Thermal Paste

[34erd]

I'm taking apart my computer because I need to take pictures for a school project. Will I need to replace the thermal pad with AS5 if I take the HSF off? I was reading the guide on Arctic's website and it said that you should not apply it on HSF's that have a used thermal pad on them, because the wax in them will have melted. Do I need to worry about this?

 

[Hairy_Lee]

you'll have to clean off you heatsink and cpu before you reapply the new thermal compound. some alcohol, such as surgical spirit will help while doing this

 

[34erd]

Yeah I know that, but it says that even the most rigourus cleaning will not remove the thermal pad completely and therefore reduce affectiveness. Do I need to worry about that?
What should I use to clean it? I have acetone, but the highest rubbing alocohol I have is 91%, and I dont want to short anything. Wll acetone work?

 

[4W4K3]

I've used thermal paste on previously "padded" HSF's, never a problem after I cleaned it good. Really, if you clean it off well and lap it slightly, there will be no residue left behind. Regular isopropyl 91% or higher will do the job with some Q-tips and maybe a cloth.

I did this on a laptop since it was overheating badl with the pad, and never suffered from high temps again.