Can i use wet wipes to clean a cpu ?

[veredaux]

im planing to get a custom cooler and i don't have an Alcohol to use and the nearest place that i can get one is very far , so can i?

 

[bazzarooney]

Please do not use a wet wipe, you will destroy the computer.

 

[Dunlop0078]

I wouldn't. Are they alcohol wipes? That would be fine. If they use any kind of soap wiping the cpu with it will probably leave some kind of soap residue on the cpu which probably wouldn't be very good.

 

[tech-wreck]

not brilliant, but if you buff it off immediately with a paper towel, it'll do for now

 

[ubercake]

I would ideally recommend using the Artic Silver cleaning kit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

I've used it through many generations of PCs.

That being said, it sounds like you don't have access to this or Alcohol. Which kind of wet wipes do you have? Do they contain alcohol? Don't use if they have any moisturizing qualities.

 

[cdabc123]

just a damp papertowal has worked for me.

 

[digitaldoc]

No wet wipes for sure.

You need isopropyl alchohol, and it is available in any pharmacy, and most supermarkets. If you can't find isoporopyl, then use ethyl alcohol.

The wet wipes have other chemicals, including bleach, that can damage the CPU.

Water is not ideal as it does not evaporate fast enough and can cause damage.

 

[Mankar Kameran]

just a damp papertowal has worked for me.

^That is your best bet without having a store to go to. Just make sure you have all of the little paper fibers off after.

 

[digitaldoc]

The wet papertowel is really not a good idea. Too much water can seriously damage the CPU. In addition, the thermal paste can get gooey, and not fully come off without some alcohol to help dissolve it.

 

[ubercake]

The wet papertowel is really not a good idea. Too much water can seriously damage the CPU. In addition, the thermal paste can get gooey, and not fully come off without some alcohol to help dissolve it.

You'd definitely have to be very careful with the paper towel not to over-saturate it to the point where it would drip. At least if the liquid were alcohol based, it would evaporate almost immediately. Water will not.

 

[cdabc123]

The wet papertowel is really not a good idea. Too much water can seriously damage the CPU. In addition, the thermal paste can get gooey, and not fully come off without some alcohol to help dissolve it.

it has worked for dozens of cpus i've worked on as long as its just a little damp it should work

 

[Burniee_]

Dont use baby wipes, they wont get the thermal paste off and leave a greasy residue. If anything, toilet paper and mouthwash with alcohal in it would be your next best thing.

 

[ubercake]

Nail polish remover? Anyone tried this? Non-acetone type?

 

[madmatt30]

Seriously - just get a bank/credit card -30 degree angle & scrape the stuff off from left to right - catch it on a paper towel .
You don't need every last bit off - a dull finish on the CPU die is absolutely fine for applying your new paste.

 

[digitaldoc]

Nail polish remover has historically had acetone it in. It evaporates quickly, and can be used for this. However, the newer versions of it don't have acetone, and don't work as well.

 

[ubercake]

Check this thread out:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2148418/nail-polish-remover-remove-thermal-paste-cpu.html

Dry paper towel may be the answer...

 

[digitaldoc]

I would sooner use a dry cotton rag, and just wipe off the thermal paste. At least should not ruin the CPU.

 

[Burniee_]

Or you could ask your neighbor...

 

[ubercake]

Or you could ask your neighbor...

I like this one.

 

[veredaux]

well thx for all of your replys i'll try damp paper towel then