Using contact cleaners to remove thermal paste

[ClockHound]

ArctiClean

+1. Leaves your cpu smelling lemon fresh!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I will admit when I am wrong. It looks like that method would work. I have been around the computer building community for 20 years, and I have never even heard someone even mention that method.

However, I wouldn't have the patience for that when a cloth and a little alcohol works so well, is so cheap, and gets the job done quickly every time.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Not to dis the OP for his tape method. Nor do I care to question the idea that some type of tape doesn't leave an adhesive residue.

But even if I followed the "tape method," I'd still clean off the processor cap with isopropanol. And while we'd want to have 99% isopropyl handy all the time, second-best is 70% drugstore rubbing alcohol.

TIM of various kinds often leaves an oil stain on the processor cap, or you can see it if the cap has been lapped to bare copper, used with an oil-based TIM, and examined some time later.

The only thing that will thoroughly clean the surface is a good solvent, and the only good solvent for this task and the cleaning of various other electronic parts is isopropyl alcohol.

 

[UsandThem]

The only thing that will thoroughly clean the surface is a good solvent, and the only good solvent for this task and the cleaning of various other electronic parts is isopropyl alcohol.

I'm with you on that. While I was in the military a long time ago, I learned to follow the principal of K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid).

Alcohol is simple, safe, cheap, and effective, so I see no need to overthink such a simple task and make it tougher by finding exotic methods.

But I don't fit in the enthusiast category anymore, so when I build a computer now I am not upgrading my CPU every 6 months like I did back in the wild-west days when your computer was near obsolete after a year.

 

[rpmtl]

However, I wouldn't have the patience for that when a cloth and a little alcohol works so well, is so cheap, and gets the job done quickly every time.

I should clarify that I remove the majority of the TIM by scraping/wiping it off with something (old credit card, dry Qtips, a cloth, whatever) and only use the Scotch® Magic Tape to do the final cleaning. It pulls all the stuff out of the small micro-grooves on my Noctua D14 as well as whatever else might get left behind from the Qtips or other stuff that was previously used.

 

[Keljian]

Meh I use window cleaner on tissues, works a treat.

 

[pcgeek11]

I think you missed where I wrote "usually".

For example https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-DeoxIT-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00006LVEU/

Some contact cleaners do have lubricants.

"Usually" they do not. If you notice that the Deoxit you referenced proclaims itself as "More Than A Contact Cleaner".

 

[Deders]

I should clarify that I remove the majority of the TIM by scraping/wiping it off with something (old credit card, dry Qtips, a cloth, whatever) and only use the Scotch® Magic Tape to do the final cleaning. It pulls all the stuff out of the small micro-grooves on my Noctua D14 as well as whatever else might get left behind from the Qtips or other stuff that was previously used.

Doesn't sellotape leave a sticky residue?