The first step to clean thermal paste from your CPU is to remove the old thermal paste. You can do this using a Q-tip or ArctiClean. Then, wipe the surface with alcohol. Ensure that you wipe the thermal paste off in slow and gentle movements.
ArctiClean removes old thermal paste
When you want to clean the thermal paste on your CPU, you can use a thermal paste remover like ArctiClean. You must use it in a proper way to get the thermal paste off of your CPU. If you do not follow the instructions, you might end up damaging your CPU.
There are two types of thermal paste: metal-based and non-conductive. Metal-based thermal pastes can get into places where they are not wanted and may prevent physical contact between the pins of your CPU socket. In addition, spilled thermal paste can damage nearby components on your motherboard. If the thermal paste is conductive, it can short circuit various components on your CPU, causing it to malfunction. In order to effectively clean your thermal paste, you should use a non-conductive one.
Micro-fibre cloths work great for cleaning the surface of your CPU. Paper towels can leave residue behind, so use a micro-fibre cloth to remove the old thermal paste. After cleaning, you can apply the new thermal paste. Remember to clean the edges of the CPU, as you don’t want to damage the pins or contact pads.
Thermal-based thermal paste is usually white, gray, or gray in color. In order to remove this paste, you must remove the old thermal paste from the working computer first.
Q-tip
Before attempting to clean the thermal paste off your CPU with a Q-tip, you need to determine whether you’re working with an Intel or AMD CPU. Both CPUs are similar except that AMD Ryzen has no pins on the top of the CPU and Intel’s does. If the thermal paste is on the AMD CPU, you should not attempt to clean it with a Q-tip because it may become stuck with chunks of thermal paste. If it is on the Intel CPU, it is usually a lot easier to remove.
A fingernail polish remover or lint-free cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol can be used to remove thermal paste. However, be sure to use a pure acetone without any additives or fragrances. Another option is to use an alcohol prep pad or isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol will help loosen the thermal paste without scratching it. You can then use canned air to blow away the fibers and moisture.
Before you proceed with this method, make sure to dry the area where the thermal paste has been removed. You may need to use a q-tip to mop up any excess liquid. Once the area is clean, put the CPU back on the motherboard socket. Once the thermal paste is removed, test the processor by powering on the PC and turning on the cooler. If it boots up smoothly, you’ve successfully cleaned the thermal paste off your CPU.
ArctiClean purifies the surface
ArctiClean is a two-step thermal material cleaner that removes existing thermal grease and prepares the surface for a new thermal interface material. It is the first retail product from Arctic Silver and Nanotherm. Its main advantage is that it is effective in a short time and is inexpensive.
The ArctiClean thermal compound remover is made of proprietary citrus-based solvents that emulsify and dissolve thermal pads. It also inhibits flash corrosion of copper. Unlike traditional solvents, ArctiClean is a safe thermal interface material cleaner that is safe for use on sensitive electronic devices, such as CPUs.
Before using the ArctiClean, you must first make sure that the thermal paste is removed. This is done by using a microfibre cloth. The surface of the heat spreader must be free from dust or grease. Be careful not to touch the pins or contact pads.
To begin the thermal paste removal process, you should remove the thermal paste from your CPU. It is usually white or gray in color. After removing the thermal paste, apply the ArctiClean Thermal Surface Purifier. It should dissolve the paste in 30 seconds. If the paste is still too hard, you can use a plastic spudger to pry it out.
Reapplying thermal paste
Before reapplying thermal paste to your CPU, be sure to clean it thoroughly. You should use isopropyl alcohol or a paper towel to remove any residue. Next, you should clean the pins on your CPU of thermal paste. The pins are expensive, so you should take extra care when cleaning them.
Then, place a small amount of thermal paste on the CPU, roughly the size of a pea. You can then use a plastic sheet to spread the paste evenly. Once you have completed this step, you can put the heatsink back on the CPU.
You can repeat this process until you have achieved the right results. The process of removing the old thermal paste is different for each case. For new CPUs, you do not need to remove the thermal paste from the CPU. The thermal paste is usually white, gray, or a mixture of both colors.
If you aren’t comfortable doing this procedure, you can also use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the thermal paste around the CPU. However, be careful because alcohol can cause damage to the motherboard. You can also clean the thermal paste from the base of your heatsink.
Next, you need to clean the heatsink of your CPU. Before you can do this, you should unplug your computer and open it. While it may seem tedious, the process is simple and straightforward. To remove the heatsink, you need to open your PC case. After opening the case, you should lay down the CPU and the heatsink. Now, you should wipe the heatsink of your CPU clean as well.
Reapplying thermal paste every time you change your CPU
Thermal paste is a must-have computer accessory. Without it, you run the risk of parts overheating and failure. While thermal paste is not an ideal solution for every overheating problem, it’s an easy one. This is because thermal paste helps to fill air gaps between CPU and heatsink, preventing your CPU and GPU from overheating.
The temperature of your CPU will determine when you need to change thermal paste. It is recommended that you change thermal paste at least once every three years, or whenever the CPU reaches a high temperature. Before you replace thermal paste, clean your CPU with a microfiber cloth, rubbing off the old paste.
Thermal paste is easy to apply and remove. It’s important that you apply it to the center of the CPU and heatsink. To do this, you’ll need a KLEAN-01 paste removal kit, or you can use an alcohol and cotton swab. Afterwards, clean the CPU and heatsink with alcohol and let them dry completely. You can then reapply thermal paste with a pea-sized amount.
When reapplying thermal paste, make sure you apply it evenly. The better the paste is applied, the less chance you’ll run into problems with overheating. If you’re unsure how much thermal paste you need, you can always refer to the motherboard’s manual.