Thermal Paste on lower metal rim of cpu

[atomicworms]

I am a beginner at pic building. I had to turn my AIO water cooler to get the ram in correctly. When I took the cooler off the thermal paste went onto the lower rim of the top metal on the processor. It is at a very weird angle to remove and I cannot get it off even with alcohol. Is this okay or should I keep removing it all?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142423687@N07/shares/2YjyGE

 

[richiestang_78]

As long as the compound isn't in actual socket or on the bottom of the CPU itself it wont harm anything. Remember you only need between a rice and pea sized amount of compound.

 

[atomicworms]

Here's what it looks like
https://www.flickr.com/photos/142423687@N07/shares/2YjyGE

 

[richiestang_78]

That's fine, if you're worried just pop out the CPU and clean it off.