What to use to remove TIM on GPU?

[Zuhayr378]

I heard that you should use Isopropyl Alcohol over 90% to clean your GPU die and with a lint-free cloth (I'm using a microfiber). The question that remains is I don't have alcohol and I can't get it. I'm broke. My MX-4 non-conductive (which I got for dirt cheap) is coming in the next few days but I'm really broke and alcohol is costing me well over 25 bucks. I can't - I'm a teen, I can't grab from my bank account savings (in the hundreds) neither snag more money from my parents' wallets.

So what else is there to use? I heard the GPU die is fragile as well. Can I use nail-polish remover? Or what? I know water wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[Noah Siano]

....can't tell if trolling or serious....
Isopropal Alcohol comes in a good sized bottle that will last you a while and you can get it at walmart, walgreens, cvs, really anyplace that sells medicine. It is legal to buy at any age. It is not the same as drinking alcohol. It costs maybe $3 for a good sized bottle.

Be sure you get 90% or higher.
And you can use toilet paper for the majority of the thermal paste, just get the tp wet with some isopropal. After you get most of it off, then use the microfiber cloth to get the rest and get rid of any toilet paper remains.

 

[Robertwhyte]

I heard that you should use Isopropyl Alcohol over 90% to clean your GPU die and with a lint-free cloth (I'm using a microfiber). The question that remains is I don't have alcohol and I can't get it. I'm broke. My MX-4 non-conductive (which I got for dirt cheap) is coming in the next few days but I'm really broke and alcohol is costing me well over 25 bucks. I can't - I'm a teen, I can't grab from my bank account savings (in the hundreds) neither snag more money from my parents' wallets.

So what else is there to use? I heard the GPU die is fragile as well. Can I use nail-polish remover? Or what? I know water wouldn't be a good idea.

This is all you need, just follow the instructions:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BKP306?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01

 

[Zuhayr378]

You guys don't understand. I knew you guys would throw me with these prices. It's outrageous that I have to pay a lot for alcohol in Canada. And I haven't found alcohol in that type at walmart. I asked. Trust me.

ALSO, that remover costs $23.76 in Canada. Oh well. :/

 

[Zuhayr378]

I mean why. Our oil prices are dropping like bombs yet alcohol here is that expensive? Hopefully some fellow canucks can help me over here. :/

 

[Noah Siano]

no one sells isopropal alcohol for more than $10??

 

[Zuhayr378]

What if I try just using a bare paper towel. Not toilet paper, just paper towels like Bounty? Like others say "buffing it"?

How would that work?

 

[Noah Siano]

yeah, but you gotta make sure you sand down the cpu so the new thermal paste will stick better

 

[Zuhayr378]

yeah, but you gotta make sure you sand down the cpu so the new thermal paste will stick better

What do you mean sand down?? I understand that it's good to remove EVERY bit of gunk, but I hope you don't refer to getting sandpaper and filing it to make it slimmer...

 

[Noah Siano]

yeah, but you gotta make sure you sand down the cpu so the new thermal paste will stick better

What do you mean sand down?? I understand that it's good to remove EVERY bit of gunk, but I hope you don't refer to getting sandpaper and filing it to make it slimmer...

It's just metal, sandpaper won't hurt it 😀

but for real, just use isopropyl alcohol or the two part solution that robert posted. There is no other good alternative

 

[Zuhayr378]

yeah, but you gotta make sure you sand down the cpu so the new thermal paste will stick better

What do you mean sand down?? I understand that it's good to remove EVERY bit of gunk, but I hope you don't refer to getting sandpaper and filing it to make it slimmer...

It's just metal, sandpaper won't hurt it 😀

but for real, just use isopropyl alcohol or the two part solution that robert posted. There is no other good alternative

I heard AMD uses glass though...not sure about NVIDIA...but in anyways I can't get alcohol. I just can't. I'll go on a hunt to see if I can grab one for cheap over the weekend. If not...then oh well. 🙁

 

[Zuhayr378]

See what I mean guys: http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=isopropyl%20alcohol&sprefix=isopropyl+alcohol%2Caps%2C149

So final answer is isopropyl alcohol. How's 99% rubbing alcohol? Any different?

 

[Noah Siano]

See what I mean guys: http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=isopropyl%20alcohol&sprefix=isopropyl+alcohol%2Caps%2C149

So final answer is isopropyl alcohol. How's 99% rubbing alcohol? Any different?

Rubbing alcohol = isopropyl alcohol
Just go to a store and buy it, it will be cheaper than buying it online. Kind of like trying to buy water online is expensive but its like a dollar at the store

 

[Robertwhyte]

Do not use sandpaper.......... i would of thought that would of been obvious.

 

[Zuhayr378]

See what I mean guys: http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=isopropyl%20alcohol&sprefix=isopropyl+alcohol%2Caps%2C149

So final answer is isopropyl alcohol. How's 99% rubbing alcohol? Any different?

Rubbing alcohol = isopropyl alcohol
Just go to a store and buy it, it will be cheaper than buying it online. Kind of like trying to buy water online is expensive but its like a dollar at the store

Alright, it's okay. I got it. Thanks.

 

[Noah Siano]

Do not use sandpaper.......... i would of thought that would of been obvious.

I couldnt tell if he was trolling me, so I was just trolling back for a bit 😀
(But rlly though, do NOT use sandpaper on your cpu.......it could be okay but i really doubt it)

 

[Zuhayr378]

Wait wait wait guys, I found something else at home. I found some disinfectant wipes which are alcohol-free and are based on ammonium chlorides. Is ammonia bad for GPU dies? Would it harm it? It does claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria in 60 seconds soooo....yeah. Would that work out or would it turn out bad?

 

[Noah Siano]

You don't want alcohol free, you want alcohol haha...
disinfectant wipes are used to make surfaces safe for humans. Not made to clean TIM.

 

[Zuhayr378]

You don't want alcohol free, you want alcohol haha...
disinfectant wipes are used to make surfaces safe for humans. Not made to clean TIM.

ohhhh lol ok

 

[Noah Siano]

Just go to the store and see how much they charge for the smallest bottle of 90% or higher Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol. You won't be using much.
If you honestly cannot pay for it, then nail polish remover will work but be extra careful to not use too much and not let it touch any of the pcb as some of the stuff in nail polish remover can literally eat away at the pcb. The reason everyone uses Isopropyl is because that is what is used to clean pcbs while soldering, and it evaporates so quickly while also cleaning away and TIM.

So absolute worst case scenario...nail polish remover works...but even then, I would almost just recommend you wipe away the TIM with tissues/cloth until it looks as clean as you can get it and just go from there. No cleaning is better than bad cleaning.

 

[Zuhayr378]

It's alright. I've found some 99% isopropyl alcohol from my local Shopper's Drug Mart. It's all good.

 

[sshort]

Seriously, this was one of the most ridiculous threads I've read here.

Zuhayr378, seriously dude, do some basic googling, investigation and READING replies before responding 10 times that you can't afford and/or buy rubbing alcohol.