Spilled thermal paste on the cpu socket with the cpu ON IT.

[fedefrasis]

So, I was transpalnting the motherboard to a new mobo and realized I had no paste and had to install a new CPU (AMD Fx 8350, the board is an ASUS M5A97 PRO 970).
Went out and found only a local brand manufactured here in Argentina (it's not that bad, heard of a technician who uses it since it's easy to find). Most shops here don't care about what brand of thermal paste they carry. So, assume it's not the best, but it has yet to have someone march back into the store enraged.

Thing it, I have an itchy finger, and I put in too much. I quickly wiped the excess, but I was left worried (did any seep into the socket crevice while the cpu was in place? IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?)
The computer was running fine as far as i can tell

I went back and checked (The cpu has a CoolerMaster Hyper T4 that's painal to dislodge)

And, yeah. It had paste
Around the edges, the first couple line of pins closest to the edge of the socket both in the board and on the proccessor. I panicked. But the computer runs fine. I asked my dad, a retired electronics engineer (he's not that up on current things) and he said as long as it works, it should be fine and that it's unlikely it'll be a problem since it should not conduce electricity and that considering both things are so close it should be designed taking into account a little spill.

Reassured, I put it back

But now it's fucking eating away at me.
Heck, i'm typing from that computer and not sure if it should even be on
I'm terrified to use it for gaming which is it's function, I see a texture pop, a loading time that feels a bit too long... and I wonder... (would it affect this? I also have the feeling it takes an extra minute to boot)

The worst part is i did not take pictures and I'm too nervous to dismount the thing again. It's so fucking annoying. While trying to clamp it back, it basically danced on top of the proccesor for a bit (can this damage it)?


I even think I left TOO LITTLE paste this time since the thing moving on top knocked most off. It was left with a very thin layer, so thin I could read the inscription on it.

What do I do?!

 

[rowdymoody]

you are probably fine. when applying thermal paste, you only use a small amount, like the size of a pea. Check your temperatures and see how they are, and just use your computer as normal to see if any problems arise. If your temps are fine, and you aren't getting any issues with the computer, then it's fine.

 

[fedefrasis]

you are probably fine. when applying thermal paste, you only use a small amount, like the size of a pea. Check your temperatures and see how they are, and just use your computer as normal to see if any problems arise. If your temps are fine, and you aren't getting any issues with the computer, then it's fine.

Hi! Thanks for the response! thing is, how can I know it's not damaged?
I want to know I'm not hallucinating the slowness I percieve.
Is there a test to know for sure?
I think two rows closes to to the edge in every direction were a bit smeared in both the socket and cpu. Seems like a lot. Are you sure it's most likely fine? Because I've seen thread after thread where everyone treats it like a catacliptic fuckup. They are so close, it seems ridiculous not no accout for spill in the design. GAAARGH /exaperation and fear

Anyway, I have a can of isoprophilic (sorry for the sure gross misspelling) alcohol and will attempt a clean tomorrow.

How can I know if I've succeded and/or if there's permanent damage

 

[smeezekitty]

Chances are if it is shorted or if something is damaged it would crash.

Check your temps though. High temps can cause slowness (thermal throttling)

Using too much paste can actually make your temps HIGHER

 

[Arnav01]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

 

[fedefrasis]

Chances are if it is shorted or if something is damaged it would crash.

Check your temps though. High temps can cause slowness (thermal throttling)

Using too much paste can actually make your temps HIGHER

Temps are fine.
What is the best thing to measure with?
I tried CPUID HW but it gives three spearate temperatures for the cpu.
Also, wiggling the Cooler left it with, i worry, too little and more probably went into the socket. Again.

I just worry that it's working but underpeforming
The PC does not feel as fast as it should be and takes like four minutes to boot (it used to be slow there too, too much clutter, but never this bad. The upgrade should have made it faster. I also installed a new 1tb hdd and 16gb of ram. Could that slow the boot?)

How do I know if it's damaged? Should I turn it off now and what to clean with?

 

[fedefrasis]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

 

[i7Baby]

If was me, it'd be eating into me that it was not right. I'd shut it down and remove the cooler. Then clean the paste off with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and then put a drop of good (eg Arctic Silver 5) paste on and re-assemble the cooler. Then if it ran for a couple of days, I'd start to relax.

 

[fedefrasis]

I also have NO GUARANTEE my paste is non conductive. All are non conductive? Mine's generic as they come

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfjTjpIDnOg
is this okay? Seems like a terrible idea.
I'd sooner spray the isopropylic (tunejet is the same?) from the can

Also, this is where it's covered

I keep hearing tales of fried boards... Why do you guys think I'll be fine? Is this different somehow?

 

[Arnav01]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

Processor life may be shorten.But don't try to clean it or remove thermal paste on pins without any good technical supervision.You may bend the pins and ruin you day.

 

[smeezekitty]

I also have NO GUARANTEE my paste is non conductive. All are non conductive? Mine's generic as they come

I would say most are NOT conductive. But they may be capacitive
which means they would effectively be somewhat conductive on high frequency pins.

If you are really worried, you can pull the CPU and CAREFULLY (can't stress that enough)
clean the pins. And make sure they are dry before reassembly.

It is worth noting that there is very little real world difference between dirt cheap paste
and expensive Artic stuff

 

[fedefrasis]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

apparently a best answer was selected by itslef.
I still don't know how to clean or make sure it's not damaged. Or that the socket is fine

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

Processor life may be shorten.But don't try to clean it or remove thermal paste on pins without any good technical supervision.You may bend the pins and ruin you day.

Just lifespan? Not gaming or video editing performance/speed? Does it still work just as well?
Also, I'd just spray from the can, not risk bending anything

And what about the board? Can I just spray from the can and wait for it to push or disolve the paste?

 

[smeezekitty]

I suppose you could. But you have to make sure it is absolutely dry before powering on.

Chances are it wouldn't affect speed. It would either fry or crash if it were conducting.

 

[fedefrasis]

I suppose you could. But you have to make sure it is absolutely dry before powering on.

Chances are it wouldn't affect speed. It would either fry or crash if it were conducting.

I think i'll spray it.
Can i do it with the board too?
How can i speed up the drying and does it being dry matter with tunejet (i think it's the same as isopropylic)?

 

[Arnav01]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

apparently a best answer was selected by itslef.
I still don't know how to clean or make sure it's not damaged. Or that the socket is fine

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

Processor life may be shorten.But don't try to clean it or remove thermal paste on pins without any good technical supervision.You may bend the pins and ruin you day.

Just lifespan? Not gaming or video editing performance/speed? Does it still work just as well?
Also, I'd just spray from the can, not risk bending anything

And what about the board? Can I just spray from the can and wait for it to push or disolve the paste?

You can do that but be sure that you discharge all the static energy.(Touch a water tap)
Be careful, good luck.

 

[fedefrasis]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

apparently a best answer was selected by itslef.
I still don't know how to clean or make sure it's not damaged. Or that the socket is fine

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

Processor life may be shorten.But don't try to clean it or remove thermal paste on pins without any good technical supervision.You may bend the pins and ruin you day.

Just lifespan? Not gaming or video editing performance/speed? Does it still work just as well?
Also, I'd just spray from the can, not risk bending anything

And what about the board? Can I just spray from the can and wait for it to push or disolve the paste?

You can do that but be sure that you discharge all the static energy.(Touch a water tap)
Be careful, good luck.

A water tap? Okay, but I'll barely be touching it just to hold it up as i spray, Then i'll set it in its plastic square from its box to dry. For how long? And the board?

 

[Arnav01]

Your Dad is right, as long it works it is fine.
In these kind of situations you should not panic.
Well, first check the temperatures (in BIOS) if they are similar to that which were before you can start gaming.But if they are different(much higher) then open your case and reapply thermal paste (a thin layer).
Use correct procedures.

apparently a best answer was selected by itslef.
I still don't know how to clean or make sure it's not damaged. Or that the socket is fine

I have some paste stuck in the pins and in the sockets.
That does not affect performance? Only temperature?

Processor life may be shorten.But don't try to clean it or remove thermal paste on pins without any good technical supervision.You may bend the pins and ruin you day.

Just lifespan? Not gaming or video editing performance/speed? Does it still work just as well?
Also, I'd just spray from the can, not risk bending anything

And what about the board? Can I just spray from the can and wait for it to push or disolve the paste?

You can do that but be sure that you discharge all the static energy.(Touch a water tap)
Be careful, good luck.

A water tap? Okay, but I'll barely be touching it just to hold it up as i spray, Then i'll set it in its plastic square from its box to dry. For how long? And the board?

On the board, spray the wipe with tissue then repeat.Use a blower to make it completely dry.

 

[fedefrasis]

So, final tally.
Whowould disolve it and let it dry (how long?)
Who would shrug it off and keep using it?

 

[fedefrasis]

On the board, spray the wipe with tissue then repeat.Use a blower to make it completely dry.

what kind of tissue?
A regular one?
should i spray well into the pin holes?

 

[rowdymoody]

So, final tally.
Whowould disolve it and let it dry (how long?)
Who would shrug it off and keep using it?

In my honest opinion I would just shrug it off and keep on using it.
If it helps you sleep at night, run prime 95 to stress test overnight and use HWMonitor to keep tabs on temps and check how it went in the morning. I think that you are just over thinking it, and your brain is creating performance issues that are non existent. You are concerned about it, and therefor over analyzing everything your computer does, where as before this happened you were not freaked out, and didn't pay as much attention to it.