Removing Thermal Compound

Guitarman0 · 5 Jun 2010 at 01:05

What would be the best way to remove thermal compound from my CPU? (It is the stuff that comes pre-applied on stock coolers)

Thanks

C64 · 5 Jun 2010 at 01:39

bog roll

Talkie_Toaster · 5 Jun 2010 at 02:00

Try & get yourself some Isopropanol & pour some on that bog roll.

Prof. Cheese · 5 Jun 2010 at 02:13

A straw.

dandos23 · 5 Jun 2010 at 02:48

mmmalas said:
nail polish

Only red nail polish though.

Get the proper stuff, its worth it.

vectisitch · 5 Jun 2010 at 09:42

i use a little drop of whisky on a paper towel.mind you ,you wont be able to play any driving games for a while as the pc will be over the limit

Mel_P · 5 Jun 2010 at 09:46

As noted above, iso propanol from local chemists (not Boots they only have nail poish!).

FiCtioN75 · 5 Jun 2010 at 09:53

would a little drop of white spirit do the trick? i changed mine recently and i just used bog roll and that worked fine. id do that unless you have any of the above lying round in the house(you must have some booze).

mremulator · 5 Jun 2010 at 10:06

Mel_P said:
As noted above, iso propanol from local chemists (not Boots they only have nail poish!).

Or even Isopropyl Alcohol.

Lies! I was in my local boots the other day picking up some proctosedyl ointment for my Chalfont St. Giles and they sell lots of stuff... not just nail polish.

iamtheoneneo · 5 Jun 2010 at 10:31

just do it with some tissues, i dont really see why you need to go out and buy some chemicals.

FiCtioN75 · 5 Jun 2010 at 10:51

iamtheoneneo said:
just do it with some tissues, i dont really see why you need to go out and buy some chemicals.

this

Howitzer · 5 Jun 2010 at 11:01

Kitchen roll is better than bog roll I found, it picks more up rather than spread it...

Guitarman0 · 5 Jun 2010 at 11:10

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking about using nail polish remover but my only concern is that when I used it to remove a case badge it ended up removing some of the paint on the case :/ are you sure that will be ok on a CPU?

Thanks

racerboy59 · 5 Jun 2010 at 11:38

Use this - http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK

Cheap enough and does a fantastic job. Besides it will pretty much last forever

ricky · 5 Jun 2010 at 13:18

racerboy59 said:
Use this - http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK

Cheap enough and does a fantastic job. Besides it will pretty much last forever

This.
Not much point in buying a good thermal paste,if your going to apply it to a surface that isnt clean.

K1LLSW1TCH · 5 Jun 2010 at 13:35

I actually did mine with a Nivea wet wipe and then dried the top of the chip with a small towel afterwards.

iNPUt · 5 Jun 2010 at 13:51

mremulator said:
Or even Isopropyl Alcohol.

You don't want to be using stuff with impuritys, some of those suggestions have oils and such in them which leave residue on your chip after the alcohol has evaporated , wouldn't touch them ever.
I got a huge bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol from my local chemist, also got some proper remover from articlean and the Isopropyl is much better / stronger / residueless ..

iNPUt · 5 Jun 2010 at 13:53

mistake

Infam0us · 5 Jun 2010 at 17:24

mmmalas said:
nail polish,

cheap perfume,

any alcohol based substance

Vodka?

pieplough · 5 Jun 2010 at 17:39

Always used white spirit and some q-tips. Would think that bog roll would leave dust/debris on the chip no?