How To Clean Off Cpu Thermal Paste

If yous're building a computer, you demand thermal paste to ensure that your reckoner'southward primal processing unit of measurement (CPU) doesn't overheat. The paste is a conductive material that'southward applied to your CPU to ensure shut-as-possible contact between the hot CPU and the cooler. Existing computers too may need new thermal paste applied as information technology tends to dry out over years of use. Whether you're installing thermal paste on a new build or an older machine that will first require cleaning off the previous paste, we'll show you how to use thermal paste properly.

Want the total rundown for installing your CPU? Check out our guide on how to install an Intel processor.

What is thermal paste?

Thermal paste is a thermally conductive chemical compound that helps to transfer rut; it eliminates air gaps that would generally be present between two surfaces to facilitate a better transfer. In computer building, we place a flake of thermal paste betwixt the CPU and the CPU cooler to ensure that heat is removed from the processor every bit effectively as possible. Without the add-on of thermal paste, your CPU would overheat and could exist damaged. If you oasis't already purchased thermal paste for your machine, be certain to cheque out our guide on the best thermal pastes.

How to clean off thermal paste

If you already accept a working machine that needs thermal paste to exist reapplied, you'll start demand to clean off the erstwhile thermal paste. Before beginning, ensure that the CPU cooler has been removed, and you lot can visually see the thermal paste; it is by and large white or greyness. If you are installing thermal paste on a new car and don't need to remove old paste first, skip to the next department — otherwise, go along below for more instructions.

What y'all volition need:

• A microfiber cloth (non paper towls, as they tin can scratch the surface)
• Rubbing alcohol (at least 90%)
• Cotton swabs
• A plastic spudger (optional)

Step one: Brainstorm by wiping the top of your CPU with the microfiber cloth to remove equally much thermal paste as you tin without consequence.

Step two: Dip the end of a cotton fiber swab into the rubbing booze, then employ it to wipe the superlative of your CPU gently; this volition assist to intermission up any hardened thermal paste. Optionally, use a plastic spudger to assistance remove whatever stubborn paste.

Step three: Over again, use a clean portion of the microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining thermal paste; the alcohol will evaporate almost immediately on its own.

Footstep 4: Repeat the above process to remove any old thermal paste that may be stuck to the underside of your CPU cooler.

How to apply thermal paste

Once y'all take both a clean CPU and CPU cooler (or you just took them brand-new out of the box), we can brainstorm applying thermal paste. The fundamental to applying thermal paste is not to overdo it; you just need to use a tiny pea-sized chip of paste — annihilation more would exist excessive. Double-cheque to ensure you lot accept all the required equipment below, then begin the process.

What you'll demand:

• A clean CPU installed in your motherboard socket
• A make clean CPU cooler ready to install
• CPU thermal paste
• A microfiber cloth (or paper towel)

Pace 1: With your CPU already installed into your motherboard, place a small pea-sized drop of thermal paste on the CPU'south centre.

Step 2: Next, install the CPU cooler while applying top-down pressure level to the unit. Note that in that location is no need to first spread the paste before installing the cooler; the cooler'south pressure level will evenly distribute the thermal paste.

Pace iii: One time the libation is installed, cheque the CPU's edges to see if any excess thermal paste has spilled over, and, if needed, wipe information technology away with a microfiber textile or paper towel.

Does thermal paste need to exist reapplied regularly?

After finishing this process, 1 question that you might have is how often, if always, does the CPU thermal paste demand to exist replaced? Ane of the largest chip manufacturers in the world, Intel, recommends reapplying the solution "every few years" or if you "remove your cooler for whatever reason." Typically, your thermal paste will final you lot quite a while, just keep an heart on your temperatures, as if they spike, it could be a sign your thermal paste is drying upwardly.

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