I dropped a small amount of thermal paste onto the cpu socket (lga 1700 if that matters) and I tried to get it out by using a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol but I can’t seem to get all of it out. The pictures aren’t great but I tried to show it as best I could. Is they any way I can get all of this out? Or will it still work with just a small amount left in? Please help I don’t want to waste $200!
33 Comments
dweller_12 2 days ago
Doesn’t look like there’s enough to cause any issues. As long as the pins make contact it works.
simagus 2 days ago
“We are not a community where members feign stupidity when posting and commenting because they find it funny. You can be banned if you conduct yourself like that here.”
So I will reply seriously with as long as it’s not still stuck on any of the pins you should be fine.
You did the right thing with the rubbing alcohol and toothbrush, but maybe let it fully evaporate before you build that PC.
BeerGogglesFTW 2 days ago
I’ve made this mistake. I didn’t clean the CPU before removing it, and the excess paste dripped over… Like, stretchy cheese on a fresh slice of pizza.
I took a tooth brush that was dipped in 91% isopropyl alcohol, dried that off, and then very, very gently brushed the pasty pins.
TimmmyTurner 2 days ago
spray some 99% isopropyl alcohol then try to use q tip to clean it
smithversman 2 days ago
Iirc thermal paste is not that conductive, and in your case, i can see barely of it, and i think it wouldn’t cause you a problem.
*liquid metal* on the other hand, i wouldn’t bother to clean it up cuz as soon as the liquid drops on the socke or any part of the mb, there goes your mb.
MrVernon09 2 days ago
Check out this [video](https://youtu.be/rmhJLheNmzw?si=cFUSAl1RTSWH0qCW) from JayzTwoCents.
Positive-Olive3530 2 days ago
Thermal paste is non conductive and there isn’t enough to cause blockage. Just socket it
elliotborst 2 days ago
Soft toothbrush with IPA?
amypond420 2 days ago
99% chance you did more harm than good, unless you’re a complete idiot you used non conductive thermal paste and there probably wasn’t even any need to clean it. good luck.
XRaiderV1 2 days ago
you’ll want 99% medical grade iso, but no less than 95%, you’re going to need to fairly drown the socket in the stuff. the iso will pretty much disintegrate the thermal paste.
use cotton swabs to mop up the resultant mess that WILL leak out from around the retention mechanism thats mounted to the socket, but under no circ*mstances should you use said swabs IN the socket. you can and likely WILL damage the pins.
NukeLikeTheBomb 2 days ago
Put it in rice.
Kidding of course. Thermal paste is made of the right materials to not cause problems. Just do the best you can to get it clear with alcohol and a soft bursh without bending the pins.
BaconMeetsCheese 2 days ago
It’s over
Daddydante88 2 days ago
Use a spray bottle with 90% isopropyl alcohol. gently rinse it away
Quint87 2 days ago
Isopropyl alcohol and some canned air.
Let it dry and socket the cpu, you should be fine.
InevitabilityEngine 2 days ago
I have personal floss pics that have a very thin tapered plastic tip. The tip is gentle and could be used to remove material.
Work very gentle like an archeologist in the final stages of fossil exposure.
I have seen pin straightening done with a empty click pen using the open metal writing point used to embrace a pin one at a time to adjust them but let’s not even get there.
South-Enthusiasm4953 2 days ago
Use isopropyl alcohol in the socket pour it little by little then use a tooth brush brush it gently then if the isopropyl alcohol is dry pour it again Little by little until the thermal paste is gone, then wait for the isopropyl alcohol to completely dry then you can try turning it on
Petapeutti 2 days ago
H4v0cH3lls1ng 2 days ago
Hey here’s a youtube guide cleaning thermal paste, although yours is not nearly as bad.
https://youtu.be/rmhJLheNmzw?si=paxC2sFs_Egp3d9JSirOakin 2 days ago
Get a small stiff brush, like the kind used for cleaning a shaver.
xXDEGENERATEXx 2 days ago
Normal thermal Paste is non conductive, it will Work just fine
DangyDanger 2 days ago
Thermal paste usually isn’t conductive afaik, but to be sure find out how conductive yours is.
killzone506 2 days ago
Soft toothbrush, 99% rubbing alcohol & lots of patience.
No_Cake_4181 2 days ago
Electric parts cleaner
Duncan-Donnuts 2 days ago
its fine
riomp300 2 days ago
You can use [CRC Electronic Cleaner ](https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRC-Electronic-Cleaner-Quick-Dry-for-Sensitive-Electronics-11-oz/16817418) if you need to get it out.
cburgess7 2 days ago
isopropyl alcohol and thermite… i mean… termites… wait… turnpikes? no, that’s not it either… wormed mice? dammit… canned air, that’s what I was looking for, so yeah
isopropyl alcohol and canned air. the alcohol will break down the paste, and the canned air to blow it out.
tru3robin 2 days ago
Hold upside down and squirt it with isopropyl alcohol until it’s clean again lol
DeeKahy 2 days ago
A needle and a lot of patience
Berry2460 2 days ago
put the cpu in and forget about it. Its not enough to cause issues.
Glad_Wing_758 2 days ago
Run it bud. Won’t hurt a thing
Jaba01 2 days ago
Most likely won’t do anything, but you can use some IPA to clean nonetheless.
Vexerino1337 2 days ago
Dip a clean fine toothbrush with isopropyl alcohol and scrub it away, you might need to apply some alcohol on the socket. If you’re already scrubbing for a while and it’s still wont come off, blow it off with some canned compressed air.
Write A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
