Removing thermal residue from AMD64 cpu

[paendragon]

I've decided to upgrade my CPU cooling system. The CPU heat shield has residue on it from the thermal pad that comes on the bottom of the stock heatsink rig.

I want to clean that and apply a batch of arctic silver premium.

Anyone have any suggestion on how to best go about removing the mess off the top of the CPU? Careful scrapping? ....

Thanks in advance!

pd

 

[Chopstick217]

Here are the instructions to apply artic silver. It also tells you how to remove the thermal paste on your CPU Instructions

 

[floppydisk191]

Take 99% (91% at the least) isopropyl alcohol and put some on a lint free cloth, Then rub the cloth on the CPU until all of the thermal grease has come off. Also if it is a thermal pad, use the dull side of a PLASTIC spoon or knife and gently scrape the pad off, then do the instructions above.

Lastly keep using the cloth and the alcohol until you can garantee none of the old thermal compound is left. Also leave the CPU alone for 10-30minutes so you can garantee all of the alcohol has evaporated and is dry.

 

[Zepper]

I scrape the majority off with a plastic tool (the knife they give with a Big Breakfast at Mickey D's works great) to avoid scratching. Then I use lighter fluid (naphtha) to remove the remaining phase-change material. Follow that with a rubbing alcohol rinse and you're ready to go.
.bh.

 

[paendragon]

nice - great replies - thanks guys!

pd