Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Original Message

Name: B2K24
Date: August 30, 2006 at 22:30:26 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink
OS: windowsxp pro
CPU/Ram: P4 2.8 GHZ northwood
Model/Manufacturer: intel

Comment:

My friend has an old P4 he bought at a retail store its about 3 or 4 years old.
I have a feeling the CPU + HS need cleaning because im sure the paste is dried up gunk by now. My question is what substance and type of rag or towel to use to clean it?
Does rubbing alcohol work or what do you guys recommend?

P4 2.8GHZ
ASUS P4v533-mx
1 GB pc2100 ram
Geforce fx 5200
sigh i need upgrades

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Response Number 1

Name: Mattwizz3 (by mattwizz3)
Date: August 31, 2006 at 01:44:08 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

There is no need to change the thermal paste if the computer isnt overheating. What makes you so sure its "Dried up gunk", If it aint broke dont fix it. its fine if you just want to clear the dust thats fine. I have recived P3's and celerons that were 5-7 years old and when removing the heatsink the thermal paste/pads are still perfectly fine.
Mattwizz3 : )
Sempron 2600+ @ 2.2GHz
1Gb DDR400
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe
200GB SATA
2X 80Gb IDE
256Mb MSI 6800 Ultra

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Response Number 2

Name: broncodeuce
Date: August 31, 2006 at 06:29:02 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

I remove mine and clean it off from time to time, usually rhe same time I clean out the dust from the heatsink..
that being said, rubbing alcohol on an old t-shirt works great
Gigabyte GA-K8NS
Athlon64 3000+ Venice E6
Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu LED
X800XL 256MB AGP
1GB Corsair PC3200 VS
120GB WD/160GB Maxtor
Aspire Chameleon 550W

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Response Number 3

Name: Keefy
Date: August 31, 2006 at 07:31:07 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

Last time i re thermalized my processor i used kitchen roll :( oops lol
Pentium4 3.40ghz HT PE @ 3.74ghz
1Gb Crucial XMS PC3200
1 X 80GB HDD STORAGE IDE
1X 200GB HDD STORAGE/ OS 3 partitions SATA133
WINFAST 6600GT
Gigabyte GA-8S661FXM
550w PSU

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Response Number 4

Name: SkipCox
Date: August 31, 2006 at 18:46:36 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

For cleaning, I use 99% rubbing alcohol. Available at most drug stores for a buck fifty us$.
The other 1% is glycerine...a pretty gooey lubricant. 70% rubbing alcohol has a lot of glycerine in the mix and I don't recommend it for any electronic cleaning.
Skip

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Response Number 5

Name: B2K24
Date: August 31, 2006 at 23:07:37 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

thanks for the tips guys

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Response Number 6

Name: Sabertooth
Date: September 1, 2006 at 07:27:24 Pacific
Subject: Cleaning CPU and heatsink

Reply: (edit)

If it is a retail CPU, it probably has a thermal pad and no need to remove it, unless it isn't acceptable to your buddy.

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