thermal paste nightmare

[Drake5]

I was installing an i3 today for my new pc.

I didn't realise I had a smear of thermal paste on one of my fingers. As I picked the CPU up I smeared thermal paste on the back of it. I softly wiped it off but when I held it to Tue light I could see discoloration where the paste was.


I'm scared to try it, will it be OK?

 

[WYNIR0]

What, on the contact side?

 

[PhillyDee]

Just give it a damn good clean. Preferably using IPA, meths or even vodka will do.

 

[Drake5]

Yeah on the contact side.

 

[WYNIR0]

Yeah on the contact side.

Well, Like PhillyDee says, give it a good clean using Alcohol etc before trying.

 

[Drake5]

I didn't have any cleaning solutions at hand so I gave it a go and it seems fine.


Did I get a lucky escape?

 

[WYNIR0]

I didn't have any cleaning solutions at hand so I gave it a go and it seems fine.


Did I get a lucky escape?

Depends if the paste was conductive.

 

[Showboat]

I had a similar issue, been running fine for 2 years.

 

[Drake5]

The CPU really has been through the wars. As I took it out the packaging it dropped on the floor luckily carpet.

All seems well though what sort of thing should I keep an eye out for?

 

[PhillyDee]

It exploding.

If it works it works. CPU's generally work, or not.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

lol, I hope you dont any warranty claims later on.

 

[Drake5]

It exploding.

If it works it works. CPU's generally work, or not.

That's really good to hear. I get paranoid about stuff like this though.

lol, I hope you dont any warranty claims later on.

Me to. I think everything is fine though, I'm worrying that something I've done might affect the performance of the CPU or would that be impossible?

Cheers

 

[Drake5]

Guys this is what the product description of the thermal paste says


Description
Cooler Master HTK-002 thermally conductive compounds are grease-like silicone materials, heavily filled with heat conductive metal oxides. This combination promotes high thermal conductivity, low bleed and high-temperature stability. These compounds resist changes in consistency at temperatures up to 177C (350F), maintaining a positive heat sink seal to improve heat transfer from the electronic device to the heat sink or chassis, thereby, increasing the overall efficiency of the device.

 

[Narj]

The CPU really has been through the wars. As I took it out the packaging it dropped on the floor luckily carpet.

Luckily? You're fortunate it still works and didn't get a big zap, IMO.

 

[Scougar]

I was using some 'Diamond' thermal compound and thanks to the design of my Dell's BTX HSF.. jsut trying to get the cooler off ripped the CPU out of the socket!

 

[Drake5]

So even with the thermal not being wiped off with alcohol (Just gently rubbed it using tissue, could still see a dark streak where the thermal had been)

Everything should be OK? As said it's working pretty fine right now...

Cheers

 

[Ouch!]

The CPU really has been through the wars. As I took it out the packaging it dropped on the floor luckily carpet.

All seems well though what sort of thing should I keep an eye out for?

A nice static-electricity nylon carpet I hope!

 

[Drake5]

Oh well it's working I guess that's all that matters. The thermal paste thing does worry me a bit though but it seems the type I used doesn't conduct electricity.

Just hope everything will be OK in the long run.

 

[Phil2008]

I was using some 'Diamond' thermal compound and thanks to the design of my Dell's BTX HSF.. jsut trying to get the cooler off ripped the CPU out of the socket!

You must not just pull,, slightly twist heatsink to brake the seal first

 

[Drake5]

Is their any risk of the pin side getting burned? As said I made sure all the thermal was wiped off it but when I help the CPU up to the light I could still see streaks of where it had been.

Cheers