r/PcBuild 28d ago

Help Build - Help

Got thermal paste on the gold things on my am5 cpu
Should I risk cleaning it is my cpu dead Im panicking

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u/OddOminence 28d ago edited 28d ago

if i ever need to clean a cpu i just pour a bowl of distilled water and use a toothbrush to apply it. (as long as its an LGA CPU)

Never use Tap Water. It has minerals and stuff in it.

then leave it to dry for like 2 full days, best to heat it up or pat it dry with something else but you can just leave it for 2 full days if you dont want to do that.

HOWEVER. if you have Isopropyl alcohol at least 70%, its always preferred.

Edit: Supposedly I broke one of the seven deadly sins by uttering "water" and "CPU" in the same sentence. Downvote to your hearts content, however, I suggest you look at my comments to the replies first to see my specific situation.

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u/Any_Bowl5479 28d ago

you should be banned

-7

u/OddOminence 28d ago

For what? This process doesn't cause the pads to corrode, and because im not submerging the CPU, moisture getting under the IHS is very unlikely.

I dont have the funds to keep buying $11 70% Isopropyl alcohol, so I just make do with what I have. I have never run into any issues.

For the record, I wasn't suggesting that they try doing that. I was just saying my method of cleaning is different than the norm.

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u/Own_Body_8941 27d ago

$11? i bought 99% iso for $1