Thread: Thermal paste question

Hi,

I have done the very same thing myself many many times

You may find its ok carry on the install as it is, depends how much paste has come off, but to be safe its probably best to clean off and start over.. here is a brief guide for you..

STEP ONE
Clean the bottom surface of the heatsink.
Use a lint-free cloth (an old cotton t-shirt will do), and use 99.9% pure isopropyl alcohol to clean the heatsink off.
If there is a thermal pad or old thermal compound on the bottom, wipe as much off as you can before using the alcohol.

**DO NOT SCRAPE THE HEATSINK WITH ANY METALLIC OBJECTS**

This will damage your heatsink and you will have to get a new one.

Next, carefully use a clean spot on your lint-free cloth and alcohol to clean the top of the processor die.

STEP TWO
Prep the heatsink.

Use *very little* thermal compound there is no need to slather the processor with gobs of compound!

Dispense a very small amount (about the size of a single grain of rice) of compound directly onto the heatsink. Then wrap your finger in some clean plastic wrap and use your finger to work the compound into the metal of the heatsink. It is not necessary to go all the way out to the edges of the heatsink, as the only place we are concerned about is where the heatsink actually touches the die.

I hope this is of help