Coffe filters for cleaning?

TechMinerUK · 6 Jul 2015 at 11:47

Coffee filters for cleaning?

Hello again, as per usual I find myself at a local supermarket contemplating what to purchase.

However since I'm cleaning the TIM off my CPU and GPU today and I don't have any clean microfiber cloths (Any that I have are covered in screen cleaner) I'm just wondering if coffee filters will work for cleaning the GPU die. I've heard of others using them but since there is a plateau of experts here I put my trust in you to know the best method.

Also is there a preferred brand of coffee filters for cleaning GPU dies/CPUs

Armageus · 6 Jul 2015 at 12:03

The only reason coffee filters are recommended is because they are lint free, but realistically you can use almost anything (cloth / tissue / kitchen roll / coffee filter / ear buds) to clean cpus or gpu dies, providing you use isopropyl alcohol or similar to break down the old TIM, and the cloth etc is just used to wipe, rather than scrub.

If you are going to a supermarket specially, just buys some really cheap blue/white "jay cloths", they work fine - no need for specific micro fibre cloths for this (keep them for your screen)

pastymuncher · 6 Jul 2015 at 13:04

I use kitchen roll to wipe the old tim off then another piece with IPA on it to clean it and then another piece to dry it. I have always done it this way and have never had a single problem.

mushtafa · 6 Jul 2015 at 13:14

Kitchen roll and cotton buds. Job done

TechMinerUK · 6 Jul 2015 at 13:24

Great stuff, right now though I'm just dancing around the room as the system has booted

Rainmaker · 6 Jul 2015 at 14:00

If you're going to the supermarket just call at the chemist on the way out. A six pack of lint free surgical gauze/dressing is about 30p and perfect for this.

TechMinerUK · 6 Jul 2015 at 16:28

Rainmaker said:
If you're going to the supermarket just call at the chemist on the way out. A six pack of lint free surgical gauze/dressing is about 30p and perfect for this.

In the end I just bought some coffee filters and jay clothes. The system is just stress testing with the temporary cooler and is staying under 70c on intel burn test so the cloth has done its job