How to clean thermal paste off cpu

Now they can leave it alone to run in peace, yes? Well… yes, but also no.

If you're building a computer , you need thermal paste, or heat paste, to ensure that your computer's processor doesn't overheat. It's a gloopy, silvery material that you squirt between the processor and the cooler to fill in all the micro cavities in their surfaces, enabling a more efficient transfer of heat from the processor to the cooler. The best heatpastes work so well they let your processor run harder and faster, at lower temperatures, making your PC quieter in turn. You need to replace the thermal interface material every few years, too, so if you haven't opened up your PC in a while, it might be time to give it a spring clean. If your CPU and cooler are clean and ready to go, we can jump right in to applying new heat paste.

How to clean thermal paste off cpu

Hjem Diskusjoner Workshop Marked Kringkastninger. Installer Steam. So I wish to remove old thermal paste from the bottom of my fan and top of processor. Is that true? Is rubbing alcohol from the local pharmacy too impure? Second, what is the best method for applying thermal paste? Back when I created this rig, it was my first time messing with that sort of thing, and I don't think I did it the best way just kinda put small dabs and used something to gently smooth it over the top of the processor or whatever you want to call it. This probably wasn't best. In fact I'm sure it wasn't. It's been a few years Earlier this week I removed the fan to give it a good dusting from between the vents, and I noticed the paste is not evenely distributed anymore on either the processor or bottom of the fan. Has that "old" look to it.

Second, what is the best method for applying thermal paste?

Last Updated: January 8, Fact Checked. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed , times. Thermal paste is used to conduct heat from your computer's Central Processing Unit CPU to the heatsink, which prevents it from overheating. This paste can dry out over time, and it must be replaced periodically to maintain your computer's condition.

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. In the realm of computer hardware, thermal paste plays a pivotal role in maintaining the proper temperature of the Central Processing Unit CPU. Its primary function is to optimize heat transfer from the CPU to the cooler by filling in microscopic air gaps. However, this paste can degrade over time, resulting in less effective cooling. Thus knowing how to properly clean, remove and reapply thermal paste is a skill essential to the longevity and performance of your CPU. To clean the thermal paste off a CPU, unmount the cooler and gently wipe off the old paste using a soft cloth or a coffee filter soaked in high-percentage isopropyl alcohol. To apply the new paste, put a pea-sized amount on the center of the CPU's surface, then reattach the cooler, which will spread the paste evenly. Remember, the goal of applying thermal paste is to facilitate better heat conduction, and using the right amount is key. Yes, over time, the thermal paste can degrade, reducing its effectiveness.

How to clean thermal paste off cpu

So you've recently decided to peel back your CPU cooler and look at the thermally-conductive paste, or what's left of it, stuck beneath. You brave PC builder, you. And now you want it gone. Since you might be reading this with a phone in one hand and a messy CPU in the other, I'm going to cut to the chase: The easiest way to clean up old thermal paste is a paper towel.

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Once this step is complete, use a wet cloth to remove the old paste. Italiano: Pulire la Pasta Termica. It's been a few years Remember that not cleaning off your old thermal paste will influence the heat transfer efficiency between the CPU and the heatsink. VisciousFishes Vis profil Vis innlegg. Opprinnelig skrevet av Saint Jimmy :. Here are our favorite AIO water coolers for easy installation. Why lint-free? It's pretty unlikely you'll do any damage to your chip being even moderately careful about it, especially when it comes to CPUs with pads rather than pins, such as Intel's and AMD's upcoming Zen 4 chips. You need to run the system for hours before optimal cooling has reached maximum conductivity. Any paste in recesses can be cleaned using a cotton swab. Remove the heatsink as per your PC's manual. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.

Besides cleaning your rig , removing junk files, and defragmenting drives , you can fine tune your system by reapplying the thermal paste on the CPU. Over time, the thermal paste between your processor and the heatsink can dry out and lead to high temperatures in addition to causing stability issues when you attempt to overclock the CPU. So, we've compiled a guide detailing all the safety precautions and the steps you should take to clean the thermal paste from your CPU!

The best way is, of course, using the specially-designed thermal wipe. That lets them transfer heat from the CPU to the cooler efficiently, but without the chance of drying out or degrading, so performance should remain the same for years to come. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You have to have something to fill the gaps in between the cooler and the processor, and heat paste is the most common and effective solution. So you've recently decided to peel back your CPU cooler and look at the thermally-conductive paste, or what's left of it, stuck beneath. You can use isopropyl alchohol Use the thermal paste wipe to wipe the old thermal paste off the surface of the CPU. Has that "old" look to it. I hope this kind of helps, maybe somebody more knowledgable will be able to help better though. But even if it manages to do so, the long-term effect of GPU sag can be quite dramatic, leading to degradation and even failure. It should spread out evenly that way.