Thermal compound+exposed heatsink*cpu=X

[KrakenKnight]

Sent a few components in for rma, one being my mobo and currently my cpu resides within its cardboard box and pampered with anti static wrap.

Unfortunately in Aus you can't stroll down to any store and grab concentrated alcohol to remove thermal compound so.....

Does X=a bad thing. Or does X=nothing to worry about

Is there any great urgency in removing the thermal paste? (as it'd require online purchase with a hefty postage cost)
Based on what I can assume of the possible reactions, could dried paste perhaps damage either component? By corrosion maybe?

Any insight would be awesome

 

[azaran]

Don't sweat getting the compound off in a hurry, it wont do any harm if it sits on the heatsink.

Depending on the type of paste, the "will it damage components" answer varies. As long as its a nonconductive paste you shouldn't have anything to worry about. the concern is if its conductive it can short/jump lines and do some damage. Chances are your using a nonconductive type, so cleaning the various parts with Isopropyl Alcohol or electrical cleaner should be fine, making sure of course that nothing is plugged in and you give the parts sufficient time to dry.

Also when you look for alcohol, look specifically for Isopropyl Alcohol (or Isopropyl Cleaning Alcohol), and also check the nails section in the various stores in your area, it may be stocked in there.

 

[KrakenKnight]

Good to hear
I doubt "be quiet" would bother providing an electrically conductive thermal paste.
Edit: According to another post it's TC-5121 (which doesn't seem to have much info on it anywhere). Judging by its price I doubt it'd conduct.

Thanks for your time mate

 

[azaran]

Yeah you pretty much have to go out of your way to find conductive thermal paste so no worries there. Glad I could help, good luck with the alcohol search!