can't get paste off heatsink

[Tylerr]

So i took apart an old laptop (acer aspire 5515) to replace the cpu and i'm not able to clean the heatsink properly.

i got all the loose stuff off, but theres still black spots all on the copper that won't come off.

will those effect temps?

 

[Flying Head]

I searched for photos so I could ask ''does it look like this?'' Found a lot of photos, but nothing close to what I was imagining. It is probably some oxidation that can only be removed with an incredible amount of work. Lapping and polishing until it is bright. A lot of work. Google for heatsink oxidation pictures. If it is clean (Q-Tip stays clean after rubbing), then I would just reassemble it with fresh paste.

 

[Tylerr]

I searched for photos so I could ask ''does it look like this?'' Found a lot of photos, but nothing close to what I was imagining. It is probably some oxidation that can only be removed with an incredible amount of work. Lapping and polishing until it is bright. A lot of work. Google for heatsink oxidation pictures. If it is clean (Q-Tip stays clean after rubbing), then I would just reassemble it with fresh paste.

well i'm pretty sure its the old paste baked into it

its the first time the heatsink has been removed since it was made back in like 08.

 

[Ecky]

Razor blade?

 

[Flying Head]

Agreed. A razor blade would tell you if it were not flat and crusty. Keep the angle low, so as not to scratch the surface. Your finger or finger nail might initially be safer.

Oh! I looked for a diatom polish like a glass stove top cleaner. Maybe a little rouge http://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-chart/ . But they may have other chemicals in them, like phosphorous. Here https://www.everbritecoatings.com/copper_cleaner.htm (the salt is a course abrasive, don't use it, but good for burnt ceramic pans). Obviously rinse well.

I am not responsible for any disaster!

 

[Tradesman1]

Rubbing alcohol and a razor blade works well, pat a little alcohol on the compound with a cotton ball/cloth, let it soak in for a minute and scrape it slowly with little pressure

 

[Chicano]

Baked on thermal paste may indicate overheating and/or cheap thermal paste... try removing the spots with acetone nail polish remover, maybe paint solvent... also auto paint rubbing compound, and depending on previous advice results, and only if absolutely necessary, maybe go as far as using fine grit sandpaper in paint polishing grade (600 to 1000)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpaper

And if you're not able to remove the spots, just use a quality thermal paste and if you encounter overheating issues, get a cooler pad, one with fans included, or maybe get one of those Hayata, STW atttachable extractor fans... to aid the internal cooler.

Laptop Coolers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=laptop+coolers&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[Tylerr]

well i had already put it back on before i made this.

i used the paste that came with my cryorig h7 cooler.

As this is a desktop processor (45 watt) and the laptop is meant to have a 15 watt one i expected it to get hot, hitting about 80c with prime95. Averages around 50-70 during normal use though. I would downclock it but the bios on this has no such option.

just wanted to know if going back and cleaning that off would be worth it.

 

[Chicano]

A desktop processor would not work in place of a mobile processor... they may have the same number of pins/contacts but that's about it... internally they are said to be different. And in case it worked, well, you've said it... power and cooling requirements are much different. So that swap would have not worked.

Will a desktop processor work in a laptop
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/310941-28-will-desktop-processor-work-laptop

 

[Tylerr]

A desktop processor would not work in place of a mobile processor... they may have the same number of pins/contacts but that's about it... internally they are said to be different. And in case it worked, well, you've said it... power and cooling requirements are much different. So that swap would have not worked.

Will a desktop processor work in a laptop
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/310941-28-will-desktop-processor-work-laptop

well the laptop is an acer aspire 5515 and has a desktop socket. Went from an AMD Athlon 2650e to a 5050e

i did research before i bought it (was only $10 anyway) and this is what other people upgraded to in theirs, though i couldn't find any info about thermals.

 

[Chicano]

well the laptop is an acer aspire 5515 and has a desktop socket. Went from an AMD Athlon 2650e to a 5050e

i did research before i bought it (was only $10 anyway) and this is what other people upgraded to in theirs, though i couldn't find any info about thermals.

In that case it should work as long as it isn't allowed to overheat... only feasible options for that would be:
a) replacing the cooler fan for a faster one if you can find it... and
b) adding an external extractor-cooler like those on the newegg page,
c) and maybe include a cooler pad with fans.
Not all three cooling options may be necessary but in case they are, they would certainly get the job done.