Help with left over thermal paste residue on my cpu and heatsink

[UnexceptionalJew]

I'm in the process of building my moms computer and I made a very stupid decision. After needing to take off the heatsink I left the thermal paste on the cpu and heatsink for like 2 months (long story) and I finally am ready to build again but after using 70% alcohol pads (multiple) I can still see the cpu surface and the surface of the heatsink kind of dirty. The heatsink is like a darkish gray. but the cpu is more clear. What should I do? Get a higher concentration of alcohol and try that?

 

[ewok93]

If it's just slightly darker it should be alright. A coffee filter with 90% isopropyl alcohol is ideal, if you can do that.

 

[sunder25]

Try using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

 

[getochkn]

I use goo-off for stubborn thermal paste and then clean after with iso.

 

[toddybody]

I would try rubbing alcohol (IIRC is 90%+ alcohol). Beyond that, I wouldnt recommend trying any other cleaners for thermal paste.

If that doesnt work, I would add some new paste, re-assemble and try to heat it up. See what the temps are.

If theyre fine, they all good...if not, you hopefully would have softened the old compound further...which may aid cleaning again.

 

[sunder25]

Wow.. they have such a thing as goo-off in america...why does that even surprise me.

 

[UnexceptionalJew]

Ok thanks guys that sounds good. I'll try that later today or tomorrow. Are they're any precautions I should take? Anything I should particularly look for?

 

[ewok93]

Well, cotton leaves strands, and goo-off leaves a film. Your only real options are distilled (it HAS to be distilled) water, or isopropyl alcohol. It does leave a bit of a stain if it's a darker paste like Arctic Silver 5.

 

[UnexceptionalJew]

It was just the standard thermal paste that came with the stock cooler. (6800k)

 

[littleleo]

I use a Q-Tip and put a little isopropyl alcohol on it and gentle rub the top of the processor until all is off. You can use a little more elbow grease on the heatsink. Clean both surfaces of all the old thermal paste completely, and be sure they are dry. Then put a thin coat of thermal grease so can see thru it on the top of the CPU, or if you prefer you can put a pea sized ball of thermal past on the center of the CPU and the put on the heatsink and lock it down.

 

[sunder25]

I have something called akasa TIM clean cpu and heatsink cleaner.

It says it's a citrus based solvent-and smells akin to petroleum.
It works very well.
Not sure if you can get that there and buying somehting just for that is a bother.
However it is a solution.
http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Cooling%20solutions&type_sub=Thermal%20Interface&model=AK-TC

 

[getochkn]

I have something called akasa TIM clean cpu and heatsink cleaner.

It says it's a citrus based solvent-and smells akin to petroleum.
It works very well.
Not sure if you can get that there and buying somehting just for that is a bother.
However it is a solution.
http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Cooling%20solutions&type_sub=Thermal%20Interface&model=AK-TC

I meant to say I use Goo-Gone, not Goo-off. Goo-Gone is also a citrus based natural cleaner that is probably exactly the same thing as the TIM remover, but costs $3 for a huge bottle and not $10 for a tiny bottle.