Removing "Stock" thermal pad/paste from new AMD 64 x2 3800 so I can use Artic Silver5

[jpe20]

Hi folks,

Sorry for the long title !!!! Is there any easy way I can remove the original thermal square of thermal material/pad so I can use Artic Silver 5 thermal compound??? I am thinking of using meths(white spirit!) and kitchen roll!!! (low tech solution/idea!) Is this a silly idea?? Just that I am about to fit the PSU and Motherboard now and may get round to fitting the new CPU tonight. Do you think it will be too messy/difficult to get this stuff off?? Just that once I start I cannot give up half way for obvious reasons.

Any suggestions appreciated.

A quick answer will be appreciated massively..... If a solution is already posted then I am sorry but could u tell me (link) where it is (or what search terms etx). Just that I am in a hurry to get my new computer built!!!!! All the bits arrived yesterday "finally!!!".

Jules

 

[jpe20]

lol .... no I won't clean it on the carpet!!!!!!!! Well I've decided and purchased some TIM cleaner (Asaka ... spelling???) from PC world today!!!! It was the last bottle so I feel kinda chuffed having got the proper stuff. The chemist did not have any of the iso... alc.. stuff and the guy helpful as he was kept stressing loads of stuff about solvent abuse!!!!!

Anything that is a solvent based on oil/petrol (ie meths) seems to leave a small resididue (from what I've seen on forums). One "strong" tip I read was to use "carbareteur cleaner" basically a strong degreaser containing something called Xylene from Halfords. I did happen to pop in there and every tin/spray can of carb. cleaner/component degreaser seemed to be oil/petrol based and contained no Xylene!!!!!!!

Anyhow thanks for the advice but it seems that the TIM cleaner will last for ages and at 4quid from PC world suits me in the end. Now I am to find out the perils of lifting/prising that metal lid off the CPU and run in "naked" config!!! Is this what they mean by "naked"????

lol Jules

 

[jpe20]

As for scraping that s&&& off. To minimise surface damage and eliminate scratches to the heat sink you should either use something plastic or wooden. Any metal object (even wrapped in paper) will leave the possibilty of scratching the metal surface.

I myself am about to enjoy a nice ice lolly and use the remaining "stick" to clean off the main gunk off the heat sink.

Somethig learned from the uni. days .... though I did not learn much!!!! lol

Jules