Is cleaning the GPU gold pins with a common napkin safe ???

[El_BuRRo_MeX]

I just got a new GPU and installed it no trouble but I also installed a new CPU cooler and reapplied the thermal paste. Because it was a mess I was worried if the golden pins (the part that goes into the PCI slot) could have been stained with some thermal paste , I watched it carefully and I didn't see anything on it but to be more certain I took a napkin from my kitchen and swiped it in the golden pin thing... I checked the napkin and it wasn't any compound and re checked the GPU pin by pin and In between, it didn't seem to have any compound in it so I put it on the PCI slot. It is bad to use napkins to clean the pins ???

 

[ThatVietGuy]

No, not at all.

 

[laviniuc]

it's fine, just make sure you don't scratch them

 

[eddieb101]

If you can't physically see anything on the pins then leave them alone, if you do see anything then use compressed gas to blast anything loose off the pins, failing that use a cotton ear bud covered (but not dripping) with rubbing alcohol. Use a paper towel to LIGHTLY clean any excess liquid away. Then use a hair dryer to ensure everything is dry. AT NO POINT SHOULD YOU EVER TOUCH THE PINS WITH ANYTHING METALLIC OR BY YOUR HANDS.

 

[Tradesman1]

Best I've found is a foam swab (like a makeup applicator), cotton swabs can leave cotton fibers, with rubbing alcohol (which dries extremely fast, there are also lint free cloths available

 

[pecul1ar]

I use kneaded eraser, the very soft ones, to remove stains from them contact points. For your particular situation with napkins, use a dabbing motion, not swiping to avoid scratching.

 

[Tradesman1]

Careful with erasers they can leave stuff on the contacts, same with Q-tips leaving cotton fibers 😉