What happens if thermal compound drips into pci express port?

[abrune892]

So my boyfriend is building his first computer and applied the whole tube of thermal compound that came with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. because the instructions are just pictures and he's not good with that I guess anyways it was really runny and he dripped some on the mother board and over some of the pci express ports (and other ports I'm not sure how many are pci or whatever).... So basically is that bad? that it's in the port we're can't really tell IF it dripped down but it definitely dripped over it..... He said he added the whole tube, also how to get it off the processor if theres too much and also how to get it off the ports/ other parts of motherboard??? He said he didn't realize it would be runny because everywhere he saw said it would be like paste and thick.... Anyways is the computer ruined what should we do?

 

[terry4536]

It isn't good. Most thermal paste are non-conductive. But that doesn't mean that they will not interfere with normal operations in a PCI Express x16 slot. I would try to clean it out as best that you can. Otherwise use the next PCI Express x 16 slot.

 

[terry4536]

You can use iso -Propyl rubbing alcohol as a cleaning agent. There are also cleaners specifically for that purpose.

Arctic Silver Arcticlean Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) - OEM - OEM


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010&cm_re=thermal_grease_solvent-_-35-100-010-_-Product

 

[abrune892]

does anyone know if that specific thermal compound conductive? Can you put rubbing alcohol on the motherboard though or in the ports? is there a way to get it out of the ports/off the motherboard? Will it fry the computer if it is in the port though? He's new to biulding computers and I'm clueless so neither of us know how to get it out of the pci port... thanks for helping

 

[terry4536]

You would have to research the Cooler Master website for that information.

I would start with just swabbing the area with dry materials and then do the same with iso-propyl alcohol. Do this with the motherboard unplugged and the capacitors depleted (hold the PC reset button in for a minute or so with it unplugged).

Note: iso-propyl alcohol is conductive. So let it evaporate before powering it back up.

 

[abrune892]

So ar the only thing in the case is the motherboard, processor, and I guess he just finished putting the hyper 212 in, other than that there isn't any power supply or electricity anywhere.... We cleaned up what we could find and he just removed the paste and there was just enough left in the tube for a pea sized amount so he started over.... I guess he's just gunna go with it and watch for any problems for now.... Thank you for you help though it is appreciated

 

[terry4536]

You will probably be OK. Just allow an hour or so for the alcohol to evaporate.

Alternatively, you could use a hair dryer to heat up the slot to evaporate the alcohol.

 

[abrune892]

So my boyfriend is a little imaptient because he's excited for his new computer lol and he want to put the video card in right now I just told him what you wrote and he said hedidn't use that much it was on a q-tip.... Should he still wait an hour lol?

 

[terry4536]

Let me put it this way. How much did you spend on the system? Because it takes less than a second to turn it into a paper weight.

Use a hair dryer if you are impatient.

 

[abrune892]

Very good point, he's been watching youtube on the laptop for now so I think he's trying to distract himself... He just went and got the hair dryer lol

 

[terry4536]

And I should add "good job" in building your own system.

It makes a big difference in the whole overall understanding of computing. Figuring out 'what goes where" is half the battle.

 

[terry4536]

Good luck.

 

[abrune892]

He got it up and running a few hours ago and has been on it since and there doesn't seem to be any issues so that's awesome thanks for your help

 

[terry4536]

You're welcome.