Advice please...I'm panicking right now (removing thermal paste)

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 04:22 AM

Ok, tonight started off fine, if not tiresome, with a lot of cable management. Then came the motherboard. The CPU went in easily, then I spent about 2 hours (!) trying to get the Freezer 7 Pro in. Nope, it's terrible. The pins just won't snap, and the few that do will unsnap when you manage to get the other side close to snapped.

So here I am removing the HSF and having to wipe away the thermal paste off the CPU. This is definitely something I didn't want to have to do, because I feel like I'm ruining everything now. I was pushing hard on the motherboard, maybe even touching it too much, and now I'm trying to get all this goop off the processor.

So aside from feeling hugely discouraged, I'd like to know exactly how thorough you need to be when you clean off the paste. I got pretty much all of it, but there are thin lines of it in the "creases" of the CPU (between the flat part and that little area that's raised up). I tried using a toothpick inside of a paper towel, but that didn't seem to reach fully into the corners. Is it enough to just get it off the top? And is using a paper towel enough?

I guess I'll just install the stock cooler and see how that goes. I'm really disappointed though.

Vizy93 · 03-13-2008, 04:28 AM

use some isoprpyl alcahol, it might work, pour a drop or two, and let it sit for 5 mion then wipe it clean. if u can tho use this, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm, they can be picked up at fry's for around $5. it worrrks a charm

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vizy93

use some isoprpyl alcahol, it might work, pour a drop or two, and let it sit for 5 mion then wipe it clean. if u can tho use this, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm, they can be picked up at fry's for around $5. it worrrks a charm

Is it not good enough to just wipe it clean? I was hoping to finish up tomorrow.

**mep916** · 03-13-2008, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vizy93

use some isoprpyl alcahol, it might work, pour a drop or two, and let it sit for 5 mion then wipe it clean. if u can tho use this, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm, they can be picked up at fry's for around $5. it worrrks a charm

That's not how you remove thermal paste. You do use alcohol, but the alcohol should be applied to a paper towel. You carefully hold the sides of the CPU with your index finger and thumb and wipe the paste off the processor with the paper towel, or alcohol pad.

John, don't worry about cleaning the creases you're describing. Do the best that you can in that area, but as long as the top of the CPU is clean, you should be all good.

royalmarine · 03-13-2008, 05:53 AM

john think of it this way, as soon as you remove the thermal paste from the creaves, your gonna want to put more on when you try again to put the hsf on.
thermal paste will then again get into the areas. dont worry about it.

honestly, give it a wipe. if you cant get it all, DONT WORRY!

main advise is just be careful with the motherboard and hsf. take your time and relax. last thing you want it a dent in the wall, a broken hsf and a sore fist...
believe me! ive been there so many times and regretted it in the end.

if the pins wont click into place, go back and read the instructions for mounting it again. and again and again.
follow it word for word. if its too awkward, take the motherboard out, put it on something flat like a hard cardboard box or a lenght of glass or kitchen table and try it there.
nothing is worse than reaching into a small computer case and killing yourself for nothing.

let us know how you get on.

michaelmcgo · 03-13-2008, 11:48 AM

When you push the pins in, make sure you twist them while they are down, this will engage the locks. You do have to put some force into it.

You are expected to push hard, this is how the fan pins were designed, so the mobo should have been designed to take it.

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royalmarine

if its too awkward, take the motherboard out, put it on something flat like a hard cardboard box or a lenght of glass or kitchen table and try it there.
nothing is worse than reaching into a small computer case and killing yourself for nothing.

let us know how you get on.

This is a new build, so fortunately the motherboard is already out. I have it on top of the antistatic bag, which is on top of the piece of foam it came shipped on.

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelmcgo

When you push the pins in, make sure you twist them while they are down, this will engage the locks. You do have to put some force into it.

You are expected to push hard, this is how the fan pins were designed, so the mobo should have been designed to take it.

I did try twisting them, but that didn't seem to work either. I kind of think that something is wrong with the HSF, but maybe not. I guess when I get home this evening I can try it again before I put it on the motherboard, and see if everything locks easily. There are a few pins that simply won't press down at all. I don't know if they need to be turned a certain way first (which I've tried) or if maybe they aren't lined up straight with the mounting hole or something (sort of like trying to get a screw into a hole when it's not straight).

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 12:11 PM

One more thing...if I do decide to try the Freezer 7 Pro again, I'll have to apply my own thermal paste (which luckily I ordered, just in case!). How much do I need? And should I spread it around the CPU top, or just leave it in the center?

JohnJSal · 03-13-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mep916

That's not how you remove thermal paste. You do use alcohol, but the alcohol should be applied to a paper towel. You carefully hold the sides of the CPU with your index finger and thumb and wipe the paste off the processor with the paper towel, or alcohol pad.

John, don't worry about cleaning the creases you're describing. Do the best that you can in that area, but as long as the top of the CPU is clean, you should be all good.

Is it safe to use alcohol on the copper base of the HS to remove the paste from there as well?

03-13-2008, 04:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 527	Advice please...I'm panicking right now (removing thermal paste) Ok, tonight started off fine, if not tiresome, with a lot of cable management. Then came the motherboard. The CPU went in easily, then I spent about 2 hours (!) trying to get the Freezer 7 Pro in. Nope, it's terrible. The pins just won't snap, and the few that do will unsnap when you manage to get the other side close to snapped. So here I am removing the HSF and having to wipe away the thermal paste off the CPU. This is definitely something I didn't want to have to do, because I feel like I'm ruining everything now. I was pushing hard on the motherboard, maybe even touching it too much, and now I'm trying to get all this goop off the processor. So aside from feeling hugely discouraged, I'd like to know exactly how thorough you need to be when you clean off the paste. I got pretty much all of it, but there are thin lines of it in the "creases" of the CPU (between the flat part and that little area that's raised up). I tried using a toothpick inside of a paper towel, but that didn't seem to reach fully into the corners. Is it enough to just get it off the top? And is using a paper towel enough? I guess I'll just install the stock cooler and see how that goes. I'm really disappointed though.

03-13-2008, 04:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vizy93 Diamond Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Angels Age: 15 Posts: 2,666	use some isoprpyl alcahol, it might work, pour a drop or two, and let it sit for 5 mion then wipe it clean. if u can tho use this, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm, they can be picked up at fry's for around $5. it worrrks a charm __________________ http://www.computerforum.com/6663-funniest-joke-world.html "75% of all statistics are made up, including this one. 62.481% of people who read that believe it is true. And if you're one of the 37.519% who don't, copy and paste this into your signature." - tlarkin, Cromewell, and Rambo.

03-13-2008, 11:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
michaelmcgo Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 92	When you push the pins in, make sure you twist them while they are down, this will engage the locks. You do have to put some force into it. You are expected to push hard, this is how the fan pins were designed, so the mobo should have been designed to take it. __________________ My current computer: CPU: Intel E2180 @3.0 Ghz 24/7 cooled with Freezer 7 Pro GPU: MSI 8800GT 512MB OCed to 700 core/ 1750 Shaders / 2000 Mem MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L v2.0 RAM: 2GB G.Skill DDR2 800 running at 1066Mhz (5,5,5,12) Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7,200rpm Monitor: 22" widescreen Envision LCD Speakers: Logitech 2.1 w/ 8" sub OS: Vista Premium 32 Bit

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03-13-2008, 05:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
royalmarine Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 374	john think of it this way, as soon as you remove the thermal paste from the creaves, your gonna want to put more on when you try again to put the hsf on. thermal paste will then again get into the areas. dont worry about it. honestly, give it a wipe. if you cant get it all, DONT WORRY! main advise is just be careful with the motherboard and hsf. take your time and relax. last thing you want it a dent in the wall, a broken hsf and a sore fist... believe me! ive been there so many times and regretted it in the end. if the pins wont click into place, go back and read the instructions for mounting it again. and again and again. follow it word for word. if its too awkward, take the motherboard out, put it on something flat like a hard cardboard box or a lenght of glass or kitchen table and try it there. nothing is worse than reaching into a small computer case and killing yourself for nothing. let us know how you get on.

03-13-2008, 12:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 527	One more thing...if I do decide to try the Freezer 7 Pro again, I'll have to apply my own thermal paste (which luckily I ordered, just in case!). How much do I need? And should I spread it around the CPU top, or just leave it in the center?