Cleaning heatsink and CPU

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:12 pm

If I don't have, and don't know where to get, de-natured alcohol, what should I clean my heatsink and CPU with to get the best cooling results?? My idle temp is 42 with the side removed...44 with the side on. I have a Thermalright 900a with a Sunan 90mm fan.

One4yu2c · Post by **One4yu2c** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:15 pm

I use a combination of >90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol (available everywhere) and q-tips when cleaning my heatsinks. I generally alternate between damp and dry q-tips and keep repeating until no more gunk is visible on the cotton. At that point, I give it a final buff and it's good to go.

GooGone is another popular option for particularly dirty/sticky surfaces, preferably followed by alcohol as mentioned above.

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:19 pm

One4yu2c wrote:I use a combination of >90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol (available everywhere) and q-tips when cleaning my heatsinks. I generally alternate between damp and dry q-tips and keep repeating until no more gunk is visible on the cotton. At that point, I give it a final buff and it's good to go.

GooGone is another popular option for particularly dirty/sticky surfaces, preferably followed by alcohol as mentioned above.

Same here. I've got the 99% isopropyl alcohol and evaporates very quickly. I've also used 91% and I could tell it doesn't evaporate quite as quickly but still works well. I wouldn't go too much lower than 91% purity.
I use a piece of paper towel to get the majority of it off to begin with and then go to the Q-Tips and 99% isopropyl to finish it off. You are supposed to use a "lint free" cloth of some kind but those aren't really that easy to come by so I just use the Q-Tips and paper towel but and VERY careful about checking for stray strands of cotton left behind by the Q-tips or fuzz from the paper towel.

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:26 pm

I also use 91% Isopropyl Alcohol; it works well for me, and if you're looking for a lint-free cloth, look no further than those blue shop towels from AutoZone or Advance Auto, or equivalent auto parts store. I've used these before, and I didn't find one lint fiber on my heatsink, even after intensive rubbing and polishing with the same cloth. It's like a soft denim material, only without the lint. Are you using AS 5, btw?

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:34 pm

killswitch83 wrote:if you're looking for a lint-free cloth, look no further than those blue shop towels from AutoZone or Advance Auto, or equivalent auto parts store. I've used these before, and I didn't find one lint fiber on my heatsink, even after intensive rubbing and polishing with the same cloth. It's like a soft denim material, only without the lint.

AAAHHHHHH, good call!!!!
^^This is why these forums are such a great resource. Such a wealth of information and helpful people all at your fingertips. I don't even watch TV anymore (unless it's The Simpsons) because I can just go on the internet and actually LEARN something and enrich myself and be interactive in a community that share my similar hobbies and loves it as much as I do!!!
WOOHOOO!!!!

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:56 pm

lol, it's the only reason why I keep cable. This place is a wellspring of knowledge, but I personally believe it's only because it's collective knowledge. I know I learned a heck of a lot about new technology, techniques, amongst other things, in the almost 3 months I've been a member. All I gotta say is Cheers!!

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:01 pm

thanks for all the help.

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:11 pm

I got my 99% isopropyl alcohol at Meijer for under $2...

One4yu2c · Post by **One4yu2c** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:48 pm

gvblake22 wrote:I got my 99% isopropyl alcohol at Meijer for under $2...

Same here - and for those who have never heard of Meijer, it's basically mid-west version/competitor of Wal-Mart.

LVCapo · Post by **LVCapo** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:55 pm

You can buy denatured alcohol at Lowes or Home Depot, it should be in the paint section, WalMart or a like store should probably have it as well. Other than that, follow the advice given and go with some 90% or better rubbing alcohol. Also, keep in mid that Arctic Silver has released a cleaning kit for heat sinks and processors that removes all thermal paste and residue .

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 9:37 am

you can also ask at a pharmacy generaly they keep it behind the counter, just let them know that its for cleaning electronics and heatsinks, so you wont have to show them a prescription or something like that.

sbohdan · Post by **sbohdan** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:07 am

I tried all kinds of things but guess what: my girlfriends nail polish remover followed by alcohol works best for me.

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:15 am

sbohdan wrote:I tried all kinds of things but guess what: my girlfriends nail polish remover followed by alcohol works best for me.

Same here, except its now ex-girlfriends nail polish remover

(bitch)

Another thing is tape/video head cleaner (is actuall isopropyl alcohol anyway)

As infinitevalence said, the chemist/pharmacy has alcohol, $2 worth would be about 100ml !!! thats a lifetime

Just make sure it is alcohol as it evaporates @ room temp... Otherwise a stray drop could be a disaster!!!!

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:57 am

nail polish remover does work but remember that acetone is an oil based substance so it will leave a residue on the heatsink, if you do use it then go over it with rubbing alch at the very least.

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:03 am

yep, and you can't use the stuff with fragrance either because it has oils in it that will sink into the heatsink and render it useless. I prefer rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol over it, can't say I prefer it over Arctic's cleaning solution because I've never used it.

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:10 am

infinitevalence wrote:nail polish remover does work but remember that acetone is an oil based substance so it will leave a residue on the heatsink, if you do use it then go over it with rubbing alch at the very least.

killswitch83 wrote:yep, and you can't use the stuff with fragrance either because it has oils in it that will sink into the heatsink and render it useless.

I didn't know that..
Cheers guys

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 12:11 pm

Anytime, and if you want any more info, I would go to Arctic Silver's website. They have a lot of good info, and cleaning products, and of course home to everyone's favorite: Arctic Silver 5.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 2:10 pm

Got it all clean and running...I also have a thread in cooling about NB fan....got one at a local electronics store for $10 the net result is a drop of at least 10' C idle and about 15 load. I had no idea that the NB temp could affect CPU temp sooo much...about 4 degrees drop just from the new heatsink and fan on the NB. Thanks for all the help!!! NOw to see if my crash problem is fixed with the temp.