The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Cleaning thermal paste.

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by sYgmata, Dec 21, 2016.

  1. sYgmata

    sYgmata Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am not able to acquire Isopropyl alcohol where I currently am (temporarily out of the United States).

    Is it safe to use 96% Ethyl alcohol to clean off the thermal paste from the CPU and GPU? If not, is there any other alternative?
     
  2. Zoltan@zTecpc

    Zoltan@zTecpc Company Representative

    Reputations:
    229
    Messages:
    207
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes, that should work just as good as isopropyl, alcohol is a very good solvent.
     
  3. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,912
    Trophy Points:
    931
    It's nice to have a shiny core but not required for full performance. A strong paper towl and a wipe does the job just fine unless things have got REALLY crusty.
     
  4. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,257
    Messages:
    7,426
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Even streak-free window cleaner (Windex) will work, although you don't need anything more than a lint free cloth to remove the compound. If it's caked on there badly, try heating a bit (careful with the electronics).
     
  5. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,912
    Trophy Points:
    931
    The only time I would say it's a really good idea to clean the core fully is if a capacitive or conductive material has been used for thermal paste.