Dried Thermal Paste

[eltharraxin]

There's dried thermal paste on the lid of my CPU (got it off a friend). Is it safe to scratch the paste off the lid, or do I need to heat/liquidify it then wipe it off?

 

[volkgren]

That might scratch the surface of the IHS, which could affect the heat transfer between it and your heatsink. Not a huge deal, but something to consider.

Solution is to use something like a cotton ball and isopropyl alcohol to remove the thermal paste.

 

[Sahil rajput]

its not safe because it might affect the contact between the cpu and heat sink of cooler , it is better if you use alcohol to clean it up and put new paste
use something like cotton or lint free cloth to wipe it up.

hope this helps you

 

[Karadjgne]

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) 75% or better.
Coffee filters.

Do not soak the cpu or filter. You barely need to get the filter damp, you do not want drippage into the socket or soaking the pcb under the cpu.