removing thermal compound from cpu - nail polish remover?

[dubcat]

Hi - I used thermal compound (arctic silver 5) between my cpu fan and the cpu itself. I would like to remove this compound now. The fan has been on the CPU for a few years now and has seen daily use.

Can I use nail polish remover to remove the compound? If not does anyone know where I can buy Isopropyl Alcohol on the high street?

Cheers,
Dub

 

[manic111]

Think you can probably get isopropyl from any chemist-try Boots It's what I use and it works fantastically.

EDIT: Make sure you turn on the PC for a few minutes first to make sure that the compound is melted, otherwise you risk it sticking your CPU to your HSF which can result in damage!

 

[Tetsu]

go to a chemists and get some acetone.

 

[dubcat]

Thanks guys - I'll pick some up today

 

[Big.Wayne]

does anyone know where I can buy Isopropyl Alcohol on the high street?

Spray cans of IPA can be picked up from a popular high st electronics shop.

I used to buy liquid IPA and bottles of Acetone from Boots but these days they give you a funny look as these substances are popular with Drug Addicts and Terrorists!

Anyways Acetone is a bit OTT for cleaning away TIM, a Tin of IPA (pictured above) and a bottle of AKASA Citrus cleaning fluid is pretty much all that is needed to clean most PC gunk!

 

[kppanic]

I use baby wipes and they work great! And afterwards the CPU and the HS smell very babylike too!

 

[kerrgreg]

ive used baby wipes too just let it try off before reappling tim or before storage

 

[Ben M]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17922179&highlight=thermal+interface+material

 

[Pneumonic]

picked up a TIM cleaning set a while back has lasted a long time now and hardly used at all definatly worth just buying one will last a long time

 

[Pilky01]

Ive never used anything apart from a lint free cloth. I use mx2 and it just tends to wipe off.

 

[RJC]

I use Akasa TIM cleaner with an old sock, bought the cleaner while ago.

 

[El Jimben]

I use Akasa TIM cleaner.

Another vote for this, it'll leave your CPU smelling lemony fresh too

 

[RJC]

Another vote for this, it'll leave your CPU smelling lemony fresh too

Air freshener / cleaner in one

 

[Tetsu]

yeah that akasa lemon stuff is sweet

 

[muon]

It shouldnt really have any extra smell other than the smell of the chemical itself since that perfurme could leave a residue.

I use isopropyl alcohol 99% as well (IPA) as well. Dissolves the TIM easily. Evaporates very quickly leaving no residue.