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

JohnJSal

JohnJSal

Active Member
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 said:
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
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
royalmarine said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
michaelmcgo said:
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.
Click to expand...

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).
 
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?
 
mep916 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

http://www.computerforum.com/111094...r-temps-after-thermal-paste-3.html#post894889

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?
Click to expand...

Q-tips are teh hotness when it comes to that:) Roll an end between your fingers to compress/shape it and then go to town.
 
imsati said:
http://www.computerforum.com/111094...r-temps-after-thermal-paste-3.html#post894889



Q-tips are teh hotness when it comes to that:) Roll an end between your fingers to compress/shape it and then go to town.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. I'm now reading that the pins on the HSF need to be in a specific position before you push them down. I had assumed this and tried different positions, but I guess I'll give it another shot tonight, based on this picture:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=2983

It also said to push down diagonally opposite pins at the same time.

My only concern is that I'm "using" the CPU too much. I've already taken it out once or twice, and now I need to do it again to finish cleaning it. Hopefully it's more resilient than I give it credit for. I am careful not to touch the underside, but I don't like constantly putting it back into the socket.

I read that since Socket 775 pins are on the motherboard itself, it only supports about 20 removals before there's no guarantee it will work anymore!
 
JohnJSal said:
Is it safe to use alcohol on the copper base of the HS to remove the paste from there as well?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's right.

Someone suggested installing the HSF on the motherboard outside the case. Try that. Don't get discouraged. It took me 12 hours to build my first rig and two of those hours were spent installing the Zalman 9700. :o Now it only takes like two minutes to install the HSF. It gets easier.
 
mep916 said:
Yeah, that's right.

Someone suggested installing the HSF on the motherboard outside the case. Try that. Don't get discouraged. It took me 12 hours to build my first rig and two of those hours were spent installing the Zalman 9700. :o Now it only takes like two minutes to install the HSF. It gets easier.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the motherboard hasn't been installed yet. I can't imagine going through this torture with it already inside the case! When I get home I plan to finish cleaning up the thermal paste from the CPU and HSF, and if any got on the socket cage, then I'll try again.

Despite the fact that I read the instructions several times, one thing I missed was the suggestion to push diagonally opposite pins together, instead of one after the other. Maybe that will help.

I checked the plastic on the pins this morning and they all still seem fine. I was able to lock them and unlock them, so now I just need to do it while it's attached to the motherboard. :)

Btw, today will be day 3 of building. I didn't think it would take this long, but hopefully it will get done today.
 
JohnJSal said:
Despite the fact that I read the instructions several times, one thing I missed was the suggestion to push diagonally opposite pins together, instead of one after the other.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, now I'm just talking to myself but still...I realized I read the above instructions on their website. The paper instructions that came with the cooler I'm almost positive say to do them separately. I'll have to check when I get home. The instructions weren't very good anyway.
 
I very strongly dislike the push-pin style of HSF, always preferring to to with the screw-in type instead. My first build all those years ago met with some un-foreseen problems, too, so no worries. It's a first-time self-built 'coming of age' type thing. :)
 
John, don't worry man, it happens to the best of us! :)

You don't have to take the CPU out just to clean it though, I mean, it's not as if the thermal paste gets on the pins, right?

I never take mine out... not since I first put it in.

I use alcohol wipes to clean mine.

Hope this is some help! Good luck!
 
imsati said:
I very strongly dislike the push-pin style of HSF, always preferring to to with the screw-in type instead. My first build all those years ago met with some un-foreseen problems, too, so no worries. It's a first-time self-built 'coming of age' type thing. :)
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Thanks. Hopefully it will turn out well. I just can't help but think that I'm slowly destroying the motherboard and the processor by having to do so much work with them. Maybe that's just my OCD mind. If things don't go perfectly the first time, it all feels ruined. :)
 
Kornowski said:
John, don't worry man, it happens to the best of us! :)

You don't have to take the CPU out just to clean it though, I mean, it's not as if the thermal paste gets on the pins, right?

I never take mine out... not since I first put it in.

I use alcohol wipes to clean mine.

Hope this is some help! Good luck!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the thought of that stuff seeping into the socket.... ::shudder::
 
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