Is It Safe to Clean the Green Part of a CPU with Isopropyl Alcohol?

[JamesZhan]

Hi,

I put a little too much thermal paste and i (inevitably) nudged the heatsink a bit when i installed it. So now there's some paste on the green part. Does that affect the performance?

If I use isopropyl alcohol to clean it, can I dab the green part with the alcohol? My concern is that the alcohol will leak into the gap between the silver part and the green part.

I REALLY hope this CPU is still in great condition. I just bought it.

Thank you!

 

[krzyimprt]

Yes, wipe it up with a cue tip. Why does that thermal paste look all watery? Also all you need is a small pea in the middle.

Like so.

 

[JamesZhan]

Yes, wipe it up with a cue tip. Why does that thermal paste look all watery? Also all you need is a small pea in the middle.

Like so.

Got it!! Thanks! I think it's because I applied too much and nudged the heatsink a bit =( It's very hard to get all the screws right in place right off the bat