how to clean cpu ?

[Roy Wilkins]

I want to clean my amd barton 2800 cpu & stock hsf before it goes to my new mobo (rmaed). so far it has artic silver 3 on it, can I use brake cleaner to clean? I also have rubbing alcohol that is for household use. thanks in advance

[Bovon]

You can use most anything on the heatsink.

I have used alcohol with little success on CPUs, and have also used fingernail polish remover (acetone) which does a good job...some people have said they would not use acetone, but so far.. I have not seen any ill results from using it...the CPU core and ceramic base are apparently immune to damage from such products.

I am also told (or read) that later processors have a different material for the base..not ceramic..if so, I do not know what the material might be...so, if acetone is tried...try a small dab out near a corner, and watch for discoloring or distortion.

Use an old tooth brush to scrub with..

Brake cleaner may work very well..I just have not tried it myself, but brake cleaner cannot be more harmful than acetone...which will attack most anything made!

[Bigjakkstaffa]

I tend to use Industrial Methylated Spirit or Isopropanol to clean up the gunk, namely because we've got loads of it in the garage.

However, when you've done your cleaning i woulg advise giving everythign a wipe over with a paper kitchen towel or similar and leaving it all for a little while to dry, before reapplying paste and popping it all back in a system.

--Jakk:t

[Rocketmech]

Brake cleaner is too harsh. You can use WD40 to clean the thermal grease , etc. then dry things up with an iso-alcohol or elec. contact cleaner afterwards . Works for me and every electrician I know.

[ukulele]

To be safe just clean it up with a razor blade put on some new compound or thermal pad and get on with it. There is no need to clean it good enough to eat off of it.

[dajogejr]

Non Flammable Brake Cleaner is fine.
I'd recommend spraying it onto a rag, first...then...wipe away.

I know you said use iso-alch or contact cleaner after, Rocket...but, I'd be weary using anything with that much oil in it...

Hey...each is own, right?
:D

[megaspazz]

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164884&highlight=cpu+in+the+wash

causticVapour has a great guide right here! :D

yeah, acetone worked ok for me when
cleaning my mobile athlon xp 1800+.

*but always try a small spot first, like
Bovon said.*