Have I ruined my CPU

[davemeio]

Hello everyone,
recently i had to swap my motherboard. In doing so I had to remove and clean my cpu. After cleaning it i realized that what i was cleaning it with was not alcohol but a mixture of benzalkonium chloride (it's not corrosive, turns out it's a disinfectant) and deionized water... I was however very careful when cleaning the thermal paste off, I used a slightly dampend q-tip and now my processor has been sitting in its box for a week. Should I try to put it back in the motherboard or should I replace the cpu?

 

[Justiceinacan]

You don't really know if you ruined it if you didn't try it. If you were only cleaning the top where the thermal paste would be I don't see many common ways it would just wreck the board, if that's what you're concerned about.

 

[Dunlop0078]

There is no strict law that you must use alcohol to clean your cpu or you will destroy it. Its just recommended you use alcohol because it leaves no residue and evaporates quickly. So no I highly doubt you damaged the cpu, if that stuff you used left any residue I would try to clean it off with rubbing alcohol before you reinstall the cpu and apply thermal paste.

 

[davemeio]

You don't really know if you ruined it if you didn't try it. If you were only cleaning the top where the thermal paste would be I don't see many common ways it would just wreck the board, if that's what you're concerned about.

What I am concerned about is messing up all the other pieces... It would be a bummer to have to replace the CPU but, I mean, that's the price for doing something stupid. It would be much worse if I put everything back again and the messed up CPU would wreck the board, the ram and the M.2 ssd...

 

[mcnumpty23]

they use it to sterilize stainless steel medical implants it doesnt corrode those cant see it being a problem

 

[mcnumpty23]

and even if the cpu didnt work cant see any way it will damage other components

just wouldnt get a display on the monitor

 

[MasterMace]

Use isopropyl alcohol to clean off any residue that you'd have left on it from the disinfectant.

 

[geofelt]

If the only contact was with the metal heat spreader, then there is no impact at all on the functioning of the cpu.
Even if there was some strange residual.
People have used peanut butter as a thermal paste without issue.

Regardless, your only option is to try it.
The thing to be most careful about is that you do not damage the pins or pads when reinserting the cpu into the motherboard soclet.

 

[davemeio]

Hi everybody! It's me! I've just rebuilt and the computer works perfectly! I have done as everyone has suggested, but, most importantly, I have stayed calm thanks to the overwelming help I have got from you all. That's why I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for your woderful support! I don't think I would have taken the chance and built it back if it weren't for you!

 

[mcnumpty23]

hey you are welcome-didnt think would be any issue with it