Cleaning the Northbridge

[TJM]

I'm about to replace the passive cooler on my Northbridge with a fan and I was wondering about the best way to clean off whatever thermal paste is under there now.

I have some of this stuff: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-000-AC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

Is that suitable? And is Arctic Silver 5 good to use as the new thermal interface?

 

[PaulyD]

That will be perfect and AS5 will be fine, I personally prefer MX-2 though, got better results with it and no burn in time

 

[shadowscotland]

That stuff is fine for cleaning off the old goo/pad (use it myself)
Wipe of the goo with kitchen roll and the first solution and an old lense cloth (or paper coffee filter) with the second. - Kitchen towel fibres don't conduct heat very well

AS5 is fine but personally I use MX-2 (not uses a metal based TIM in years now) If you already have some use it (carefully) if buying new get a quality non-conductive type.

Edit: Snap

Edit2: why are you adding a NB fan? a good zalman, thermalright, noctua or enzotech NB will run passively with case air flow.