Proper method to remove old thermal paste,pads,...

[Codesmith]

I am considering silencing my PC. That means replacing the heatsinks on my CPU, Video card and chipset.

So what is the proper method in removing the old thermal paste from my CPU?

What about thermal adhesive used to hold on some chipset and VGA heatsinks?

Also what is the best way to remove a thermal pad from a heatsink?

How risky is it to remove a heatsink from a Video card/chipset? Any change of breaking the die?

Any advice/warnings appreciated.

 

[error_911]

its isn't at all hard to remove heatsinks from your video card, northbridge or CPU for that matter, and cleaning off the thermal pade or paste is as easy as grabbing some rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and a gaus pad or cotton pad and wipping it off - the alcohol will dissolve it. Just make sure to let your surfaces dry properly before reapplying paste (and remember, not too much, just enough to cover). As for thermal adhessive, thats a little trickyer - if you have some on your RAM then you're taking a risk removing those heatsinks as it is most likely epoxy and you can rip off the RAM chip's casing.. if its just an adhessive thermal pad ten there's no problem ripping it off.. just be careful and identify it before doing anything.

<b>and now for something completely different</b>
...<b><A HREF="http://bytethiscomputers.sytes.net/site/specs.html" target="_new">system specs</A></b>

 

[Codesmith]

So how do I tell whether an epoxy is in use?

 

[Ris3n_Da3mon]

So how do I tell whether an epoxy is in use?

Well you rip off the heatsink, and if you take off the memory casing.....

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[error_911]

use your best judgment - slip a card between and see.. if its a pad the card will mush it and you'll be able to remove the heatsink, otherwise it'll be TIGHT and clumpy... trust me you can tell

<b>and now for something completely different</b>
...<b><A HREF="http://bytethiscomputers.sytes.net/site/specs.html" target="_new">system specs</A></b>