• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Upgrading my CPU, do I need thermal paste removal?

Associate
Joined
11 Sep 2008
Posts
670
Location
Northern Ireland
Hey all, I am going to be doing my first ever upgrade to my computer this weekend where I will hopefully stick in a new motherboard and cpu.

I am going to reuse my cooler master z600, so will I need thermal paste remover to do the upgrade?

Thanks in advance
 
It's highly recommended you clean the surface using appropriate alcohol solution/wipes as left over residue from your previous seal would most likely affect your new application of compound.
 
I have always used surgical spirit and a lint free cloth :p ... Pick a bottle of it up for a couple quid from boots and it works a treat. My view is, if it's clean enough to put in fresh wounds, it's clean enough for the top of my CPU :D
 
doesn't tend to make much difference in my experience. A good scrub with a lint free cloth cleans the surface up to a good enough standard

I've been using the "Neet - microfirbe screen cloth" which i cut up into smaller pieces and it lasts and lasts
 
i use kitchen towel like 6 sheets of it. Works good every time :) 2 times i used some 90% alcohol no difference in temperatures what so ever. I found better use for it - > Drinking lol
Used to buy that stuff in Poland from Russian chaps. Apparently it was used in aircraft's as wiper fluid and it was not contaminated like most of commercial use alcohol.
Mix it 50/50 with tap water and good to drink :D
Good High school times :D
 
i use kitchen towel like 6 sheets of it. Works good every time :) 2 times i used some 90% alcohol no difference in temperatures what so ever. I found better use for it - > Drinking lol
Used to buy that stuff in Poland from Russian chaps. Apparently it was used in aircraft's as wiper fluid and it was not contaminated like most of commercial use alcohol.
Mix it 50/50 with tap water and good to drink :D
Good High school times :D

pretty sure thats still quite dangerous for your health! ahah. I use 99.99% surgical spirits + some cotton wool. (it's tricky to make it so no lint gets left on anything but once you get it it's a piece of cake really)
 
Nail varnish remover and kitchen towel is a cheap way to clean up the CPU before fitting the cooler. Does require living with a female of some kind though... Unless your a guy who's into wearing nail varnish... :p
 
Get a bottle of isopropanol and a bit of kitchen towel, it's a couple of quid and just ensures decent heat conductivity with no chunks of crap in there.
 
Unless you work in a sterile environment though hand sanitiser is a waste of time, a bit of dirt is good for you, gives you a strong immune system.
 
Back
Top Bottom