Is it safe to use my Ryzen 3 1200 processor after possibly over heating it?

Elf_Knight

Honorable
Nov 9, 2013
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I didn't have any thermal paste for a few days and read online you could use tooth paste as thermal paste. In fact, I used it in an Intel PC ages ago with no problems. However, I ran out of thermal paste for this Ryzen build so I used toothpaste I had on hand for a few days. It was working fine and temps were normal but this morning I got a sudden urge to check on the processor and change it because I got my thermal paste last night just didn't have time to do that. However, this morning I tried unscrewing my processor and it wouldn't unscrew after a while. At first I thought that the screws were jammed or something. Then I realised it was unscrewed but the processor was stuck to the heatsink. I tried pulling it off and managed to pull it off but I heard this really strange sound of rushing air almost like a vacuum or something. There wasn't a bang or explosion though it sounded really scary for a minute.

Then I noticed tons of melted plastic around the CPU edges which I now realise are the tooth paste. The heatsink base that goes on the CPU is really stuck with burnt tooth paste though I can clean it off. I might have cleaning alcohol if not would just water and toilet paper work? I do have fresh thermal paste to install. I also noticed my graphics card was warm to the touch though all the temperatures on the AMD software were well under 80 degrees. My CPU was not overheating though I guess I got lucky that I checked on it today before it got totally destroyed. I am really worried about using it again. Would it still work? I Had a weird issue where my PC turned off randomly one time when I moved the tower on my desk while it was still on but that could have been a loose cable cause it worked fine. My case does not have greatest airflow. I might get a new case soon or some more fans. It's a budget cooler master micro atx case.

My specs:
Ryzen 3 1200
Gigabyte Micro ATX motherboard
8gb DDR4 2400 mhz ram dual channel
240gb Kingston SSD
1TB HDD Western Digital Blue
550 watt Corsair VS power supply
only 1 120mm exhaust fan (should I get two more for intake?)

I got the tooth paste off on the outside. Trying to clean the CPU now. Pins seem okay.
 
Yeah the temps were fine! Also it looked like plastic but it was just the blue tooth paste that had melted. I checked before and I don't think there was any plastic on the heatsink or CPU. The CPU had pre applied thermal paste but I had to remove that due to changing a motherboard and stuff. So there was no plastic from the heatsink or processor. It was just the tooth paste which is a huge relief. Temps were fine though so I will go to the shop when in a bit and get some rubbing alcohol, clean it up and put on the fresh thermal paste. So relieved I found this out when I did and that I didn't try to overclock it or anything!
 
I managed to get the processor mostly clean. However I noticed this goop on the pins which is most likely tooth paste. Is it safe to use the processor with that stuff on? I will go to the store to get tweezers and a magnifying glass so I can try to remove it but I don't wanna break the pins. Any thoughts on this?