heatsink - What's the proper way to remove thermal paste from a CPU?

07
2014-04
  • Marcos Lara

    I'm replacing the heatsink on my CPU, and want to clear the current thermal paste.

    What should I do?

    • Answers
  • Áxel Costas Pena

    Use rubbing alchohol. It cuts the grease and dries quickly/safely for electronics.

    The preferred way to remove typical silicone oil-based thermal grease from a component or heat sink is by using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). If none is available, pure acetone is also a valid method of removal.

    From Wikipedia

    Also the suggestion to use a credit card/business card to scrape off the paste first is a good idea.

  • kbyrd

    I have always scraped it off with a credit card, then used alcohol applied with paper towels and a q-tip to clean the residue.

    EDIT: Wikipedia seems to agree.


    • Related Question

    cpu - Can I remove and put back the heatsink of my processor without reapplying thermal paste
  • Zero

    If I remove the heatsink from my processor temporarily, then later put it back without changing the heatsink or CPU, do I need to reapply thermal paste?


    • Related Answers
  • Shoeless

    The thermal paste is there to provide good heat conductivity between the CPU and the heatsink. If you separate the two, it is best for you to reapply some thermal paste (VERY thin layer) in order to maintain good thermal contact between the two.

    I usually prefer to clean both the heat sink and the CPU with a q-tip and some alcohol before reapplying thermal paste... and I have never experienced any problems doing so but I can't really recommend doing so in case either your heat sink or CPU does not like alcohol :)

  • menns

    Can you? Yes

    Should you? Probably not. Do you really want to risk it? A tube of thermal paste costs 15$ at a computer repair shop and is good for several applications.

  • Darok

    I basically fried my CPU back in Dec 08 and needed to buy a new one due to the fact that, I didn't replace the thermal compound. It was something that I greatly regret and whenever someone now says, "no thermal compound is needed", I would laugh at them and their fried CPU if they actually did replace the heat sink without the thermal compound. It just isn't worth taking the risk! I did and where did it get me?