Thermal paste remover alternative?

[Jamiejay64]

Hi there,

I know that isopropyl alcohol is best to use for cleaning thermal paste off the cpu.

I literally can find isopropyl alcohol / surgical spirit / rubbing alcohol anywhere. I have looked in all the usual.shops with no luck.

Would turps, white spirit, or anything else more readily available work just as well?

 

[Gam3r01]

Where are you located?
Certain alcohols will work, and there are also online removers (Arctic Silver has some) but isopropyl is generally the cleanest and cheapest.

 

[mp5mafia]

Ask at any pharmacist.
They will give you weird look of why you need it for lol

 

[jimmysmitty]

Unless you live in a very locked down country, Isopropyl is available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. The only problem I tend to have is finding 99%, which is preferable, and get stuck with 70% more often.

 

[Gam3r01]

Unless you live in a very locked down country, Isopropyl is available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. The only problem I tend to have is finding 99%, which is preferable, and get stuck with 70% more often.

I can usually find 91% at the most.
Dollar store sells 50%, my college bookstore sells 55% (What?), walmart sells 70, and walgreens sells 91. Havent found higher.

 

[jimmysmitty]

I used to be able to find 99% at walgreens but that has stopped. Not sure why.

 

[Jamiejay64]

Where are you located?
Certain alcohols will work, and there are also online removers (Arctic Silver has some) but isopropyl is generally the cleanest and cheapest.

I'm in the UK. I've checked the supermarkets, drug stores and hardware shops but no luck. Looks like ill need to order some online

 

[Gam3r01]

You can find some 99% on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/500mL-Pharmaceutical-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Isopropanol/dp/B00WLAS9W8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452022283&sr=8-1&keywords=isopropyl+alcohol
But you should have no issue finding it locally. Have you talked to a pharmacist (or are they called chemists?)

 

[jimmysmitty]

You can find some 99% on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/500mL-Pharmaceutical-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Isopropanol/dp/B00WLAS9W8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452022283&sr=8-1&keywords=isopropyl+alcohol
But you should have no issue finding it locally. Have you talked to a pharmacist (or are they called chemists?)

I think they are called Wizards in the UK....

J/K

I would go to your local drug store and ask them is they have it. Maybe they don;t keep it out front like here in the US, you know since we are all raging alcoholics and all.

 

[mp5mafia]

Boots have it on the shelf man.

 

[Jamiejay64]

I have been in to boots and asked. They took me to antibacterial hand wipes... The assistant didn't know what to do.

Would you say specific cpu cleaning products are better than isopropyl alcohol? Or does it not not make a difference?

 

[jimmysmitty]

Well pure alcohol is the best, no additives, but if you can find the Arctic cleaner it is just as good and designed to clean off old TIM.

I am surprised you can;t find bottled rubbing alcohol.....

They must fear you plan to drink it.

 

[mp5mafia]

Specific products will more likely cost more and difference is none.
You will just pay premium for better packaging .
I buy mine at Boots and it's cheap xD
It's called 'Surgical Spirit B.P.'
500ml bottle
90% Ethanol

 

[Jamiejay64]

Specific products will more likely cost more and difference is none.
You will just pay premium for better packaging .
I buy mine at Boots and it's cheap xD
It's called 'Surgical Spirit B.P.'
500ml bottle
90% Ethanol

Ill need to have another look!