Thermal Paste (Removal)

Rubicant · 24 Feb 2013 at 14:47

Im planning to test a few cpu coolers on my new rig in fairly quick succession. Typically once installed, i would leave them for years. On the rare occasion where i did change a cooler, it meant getting out some cotton buds and arcticlean (1&2). I dont really care for buds tbh because little strands of cotton would be left behind. I dont want re-usable rag that needs to be cleaned. Just an efficient and hopefully cheap disposable aid to get rid of TIM.

Cheers for any suggestions.

Smoogels · 24 Feb 2013 at 14:56

I use nail polish remover

*hides fingers*

setter · 24 Feb 2013 at 14:57

I use microfibre cloths, they cost 99p from the local grocery store. Cut it into smaller peices and just dump each bit after youve used it. Also, they dont discard fibres like some cloths do.

Pabl0 · 24 Feb 2013 at 14:59

I use alcohol based hand sanitiser and a microfibre cloth as I have loads of the things lying around.

Rubicant · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:09

So would something like this be acceptable
hxxp://www.poundland.co.uk/product-range/a-z/4-microfibre-cloths/

setter · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:13

Yep, will do fine. Ceck in your local store as they may have them as well. Usually in the same section as household cleaning products. Theyre also great for cleaning monitor/tv screens.

LtMatt · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:18

I use nail polish remover and women's face pads. Don't judge me.

Rubicant · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:22

Nice one.
On separate note, should i just stick with my arcticlean? Dont see an expiratory date and ive had it for 4+ years. Seen many people recommend some sort of rubbing alcohol (>90%). Will that degrade over time?

mranderson · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:27

I just use plain toilet paper. Unused one gives better results ;-)

LtMatt · 24 Feb 2013 at 15:34

mranderson said:
I just use plain toilet paper. Unused one gives better results

I wonder how well excrement would work as a replacement for thermal paste. :eek:

Attu90 · 24 Feb 2013 at 16:15

LtMatt said:
I wonder how well excrement would work as a replacement for thermal paste.

I wonder if Bacon tried it before ending up with toothpaste ? ..... I think toothpaste would smell nicer though once it gets hot :confused:

teenwolf · 24 Feb 2013 at 16:22

spit and tissue

j.col · 24 Feb 2013 at 17:34

I just use kitchen towel and elbow grease.

RetrogamerX · 24 Feb 2013 at 19:26

I use this. It work a treat and it smell citrusy

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK&groupid=701&catid=27&subcat=

mmj_uk · 24 Feb 2013 at 21:36

The Akasa TIM cleaner is awesome stuff.

Rubicant · 24 Feb 2013 at 21:37

YEah, ive also got a bottle of the stuff sitting around somewhere. I even looked forward to changing a heatsink becuase of the smell lol.

troops · 24 Feb 2013 at 22:46

I use kitchen towel, works for me anyways.

greenbrucelee · 24 Feb 2013 at 23:18

I use arti clean but if i dont have any at the time I use 90% isopropyl alcohol. I use lint free cloths or coffee filters.

kn100 · 25 Feb 2013 at 06:38

Attu90 said:
I wonder if Bacon tried it before ending up with toothpaste ? ..... I think toothpaste would smell nicer though once it gets hot

Offtopic but in my AMD Sempron 2800+ days I ran mine with Toothpaste (cheap white stuff) for around a month, and it actually worked surprisingly well. Well, after about 3 weeks my temps started rising but I guess that's more to do with the paste drying out. I had that 1.6ghz stock chip cranked up to 2.4ghz on a Biostar motherboard hahahaa.

Philtor · 26 Feb 2013 at 00:19

It's worth getting some IPA as it's cheap enough to buy, will last you a long time and works a treat.