How to clean heatsink & CPU?

gsf600y · 16 May 2015 at 10:55

Hi,
Currently got my stock cooler installed on Intel i7 4790K.
Working just fine, but have now had this delivered:

Unfortunately, looks like someone has had their grubby mits on it already, clear finger print on it

Looks like the box has already been opened too. All OK though.

So, I've got some Isopropyl alcohol. Is that going to be fine to clean the heatsink with?
And can I also use it to clean the old thermal paste off the processor?

Lastly, do I use my 9 year old Artic Silver 5, or go with what came with the heatsink:

Any cleaning tips appreciated

Thanks

stulid · 16 May 2015 at 10:56

You may have to lap the base with 1000grit wet+dry to get those marks off.

The alcohol is safe to use, but its the oils from the skin that "etches" the marks onto the bare metals.

Use the newer paste.

gsf600y · 16 May 2015 at 11:00

stulid said:
You may have to lap the base with 1000grit wet+dry.
its the oils from the skin that "etches" the marks onto the bare metals.

Seriously? Wow. "etches"?? Maybe I should get it sent back then. Rather annoying. Will they affect the thermal performance?

Isn't sandpaper just going to badly scratch the smooth finish?

stulid · 16 May 2015 at 11:05

Thats way you work your way through different paper grades till its smooth again.

Give it a wipe with the IPA and it will be ok to use, but if you want those fingerprints gone then you need to lap it.

BuToNz · 16 May 2015 at 11:09

I really doubt it'll make much difference. Just wipe with the IPA and stick it on with the newer paste.

Don't bother with that sanding, the pastes job is to fill the gaps!

lude1962 · 16 May 2015 at 12:32

scrape the excess TIM off the cpu with a credit card first then use IPA to wipe off the remainder

a white cooler, mmm black body radiation, may have an effect

Blackjack Davy · 16 May 2015 at 13:54

I'd love someone to do a benchmark test with a heatsink with fingerprints and a heatsink without and compare the difference. I'm willing to bet its negligible to non-existent. Its more of a cosmetic issue.

stulid · 16 May 2015 at 14:03

There wont be any measurable difference.

DirtyJester · 16 May 2015 at 14:29

stulid said:
There wont be any measurable difference.

Tell that to someone with OCD

gsf600y · 16 May 2015 at 14:31

Blackjack Davy said:
I'd love someone to do a benchmark test with a heatsink with fingerprints and a heatsink without and compare the difference.

You need to get out more

I'm going to clean it, and live with the finger print. Some lucky guy at OcUK or the Alpenfohn has his finger living in my system for the next 10 years

Thanks for the advice chaps