Use the link below, I did. Buy this and use coffee filters to remove the paste. Don't use anything else since cotton, paper towels etc will leave lint. https://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-Thermal-Compound-Remover-Purifier/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=thermal+paste+remover&qid=1559302378&s=gateway&sprefix=thermal+paste&sr=8-5
Best of luck.
For future reference my friend told me about this product which rocks! It’ll clean all of those excess thermal paste around the chip.
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PCKZ575N4JFZD2AST14X
A decent thermal paste emulsifier (not just any emulsifier, there are thermal paste ones intended specifically for this case), applied very carefully at the point of adhesion to gradually work loose the thermal paste from the edges, might do the trick here. I'd make sure to apply to the sides with the CPU facing up like in this photo so it doesn't run into the electronics.
Holy crap! Nooooo
OP please get CPU remover and cleaner. Use lint free cloths to remove the old thermal paste and to clean up with afterwards.
Order from Amazon: ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_ZJTCGCDE760BZDJ5DAVQ
Even smells like Oranges 😉
If you really want to get that off, arctic clean kit works really well. I've used it for years at it has worked on just about everything paste wise. https://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-Thermal-Compound-Remover-Purifier/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2IA2M5B1G37F7&dchild=1&keywords=thermal+paste+remover&qid=1635782104&qsid=135-3991521-2198959&sprefix=thermal+paste&sr=8-...
I've been using Arcticlean for almost 20 years of PC maintenance.
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_83CSB2KFZX0CVT73SDGB
It removes thermal paste easily.
I personally use ArctiClean from Arctic silver to remove the old gunk. Add and let it sit for 5 mins but it takes a couple of times. It works a lot better than IPA at removing & cleaning.
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0JN9FT010BF9X6FSDSK8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Just get yourself some of this. I’m still using the bottles I bought in 2005 lol
3 pin fans are simply on or off, 4 pins can regulate speed. Never seen any modern CPU coolers with 3 pin fans though.
If the CPU gets too hot, it will thermal throttle. The clock speed, and thus the performance, will go down to save the CPU from killing itself.
Fans are pretty universal, so you should be able to change it pretty easily. Just be sure to get the same size.
I plan to change my old thernal paste tomorrow, so I can answer it then. From what I've read/seen online, it should be pretty easy. You can get some very cheap cleaning kits like this one.
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Dxb2Fb1M9XCWQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I got myself some of this like 12 years ago and there’s still some left
I use Arcticlean and a lint free cloth. If you’re having trouble finding isopropyl alcohol, Arcticlean removal/purifier kit is in stock on Amazon right now.
if you are not overclocking then i dont think an after market cooler is necessary, i would def first try removing the thermal paste and re-applying. Maybe you put too much or too little - and make sure the heatsink is attached properly.
here is what you can use to remove the paste and re-apply
I always keep this stuff in the house.
I use 2 microfiber cloths. One is a bit fatter, typically used for drying cars but has no protruding fibers or static. I use that one for the citrus based cleaner in the kit, which dissolves the TIM
The second I use the same type of microfiber cloth I use on my Reidel Stemware and scotch glasses. Very thin light microfiber cloth, like you use on sunglasses/electronics cleaning. The second solution is the "polish" which is really just alcohol.
IF you do it properly, the first solution just sits for 30 seconds or so, then almsot ALL the TIM will wipe up in one swipe. Then you use the other for just the spot cleanup.
Works like a charm.
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Compound Remover and Purifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYQ9TM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_JGZ55PDRM51XN6WTGG83
That's all you need to clean it with ease. Really only need the first bottle.
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Co… | - | - | 4.8/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
ArctiClean 60ml Kit 1 & 2 Thermal Grease Paste Co… | - | - | 4.8/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
As u/Terrapins1990 said, I would start with rubbing alcohol.
If that doesn't work - you can step up to acetone, mineral spirits, or ArctiClean which is made just for this:
I may be a bit late, but you can always use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-Thermal-Compound-Remover-Purifier/dp/B001JYQ9TM/
I've had better luck with that than with rubbing alcohol. The first bottle is an emulsifier and makes wiping up old thermal paste a breeze.
I bought some of this years ago https://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-Thermal-Compound-Remover-Purifier/dp/B001JYQ9TM works like a charm with a coffee filter to wipe.
It'll require removing the heatsink, cleaning the old paste off (this cleaner worked well for me), and applying some new paste before re-attaching the heatsink. Been a while since I've used it, but this brand is what I worked with.
This is a good video if you want an idea of what things should look like.
"Eek" means thats a bad spread on the thermal compound. The idea is to have a thin layer coating the entire surface of the CPU to ensure good heat transfer between that and the heat sink.
Buy some decent thermal paste (anecdotally, I've found Artic Silver 5 to have a good price to performance ratio, Tom's Hardware did some great testing if you want to research/spend a bit more), clean the CPU and heatsink with a lint-free cloth and some 99% isopropyl alcohol (or a specifically designed cleaning solution), and apply fresh thermal paste using the "cross" method (a thin "X" across the surface of the CPU) to ensure a even spread.