Well, no need to be afraid.
If you try with patience, you could fix it.
Ill guide you throughout the process.
So, how to clean the thermal paste from CPU pins?
Keep reading the whole post without any further ado.
Intel Core series and AMD Threadripper series use LGA.
So there arent any pins on these CPUs, only round contact pads.
Its easier to clean them.
AMD Ryzen series uses PGA.
Thats why its relatively harder to clean thermal paste off the Ryzen CPUs.
Remember:
Most recent thermal pastes dont conduct electricity (except liquid thermal compounds).
So you only need to remove enough to allow the pins to have a proper connection with the socket.
What To Do If Thermal Paste Falls On CPU?
As a cleaning agent, you will use 70% or higher concentration isopropyl alcohol.
To dry out the brush between consecutive wipes, youll need some tissues.
you might also use a magnifying glass if you feel the need.
If it does, congrats!
Youve done it pat yourself in the back.
If it doesnt, dont lose hope.
Maybe you better clean it a bit more.
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There are dedicated thermal paste cleaners available on the market.
Get one of them.
Youll need a pack of q-tips as a cleaning tool.
Feel free to use a magnifying glass if required.
Apply a small amount of thermal paste cleaner on the CPU where needed.
Dont apply too much.
Thermal paste cleaners will take time to bind with the thermal paste.
So leave it for 5 minutes.
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Use the q-tip to brush over the tips gently.
Dont be aggressive; otherwise, significant damage might happen, especially if youre cleaning an AMD Ryzen CPU.
Intel CPUs dont have pins on the CPU, so its a flat surface.
Usually, some gentle wipes are enough for the cleaning.
Hence, take your time and dont apply pressure.
You only need to remove enough paste to allow good contact.
Thermal paste lumps will get stuck in the q-tip.
So, swap it for a new one.
Take excess liquid away.
you’re free to use a fresh q-tip to mop the excess liquid.
Test to see if the CPU works.
Put on your CPU cooler and see if your PC boots up.
Does the PC boot up?
Great, youve nailed it.
The PC doesnt boot up?
Take out the CPU and try cleaning it again.
Maybe small bits of paste are stuck somewhere thats not allowing the CPU pins to make proper contact.
Why Use Thermal Paste On CPU?
On a microscopic level, there are tiny pockets and grooves all over the heat spreader.
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Hence, your CPU will not get proper cooling and might even refuse to operate.
These pastes also conduct heat very fast so that the cooling efficiency is higher.
Are There Any Alternatives To Thermal Paste?
Yes, there is an alternative to the thermal paste.
Graphite thermal pads are available, which are very easy to put on and remove.
FAQ
Question:Is it bad to get thermal paste on the CPU?
The PC will not boot.
So you should probably remove the thermal paste to make the CPU work.
Question:Can you use alcohol on CPU pins?
To clean thermal paste off CPU pins, you could use 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Dont spill too much, and youll be fine.
Question:What happens if you put too much thermal paste?
Answer:Too much thermal paste will reduce the heat conduction significantly.
Over time, itll form a thick and hard lump and might cause your PC not to boot altogether.
You just need to be careful and try not to bend the CPU pins while doing it.
