You don’t need to be a professional electronic engineer to change Personal computer (PC) central processing unit (CPU) or renew thermal paste. Each of us wants to save time and a few bucks, so sometimes we do the repair work by ourselves.
Even the best can sometimes have an unforeseen problem. Therefore, if thermal paste gets on the CPU pins, it can be easily cleaned. Most importantly is to have steady hands and some cleaners.
Let me walk you through the simple steps of removing thermal paste from the CPU.
Table Contents
Warning
Please be aware that this is entirely at your own risk. We take no responsibility if anything happens to your CPU during the removal of the CPU thermal paste. We have succeeded, but it could happen otherwise.
How to Remove Thermal Paste from CPU Pins
Isopropyl Alcohol (common ingredient in chemicals such as antiseptics, disinfectants, and detergents), toothpicks and toothbrushes are the main tools to remove unnecessary thermal paste from the CPU pins. Be extremely careful not to bend the CPU pins during the following steps.
- Start with a toothpick by carefully removing as much thermal paste as possible.
- Soak a toothbrush in Alcohol and gently brush it in the area where the thermal paste is. Do this only in the area where the thermal paste spread through the mistake.
Next time you try to remove the CPU from its socket, make sure to use gloves and clean the top of your CPU, this way you will avoid a similar situation in future.
Equivalents of Isopropyl Alcohol
CRC QD Electronics Cleaner or another cleaner for cleaning electronic parts (chips, etc.) is perfect. Such chemicals evaporate quickly in the air, but you should still wait a few minutes before installing the CPU in the socket.
Do not use WD-40 or any other similar spray intended to lubricate the equipment, as they may leave a layer of grease on the CPU pins.
Thermal Paste on CPU
How did it get here? Thermal paste on the CPU usually occurs when the CPU is replaced with a new one or when an old thermal paste is cleaned and a new one is applied. Modern thermal paste is non-conductive, so it will be no shortening of electricity, but due to the thick layer of thermal paste on the CPU pins, the processor may just not work.
Intel and AMD CPU
If the thermal paste got on the Intel processor, then it will not be difficult to remove it. AMD processors have long pins that fit into the motherboard’s CPU socket, so it can be a little more difficult. The removal of excess thermal paste also depends on the amount of thermal paste.
AMD CPU
Have long pins on CPU, and on motherboard CPU socket, there are holes for those pins. Of thermal pasta goes in to little holes, then it can be difficult to clean it.
INTEL CPU
An Intel CPU doesn’t have pins on the CPU surface, but it has pins on the motherboard socket. Once the thermal paste is on the motherboard socket, the same tips can be used when removing the thermal paste from the AMD processor. But be extremely careful, because pins on motherboard are very fragile and bends very easily.
Practical advice
Don’t use Q tips, because they leave remnants of the material, which can later cause serious inconvenience.
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- Best CPU Coolers for i7 9700k 2021 – 11+ Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
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If you have more questions feel free to ask them in the comments section. We hope that this article was helpful to you.