Alcohol pads/prep?

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dragoon38900

New Member
Quick question, Can I use Alcohol prep/pads to clean the Thermal paste off the cpu/heatsink so I can apply my artic silver 5? (you know, the ones doctors use)

My "story" (skip if you dont care):
I just bought my new upgrades, and I think I messed up real bad when attatching the heatsink to the cpu. First, I placed it on, but then I noticed that the words on the fan was upside down, so I lifted it up and flipped it... which is probably a very stupid thing to do. When I turned it on, it was HOT. Im talking, 40-50 idle, 60-70 (*even almost 80) on load. I ran 3d mark 06, and damn, I got a 3500 as my score (this was a core 2 duo e6600 with a 8800gts 320 mb)... my old AMD rig did better than that: ~4800 @1280X1024 Athlon X2 4200 with a 7900gt. I can tell the reason for this is because it was over heating. The C2D was actually doing well at first, with 40-50 FPS (the AMD did 20-30 FPS), but then it slowed down DRASTICALLY to ~10 FPS. When I touched the case, it was very warm, so I decided to order 2 more case fans and an arctic silver 5. IF by chance, reapplying the thermal paste doesnt do anything, should I get some other heatsink/fan for the CPU? Whats recommended (Im in a tight budget here... dont recommend me some 50+ heatsink/fan....lol)?

Oh, another question: The AS website says that for Core Duos, you should apply it in a straight line. However, people say to use only a rice grain amount. How can someone do this (applying one grain of rice in such a line of thermal grease)? Do you apply a grain of rice, and then spread it into a line? Or is the amount of thermal paste released so thin that you can make a line with only the amount of a grain of rice...? (sorry if I dont make any sense)
Also, which is better? To spread the thermal grease on the CPU yourself?, or to allow the heatsink pressure to spread itself out?
 
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i think you can use alcohol.... i have used it with no probs, and there was a site about that you can use it... but im not really sure. 50CFM + HSF for a overclocking compy...
 
I have used alcohol prep pads. I normally blot them off a little so they are not quite so damp. They work great. Or a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol on it works well.

I normally just set a good blob down and let the tightening of the HS spread the compound.

I would recommend this HSF, I have it and many others do, it is a beast but worth it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118004
 
That HS doesnt look like its compatible with socket LGA 755... (core 2 duo) and it seems a bit pricey. I dont wanna spend more money than I already spent on everything. Maybe something around or less than $30?

So has anybody tried applying the Thermal paste in a line like the one shown in the Artic Silver website? Was it affective?
 
Well, after 4 tries, I finally got great results! Idles 20-30, loads at 40-50. In my first try, I applied it in a line, but it still got too hot (went up to 60+). I put too little I guess... Then I tried adding more, and that idled at 30-40, load 60+. Was still too much for my tastes, so I did it again. This was the worst Idea, I tried doing the credit card spread idea, and it just failed. 5 seconds into the bios, and the temps already shot up to 60. I turned it off when it went to 70. Very bad idea. The last attempt was the best, and I will do it this way from now on. First, you take a little of the grease on to the heatsink and rub it with your finger (which is covered in a ziplock bag) untill its translucent all over the heatsink. Then, apply the line method on to the CPU. Install it and apply some pressure. And thats it! I got 24c right on start up, and it stays around there. And with this 200 hour time thingy Ive heard about, Im guessing its only ganna get better from there?

Before reapplying thermal grease:
3dmark06: ~3300

After reapplying thermal grease:
3dmark06: ~7000 - No overclock! (ok, so it was 6900 something...is that bad?)
 
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