finger print on cpu

[skyepunzal23]

Hello I just got all my PC parts and while I was building I accidently touched the top of the cpu and i was wondering if it will have any affect. It has a few finger prints on it

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Just wipe them off before you apply thermal paste.

No harm, no foul.

 

[skyepunzal23]

do I use rubbing alcohol?

 

[jr9]

Recommend you clean the CPU cap with isoprobyl alcohol (preferably 90 percent and up) in purity with a lint free cloth. Coffee filters are good for this or a Q tip. Fingerprints have enough width to affect the performance of thermal paste. I like to dip a qtip and scrub lightly with 98 percent iso. The CPU cap should shine and you should see the letters clearly.

 

[skyepunzal23]

so as long as i cleaned it before I applied thermale paste I am good?

 

[jr9]

so as long as i cleaned it before I applied thermale paste I am good?

What I do is put it into the socket, then give it a quick wipe with a q tip in the middle, give it a few seconds do try (higher purity alcholol dries faster), the a pea sized amount of paste (or vertical line on most Intel CPUs, then pop the cooler on and try not to twist the cooler. At worst if you touched it you may see a few degrees temp difference, but the CPU wont instantly melt if the cap or paste is a bit contaminated : ) Lower temp is always better.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

so as long as i cleaned it before I applied thermale paste I am good?

Yes, absolutely.

As above, using as high percent of rubbing alcohol that you can find and just clean the surface until the fingerprints are gone. It won't take much whatsoever.

 

[skyepunzal23]

is 91 percent good

 

[skyepunzal23]

and can I wipe it off with a paper towel?

 

[jr9]

is 91 percent good

Yes it is. No need to wipe it off, it will dry on its own in seconds. You don't need much isoprobyl. Paper towel not recommended for the CPU.

 

[skyepunzal23]

Why is it not okay to use a paper towel because when I did used it I quickly dabbed on it

 

[jr9]

Why is it not okay to use a paper towel because when I did used it I quickly dabbed on it

I just find it's a bit too rough, may leave fibres behind. I use coffee filters. It should be fine though.