How do I clean a CPU and heatsink ... ie remove the thernal pad/ compound??

jpe20

Hi folks,

My CPU is running too hot according to views by some people in this forum 64deg (AMD ATHLON 3000+). I am planning at the very least to clean and reseat/or replace the heatsink/fan combo.

I am aware that I need a solvent to clean off the thermal compound etc but I do not want to use acetone. Xylene I have seen mentioned or nail polish remover. I have some white spirits (In my paint supplies drawer!!!), can I use that??? Otherwise what specific item can I buy on the high street can do a good job of cleaning???

I just hope I do not find a slower CPU under the heatsink than I was expecting. This would go a long way to explaining the overheating. I am using a aluminium heatsink with a pretty feeble looking asaka fan on top. I am possibly thinking of buying one of the Zalman coolers ... one of the figure of eight ones. (Do I still need to purchase a separate copper heatsink to the Zalman fans or are they all in one units???)

Thanks tech heads....

Jules

jpe20

Oh for those who may be interested ....

There is a process called "lapping" which is basically a process of smoothing the surface of the heatsink to what I think is an extreme level. This improves the thermal efficiency of the heatsink to some degree. Aparently all you need is patience and some 600grit sandpaper. Lay the sandpaper on a very flat surface (glass seems best) add a dilute water/fairy liquid mix to the middle of the paper and grind away. It is supposed to be difficult at first to move the heatsink over the paper but it gets easier. At the end of the process it should be smooth when you run your nail along the surface like glass is I suppose.

If I try this I'll let you know. I assume you need only do this for old or stock heatsinks.

Jules

wolfman

jpe20 wrote:

At the end of the process it should be smooth when you run your nail along the surface like glass is I suppose.

Just remember to clean it afterwards if you rub your finger over it otherwise you run the risk of having a thin layer of grease between your cpu and thermal paste. Use something like meths to get it nice and clean.

If you want one of the better heatsinks, get a Thermaltake SI-97. It's made of aluminium so will be nice and light too (not put as much strain as a copper one would). It uses heatpipe technology and should get your cpu running nearer 40C. Combine it with a Panaflo (or equivalent) fan for cool, yet quiet cpu cooling.

Overclockers have it for £24 (look down the page)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Thermalright_120.html

For decent, well priced fans, go here:
http://www.dorothybradbury.co.uk/
She's very reliable and quick. Have always bought my case/cpu fans from her.

I currently run a Thermalright XP-90 on my Athlon64 with a 92mm Panaflo and my system idles at 32C and runs at around 38C under load. It's virtually silent.

wazza

have you considered adding extra fans to your tower. some have facilities to accomodate more than one fan.

jpe20

I leave the case open!!!!! I assume you can't get much cooler than that. I really think there is a problem with the cpu overheating ..... system fan and psu fan seem to run well and do their job.

Jules

maforduk

Haveing the case open is a bad idea.
Not only does it let alot more dust in but it also stops the air flow within the machine that the fans create to keep it cool.

jpe20

The main reason for leaving the case open was really to keep the AGP GFX card cool. In reality it made very little difference to the CPU temperatures. Being an old board the airflow situation is not as critical as it is on the newer systems.

I've overclocked the gfx card and having the case open does keep it cooler. Though I do agree with letting in more dust so I guess I will just have to clean it more regularly.

Jules

T4i

I remember reading your system temps and your system case temp was fine. I've been running the coolermaster aero7+ on my 2800+ Barton for the last 6months only to realise how bad it is.

Its loud, its cooling ability isnt that good at all, I've recently replaced the aero7 fan with a 'normal' fan and its doing a top job, plus its quiter.

Edit** - I use blue-tak to remove silver thermal compound. Not the best, but I always have some stuck about the house and it works for me.

T4i

wolfman wrote:

For decent, well priced fans, go here:
http://www.dorothybradbury.co.uk/
She's very reliable and quick. Have always bought my case/cpu fans from her.

Cool, thanks for that link, ordered mysen a handful of 39cfm fans.....:cool:

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Nice little program, Speedfan, it monitors voltages, fan speeds and temperatures, and hard disk temperatures too in computers with hardware monitor chips and it can also change your fan speeds.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Mark_LJ

I tend to use the missus's nail varnish remover with a bit of cotton wool to get rid of old paste. I use arctic silver 5 as the replacement paste - put a tiny dodd on the heatsink and rub it well in. When you put it on the cpu just use a small amount and then a credit card to spread it thinly over the surface.

As wolfman say Dorothy Bradbury is spot on to deal with. TheCoolingShop is another good place for bits like that - Iirc my last socket A cooler was a Volcano 12 with a 80-120mm adapter and a big SilenX 120mm fan on the top. The standard Volcano 12 is only about £14 and was a very efficient cooler (fan is speed adjustable to lessen the noise). Current setup is an Thermalright SI-120 which is a lovely bit of kit.