Several Questions

Gun

Member
Hey Guys.

So my warranty claim has been accepted so I'm getting a new PSU and Mobo in the next couple of days. I have to remove everything from the Mobo before I give it back. I removed the CPU Fan and the CPU. Is it okay that they've already sort have been connected and now I've taken them apart. Will I need to apply thermal paste? (I'm using stock cooler). There is a big grey circle on the top of the CPU along with some grey on the bronze circle of the fan. Will I need to apply more or is that still okay.

Also, I'm wondering where the cords coming from my case will go into my Motherboard. I have the following labbled cords coming from my case: HD AUDIO, POWER SW, USB, AC'97 and an unlabbled 3 pin cord which looks to be coming from my Case Fan. My Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H and my case is a Cooler Master Elite 430 (shit case).

Thanks :)
 
Hey Guys.

So my warranty claim has been accepted so I'm getting a new PSU and Mobo in the next couple of days. I have to remove everything from the Mobo before I give it back. I removed the CPU Fan and the CPU. Is it okay that they've already sort have been connected and now I've taken them apart. Will I need to apply thermal paste? (I'm using stock cooler). There is a big grey circle on the top of the CPU along with some grey on the bronze circle of the fan. Will I need to apply more or is that still okay.

Also, I'm wondering where the cords coming from my case will go into my Motherboard. I have the following labbled cords coming from my case: HD AUDIO, POWER SW, USB, AC'97 and an unlabbled 3 pin cord which looks to be coming from my Case Fan. My Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H and my case is a Cooler Master Elite 430 (shit case).

Thanks :)

You may want to add a bit of thermal paste, just A tiny bit tho, because you only want it to cover most of the cooler, and cpu. About your cables, i have to see a picture of you current setup first.
 
You will need to remove the existing thermal paste and apply new paste.

The cable connections are self explanatory basically. So I assume, the replacement motherboard isn't the same motherboard as you have now? The motherboard manual will tell you where those cables go. The 3 pin cable for the case fan will attach to a 3 pin header on the motherboard, usually labeled chassis fan or pwr fan.
 
You will need to remove the existing thermal paste and apply new paste.

The cable connections are self explanatory basically. So I assume, the replacement motherboard isn't the same motherboard as you have now? The motherboard manual will tell you where those cables go. The 3 pin cable for the case fan will attach to a 3 pin header on the motherboard, usually labeled chassis fan or pwr fan.

Not sure who to follow here :P

If I were to follow you, how do I remove thermal paste?

Also the replacement motherboard is still a gigabyte ga-z77-d3h.

WHAT the hell is AC97!?!
 
AC97 is basically old audio, use HD audio now, don't bother with AC97.

I'd follow John. You need to remove the thermal paste. Use rubbing alcohol.
 
Coffee filters make good wipers too. You can wrap it around a finger, moisten it with the alcohol, and wipe the old paste off. It will take about 3 times to get it clean. Don't let the alcohol rub on the silicon part of the chip(edges). After that I just wipe it with a clean dry one to remove any film that migh be there. When I'm ready for the paste I "tint" the top of the cpu by putting a tiny amount of paste on it using a filter, and rub over the entire surface then use a clean one to wipe off all the excess paste. The slight color change or "tint" is because micropscopic imperfections have been filled in. Then a small grain of rice size paste and let the pressure from mounting the cooler spread it.

If it's the same board you'll see where the cables go when you remove them, or look in the manual, and/or take pics before you remove.
 
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So I should basically get some like screen-wipe type things, rub the thermal paste off with that. Then apply a rice grain size of paste in the centre of the CPU and when I mount the CPU fan that should spread it evenly. Do I need to bother with tinting?
 
Steps as followed;

1: Take old paste off (cloth will do fine).

2: Clean CPU with Rubbing Alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol will work, 99% is better) NON acetone.

3: Apply a rice size amount in the middle of CPU.

4: Screw in Chris-crossing motion.

5: Enjoy!
 
I just found this skin cleansing swab, will it be good to clean off the thermal paste? It says Gamma Sterilised Skin Cleansing Swab - Contains 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. That should be fine? Do I clean the bottom of the CPU Fan as well as the CPU itself?
 
Yes, you clean both. It should be ok, but it might leave some residue though. You dont have any rubbing alcohol 70% or above?
 
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