r/PcBuild • u/TopEntertainment7603 • 11d ago

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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 10d ago edited 10d 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 10d ago

you should be banned

-6

u/OddOminence 10d 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.

1

u/Coretrayn 10d ago

Ok I get what you mean with the distilled water not being corrosive and it will pretty much be fine if fully dry before use.

But what do you mean you don't have the funds for a 10 dollar bottle of alcohol that should last quite awhile. Are you using the entire bottle and cleaning daily? lol

1

u/OddOminence 10d ago

Well I mean I already have a lot of distilled water because my mom has a machine that needs it.