Solved: HeatSink Compound

[eddie5659]

Hiya

So close to getting this blasted pc working again

So, I ordered a heatsink cleaner, and some compound. Now, they are both from Dabs.com, and this is the cleaner:

TIM-clean - CPU & Heatsink Cleaner

removes thermal pads and silver based thermal grease - citrus based solvent, containing petroleum distillates

Great you all say, then I get the compund itself:

Antec - Silver Thermal Compund

Never use any oil or petroleum-based cleaners (WD-40, citrus based grease removers, etc ) to clean the surface.

So, I'm confused. If they're both from Dabs, and they're soley the only ones they really have, can I use the cleaner?

If not, I'll have to find some nail polish remover, and I'm not asking for that stuff at the counter, whilst I have a basket full of shaving foam and razors

eddie

 

[Foamer]

Don't use petroleum based cleaners?
Nail polish remover IS a petroleum distillate... As are most solvents.
If leaves no residue... is not sprayed on with a squirt gun... or it doesn't have a tendency to attack the material of the CPU it's origins are irrelevant.

"Never use any oil or petroleum-based cleaners (WD-40, citrus based grease removers, etc ) to clean the surface."
I'm positive this is put out by Antec as an idiot proof disclaimer so some slack jaw doesn't try to use 3 in One oil, "WD-40" or gasoline to clean the surfaces.
But I'm sure the CPU & Heatsink Cleaner will be fine.


I'd use it. I'm positive that it won't hurt. And if it seems to leave some sort of residue... A quick alcohol clean would take care of that.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Hi,

My rule of thumb....If in doubt, don't use it. I would simply use alcohol to clean the old one off and that is what I use to clean mine all the time as do most who build computers.

Remember, when you put the thermal paste on, put it on very thin and very smooth....like a credit card is great to spread it on. DON'T use your fingers to spread it because there is just enough contamination from the oil in your skin to cause problems. Good luck.

 

[eddie5659]

Great, thanks for the replies

I may use it, and thanks for the tip about the credit card. I have an old one I can use, before I snip it up

Just waiting for a quick question about my onboard, so may ask here in case you know

I have onboard drivers on this hardDrive, but when i replace the MB it'll have the new AGP card installed from the start. So, should I remove the drivers for the current onboard, then install the new card and boot up. Or, should I just change boards, and install the card then remove the old drivers after rebooting?

Thanks

eddie

 

[dai]

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

 

[Skivvywaver]

Eddie, remove the drivers before you change the mobo. Be perpared to reactivate windows if it is XP. Sometimes you get lucky most times not. If the machine doesn't have XP then it will be much easier.
Also, I have found it easier to put a piece of saran wrap over the end of my finger and spread AS5 like that. Good luck.

 

[Skivvywaver]

I should have been more clear, you don't need to install the drivers before the switch. You should however remove the onboard drivers first. The new bios is going to pick up the new card.

 

[eddie5659]

Thanks Dai

So, for the CPU ceramic I can use the citrus cleaner. Also, I see nail polish removal is a no-no on the CPU Core.

Now, as I'm still not fully okay with hardware, is the heatsink where you're not to use the above cleaner, the bottom of that silver thing on top of the cpu?

eddie

 

[eddie5659]

Skivvywaver

Thanks for the advice for the drivers

This came with XP already installed (HP pc), so hopefully I won't need to do anything.

In the Addremove, I have these:

Intel (R) Extreme Graphics Driver Software
ProSavageDDR and Utilities
S3Display
S3Gamma2
S3Info2
S3Overlay


my onboard was ProSavage

Thanks

eddie

 

[eddie5659]

Ah, just looked on the link that Dai gave, and mine is Arctic Silver 5:

Carefully apply the thermal compound directly to the core of the CPU.

On an AMD Duron or T-bird, it is the small raised rectangle in the center of the AMD processor.

Only a very small amount of Arctic Silver is needed on small CPU cores like Intel P3s and AMDs. Transfer about 1/2 the size of an uncooked grain of short-grain white rice or 1/4 of a BB for small core CPUs.




So, I don't need to apply any to anywhere else, just the square. I have Athlon XP

 

[4steve44]

eddie, The AC5 is the best thermal paste and IMHO Goof Off is the greatest cleaner out there and it's really cheap. Hope this helps

 

[eddie5659]

Thanks 4steve44

Is Goof Off like the citrus based cleaner that I have? Would really like to make a start on this pc, its been 6 weeks

 

[4steve44]

Thanks 4steve44

Is Goof Off like the citrus based cleaner that I have? Would really like to make a start on this pc, its been 6 weeks

No it is not citrus based. http://www.valspar.com/val/resident/goof-off.jsp

 

[eddie5659]

Thanks for the link, 4steve44

As soon as I take the CPU apart, then i'll have to start the change of the MB, so just bumping this up.

According to the instructions, I just apply it to the core of the cpu. So, I'll have to remove the old from the core. I can 'borrow' some acetone and IPS from work, but mine will be pure stuff. I take it this is okay to use.

As to the Heatsink, IPS is also listed, so will use that.

If there is any on the Ceramic, then I can use my citrus based cleaner.

I take it that I can't just scrape away the old, and put the new on without the use of cleaners.

Thanks

eddie

 

[Biddlesby]

I just used Isopropyl. The artic instructions that someone linked earlier are very good, just follow them. To the letter if you are worried particularly.