe, turn the towel, dampen with clean
solvent, wipe. Damp Q-Tip for drool. That should get things nice and
clean with a few wipes. Avoid wetting any other part of the mobo. Be
gentle. Dry and air before reassembling.
 
MEK is carcinogenic if I recall correctly. It is like paint stripper to
plastics in electronics so I would not use it.

MEKP is safer - methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. But it is likely to dissolve
*everything* that can be dissolved. Rather explosive too.

Use iso-propyl alcohol (99% - not the cheap rubbish) as it is specified for
this purpose (IE plastics are selected for their inability to dissolve in it
when electronics such as this are made).

I would not ever use anything more potent / other than iso-propyl alcohol
near the CPU !
 
Rubbing alcohol does not contain oil! Oil is not all that miscible in
alcohols. What it rubbing alcohol typically is is 70% isopropanol and
30% water. Using it will not harm anything, but it may not work as well
as alcohol of higher purity - take longer to dry too.

-6
 
What's the best way to clean off the thermal gel from the CPU and fan?
Click to expand...
The recommended way from Artic Silver is to use acetone (finger nail
polish remover). They specifically state not to use any oil based
solutions or WD-40.
 
Tim said:
MEK is carcinogenic if I recall correctly. It is like paint stripper to
plastics in electronics so I would not use it.

MEKP is safer - methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. But it is likely to dissolve
*everything* that can be dissolved. Rather explosive too.

Use iso-propyl alcohol (99% - not the cheap rubbish) as it is specified for
this purpose (IE plastics are selected for their inability to dissolve in it
when electronics such as this are made).

I would not ever use anything more potent / other than iso-propyl alcohol
near the CPU !
Click to expand...

MEK does not dissolve plastics or silicon provided it is wiped clean
relatively quickly (ie, don't let it sit for a few minutes). Although,
like tim said, don't use it on your cpu... You never know if you leave a
trace of it, then voila! instant cpu gum!

I use MG Chemicals flux remover for pc boards. I mainly use it for what
it's name states, but, if you spray it on the cpu (light coat), and
leave it to dry, you will see exactly what has been left on the cpu.
It's actually quite amazing stuff, and for $4.99 a can, it's pretty cost
effective too. Even using acetone to clean the cpu, I sprayed this
afterwards and found white crusty gunk after it dried up! A tip if you
choose to use this, get a hog hair brush, and brush away the crusties.
Re-apply it if you like, and repeat brushing, you should then have a
spic and span cpu.
 
Ralph2 said:
The recommended way from Artic Silver is to use acetone (finger nail
polish remover). They specifically state not to use any oil based
solutions or WD-40.
Click to expand...


I have always used acetone with no ill effects.
 
PJ said:
What's the best way to clean off the thermal gel from the CPU and fan?
Click to expand...

I've used denatured alcohol fairly seccessfully. If you
use Artic Silver (or any compound for that matter) be
careful when you try to remove the heat sink from the cpu.
You can damage the ZIF socket if it does not separate easily.
Heat sink compoumd acts like glue over time, and can rip
the cpu right out of the socket instead of saparating from
the cpu. Anybody who can repair a zif socket can have a free
P4P800-E mboard, experience tells all :-).

Wayne mail_ at zuik dot net
 
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