Thermal paste in cpu socket
Crashtard
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Basically I'm wondering what the best way would be to get thermal paste out of the cpu socket on the mobo. My buddy was putting a new computer together and used too much paste, and now it's down inside the socket pretty good. From what I understand there's quite a lot in there, like a good coating. Is there some kind of liquid that can be used to remove it without damaging the mobo?
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That said, I think your friend's motherboard is a lost cause. The holes in the socket are pretty damn small, and even with the pressure created when the spray comes out I'm not sure if it will be effective in getting all the crap out.
edit: It wasn't this, but appears to be similar type stuff.
http://www.crazypc.com/products/9346.html
Cause I'm honestly having a hard time trying to think up how exactly one can put so much thermal paste that it drips down into the socket. You would have to use the entire industrial size tube of Artic Silver or something.
This.. One time I put like a dimes worth and all it did is cause my cpu to overheat.
Haha seriously.
Better to try and fail than just toss the whole thing in the garbage.
I also want pics.
PICS I SAY! PICS.
Idiot tax, if you ask me.
It should be a resolvable problem, it's just a question of how complete you can be. Thermal paste doesn't automatically ruin a motherboard, if you can find a way to clean it all off and be sure there's no shorts.. it'll be fine.
That would be like trying to generate 1.21 gigawatts in the 1950's!
The amount of time in manhours is probably less than the cost of new equipment, and it might be amusing.
PSN: SirGrinchX
Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
:P
I was hoping my sarcasm would shine through, but judging by my infraction it clearly did not.
On a more serious note, how new is the motherboard? Some manufacturers are INCREDIBLY good about these kind of things, it's always worth contacting them.
PSN: SirGrinchX
Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
It didn't. The only reason I didn't catch on is because it's not too uncommon to wash electronics and let them dry. Some keyboards can be washed this way.
You're not supposed to use 91% with electronics, you use >=99%. You should be using a solvent like ArctiClean or Akasa TIM-Clean first. I suppose you could use Goof Off as well if you're careful, but you do need to exercise some caution because that stuff is really strong.
Once that is done you use alcohol to remove any excess residue.
Hey, I'm not the one cleaning thermal paste out of a socket. :P
...You really thought 'put it in the dryer' was a serious suggestion :P?
Anyway, I concur with rubbing alchohol, plus lots anf lots of canned air to try and blow out the gunk. It's supposed to be completely non-conductive, so it won't better too much if there's a little bit left inside - as long as the pins can make contact then all should be well.
I'm still scratching my head over how that happened, though... even fi there was way too much paste, the CPU would have been blocking the pins - how'd the gunk get in?
Be REALLY careful if you use Goof Off. That stuff will eat some plastics.
PSN : Bolthorn
I suppose I should make that clearer. Don't use that for taking it off of the motherboard/CPU socket, that advice was for general removal of TIM from metallic surfaces.
Goof Off will do the job of removing TIM from your CPU and heatsink just fine, but there are also much safer alternatives like ArctiClean which happens to include isopropyl alcohol in the second bottle (99% may be hard to find locally and/or be way overpriced) to remove leftover residue.