Alchohol on cpu

[derweee]

is it safe to put a cpu in %90 alchohol

 

[chrisvl97]

There is no problem with using isopropyl alcohol to clean off copper or aluminum.
I have done it for years, the worst that could happen is a very thin oxidation layer could form, which will form anyway on any totally raw surface. Application of oiley or greacy thermal compounds keeps the oxygen from hitting them after cleaning, and everything is good to go.

Speaking of raw, many of the surfaces are not raw. Aluminum or copper heatsinks are sometimes coated with a clear coat, like the fins often are. Aluminum could have a purposfull oxidation layer on it. Copper turns green when it has no oxygen blocking substances on it. There can be machine oils from the machining, or to keep oxidation down to retain the pristine condition.

Ammonia (not alcohol) in consumer concentrations given enough time will soften up even plasticy clear coats, and make a mess or can be used like a paint stripper for them. Even with long term soaking with alcohol it does not destroy the plastic type coatings, although it can strip oils just fine.

Alcohol can also strip the oils out of plastics, like the cases for things, or fan plastics or other plastics used. (which are made from? crude byproducts) So exposure to plastic surfaces may result in slight discoloration, the longer it can solvent out those oils. Even then it can usually easily be corrected by putting some oils back in 🙂

Is a special substance required to clean any of this stuff? If it is I have been doing it wrong over and over again for years, and it has not made any detrimental difference.

Other conciderations, the cooling effect of tech sprays , even alcohol as a solvent , and the percentage of 90% alcohol means there can be residual, and possibly moisture from the air (condensation) and all. If we wanted to make up scenarios were this doesn't work, it would be because the surface was not dry completly, stick it all together and heat it and any substances that would then vaporise or steam, pushing the thermal compounds around.
So make sure things are dry.

 

[Bossyfins]

Yes and no.

Don't drop the entire thing in alcohol. If you are cleaning the thermal lid off, just apply some 90% alcohol on a paper towel and wipe if off. Make sure to not touch the bottom part of the CPU.

 

[derweee]

There is no problem with using isopropyl alcohol to clean off copper or aluminum.
I have done it for years, the worst that could happen is a very thin oxidation layer could form, which will form anyway on any totally raw surface. Application of oiley or greacy thermal compounds keeps the oxygen from hitting them after cleaning, and everything is good to go.

Speaking of raw, many of the surfaces are not raw. Aluminum or copper heatsinks are sometimes coated with a clear coat, like the fins often are. Aluminum could have a purposfull oxidation layer on it. Copper turns green when it has no oxygen blocking substances on it. There can be machine oils from the machining, or to keep oxidation down to retain the pristine condition.

Ammonia (not alcohol) in consumer concentrations given enough time will soften up even plasticy clear coats, and make a mess or can be used like a paint stripper for them. Even with long term soaking with alcohol it does not destroy the plastic type coatings, although it can strip oils just fine.

Alcohol can also strip the oils out of plastics, like the cases for things, or fan plastics or other plastics used. (which are made from? crude byproducts) So exposure to plastic surfaces may result in slight discoloration, the longer it can solvent out those oils. Even then it can usually easily be corrected by putting some oils back in 🙂

Is a special substance required to clean any of this stuff? If it is I have been doing it wrong over and over again for years, and it has not made any detrimental difference.

Other conciderations, the cooling effect of tech sprays , even alcohol as a solvent , and the percentage of 90% alcohol means there can be residual, and possibly moisture from the air (condensation) and all. If we wanted to make up scenarios were this doesn't work, it would be because the surface was not dry completly, stick it all together and heat it and any substances that would then vaporise or steam, pushing the thermal compounds around.
So make sure things are dry.

Ok first of all Im sorry but I have seen this reply before but I guess I will accept your answer

 

[derweee]

Yes and no.

Don't drop the entire thing in alcohol. If you are cleaning the thermal lid off, just apply some 90% alcohol on a paper towel and wipe if off. Make sure to not touch the bottom part of the CPU.

theres thermal paste stuck to the sides and its hard to get off

 

[Bossyfins]

As long as its not on the bottom side your fine. Just carefully try to dab it off.

 

[chrisvl97]

There is no problem with using isopropyl alcohol to clean off copper or aluminum.
I have done it for years, the worst that could happen is a very thin oxidation layer could form, which will form anyway on any totally raw surface. Application of oiley or greacy thermal compounds keeps the oxygen from hitting them after cleaning, and everything is good to go.

Speaking of raw, many of the surfaces are not raw. Aluminum or copper heatsinks are sometimes coated with a clear coat, like the fins often are. Aluminum could have a purposfull oxidation layer on it. Copper turns green when it has no oxygen blocking substances on it. There can be machine oils from the machining, or to keep oxidation down to retain the pristine condition.

Ammonia (not alcohol) in consumer concentrations given enough time will soften up even plasticy clear coats, and make a mess or can be used like a paint stripper for them. Even with long term soaking with alcohol it does not destroy the plastic type coatings, although it can strip oils just fine.

Alcohol can also strip the oils out of plastics, like the cases for things, or fan plastics or other plastics used. (which are made from? crude byproducts) So exposure to plastic surfaces may result in slight discoloration, the longer it can solvent out those oils. Even then it can usually easily be corrected by putting some oils back in 🙂

Is a special substance required to clean any of this stuff? If it is I have been doing it wrong over and over again for years, and it has not made any detrimental difference.

Other conciderations, the cooling effect of tech sprays , even alcohol as a solvent , and the percentage of 90% alcohol means there can be residual, and possibly moisture from the air (condensation) and all. If we wanted to make up scenarios were this doesn't work, it would be because the surface was not dry completly, stick it all together and heat it and any substances that would then vaporise or steam, pushing the thermal compounds around.
So make sure things are dry.

Ok first of all Im sorry but I have seen this reply before but I guess I will accept your answer

I'm here to help you with whatever i can. I took it from somewhere else to help you dude. I didn't even read it

 

[derweee]

As long as its not on the bottom side your fine. Just carefully try to dab it off.

The problem is that I got a new cpu cooler 212 evo and at first it was fine till I couldnt fit the side panel on so I cut off the copper tips a bit and then I put it back on. Started overheating like crazy so I took it off and the cpu and got a bit of paste on cpu. I wiped it off as best as I could and booted up and also put new thermal paste on. It Still does it though

 

[Bossyfins]

Well, your not supposed to cut the copper pipes off. Thats why its overheating. YOu should look into something smaller. What is your case.

Also, as long as it boots up, you should be fine

 

[derweee]

Well, your not supposed to cut the copper pipes off. Thats why its overheating. YOu should look into something smaller. What is your case.

Ok yea Im screwed ok well should I buy a new 212 evo?

 

[Bossyfins]

Well, i wouldn't since you said it doesnt fit. What case do you have. I can recommend a cooler for you then.

 

[derweee]

Well, i wouldn't since you said it doesnt fit. What case do you have. I can recommend a cooler for you then.

210 source nzxt with window I think that i would want liquid cool

 

[Bossyfins]

Personally I wouldnt do water cooling. You would need to pay atlest 70+$ to get a decent cooler.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc12dxbk

This looks decent, plus its fits 😛