What Isopropyl Alcohol Should I Use For CPU?

[Fin998]

Hey, I have a Intel i7 6770k CPU and a cooler master water cooler. I need to remove the thermal paste on both but I'm having trouble finding isopropyl alcohol in Australia. I only found three: 70% from chemist, 99.8% from jar car and 100% from Bunnings. I've seen some people say that the higher the better but won't 100% burn and damage the CPU?

 

[mudpuppet]

You want to use something over 90%, but like you said the higher the better. Just be careful with how you handle the stuff and you should be fine.

 

[Fin998]

You want to use something over 90%, but like you said the higher the better. Just be careful with how you handle the stuff and you should be fine.

Would you recommend 100% or 99.8%. I'm still kind of worried that 100% will damage the CPU, 100% is pretty strong.

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

Any grade is fine. I use the stuff I get from the pharmacy. As a solvent, rubbing alcohol isn't really that strong. It's best property is that it evaporates at room temp, so it won't stay on components.

No company uses the really bad thermal "gum" of yesteryear. If you need to clean something really sticky, use goo gone then go over with alcohol when your done.

 

[mudpuppet]

Nah you won't have to worry about damaging anything unless you spill the bottle all inside your case and on your clothes and all over the nice new carpet ;-) Like Psy said, the stuff from a pharmacy or grocery store usually works, so whatever won't cost you and arm and a leg to get a hold of (since you won't need tons of it for this job). So either would work.

 

[Onus]

In the USA, we most often see 70% and 91%. The 70% stuff really has too much water in it, some of which may linger for a while on components. The 91% stuff evaporates quickly and completely; that's what I've always used.

 

[CountMike]

There's no 100% isopropyl alcohol, it's too hygroscopic. Higher ht percentage, less water in it and leaves less residue.

 

[dieter_lange]

There's no 100% isopropyl alcohol, it's too hygroscopic. Higher ht percentage, less water in it and leaves less residue.

There is I’ve got a bottle at home

 

[Onus]

Closing necrotic thread.