Anything I can use around the house to clean a heatsink?

[MikeTyson]

As the title says, anything I can use? Cos I don't have any of that alcohol based stuff

 

[HXL492]

You could find Isopropyl alcohol cleaning fluid at electronic stores. They usually come in spray bottles. Or order some arti clean. I really don't know what you could find around the house to clean that hard solid goop on your heat sink.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Well if you have nothing at all you can just give it a good clean, I have used baby wipes in the past, and then just finished/dried it off with a good cotton/microfibre cloth making extra sure it is thoroughly cleaned and dried as best I can.

Though Isopropyl alcohol would be best to remove the residue left behind and recommended if it is really old dried thermal paste.

 

[jaredudu]

I just use an air compressor to blow all the dust out. If you have something else you could probably try windex.

 

[WhiteLotus]

I just use a dry piece of tissue.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

I just use an air compressor to blow all the dust out. If you have something else you could probably try windex.

I think he means to clean the thermal paste off the bottom of one. Would be a bit hard with compressed air

 

[Kreij]

Something acetone based (like fingernail polish remover) should work.
Keep it away from any plastic.

 

[t_ski]

Dish soap cuts grease, ketchup removes gunk from copper, any kind of hard liquor should work in place of isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Thrackan]

Dish soap cuts grease, ketchup removes gunk from copper, any kind of hard liquor should work in place of isopropyl alcohol.

Hard liquor should be drank. Period.

 

[Kreij]

Hard liquor should always be used in a 1:3 ratio.
1 shot for cleaning the HS, 3 shots for cleaning the technician.

If you do use liquor to remove TIM, it is advisable to wipe it off with warm water after the gunk is gone, to remove any residue left by the sugars in the liquor (unless you happen to have pure grain alcohol around the house for those really stressful times).

 

[95Viper]

Naptha... If you have any lighter fluid, camping stove fuel, other solvents(read the label, make sure it is not contain parafin or other such lubricants; where as, lighter fluid, camp stove fuel are usually pure) and look for naptha or naphthalene.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible, if you use the substance incorrectly and set yourself on fire, get brain damage from inhalation, or any other problem.
Read the label and precautions.

 

[JrRacinFan]

A small touch of window cleaner on a paper towel works well. Just make sure you wipe it really well afterwards with a dry paper towel.

 

[Kreij]

Naptha... If you have any lighter fluid, camping stove fuel, other solvents

Just mix the fuel with the TIM, light it and burn it off. The heat from the flame shouldn't hurt it as it is a heatsink after all...

Disclaimer : Ditto on Viper's disclaimer

 

[Thrackan]

Just mix the fuel with the TIM, light it and burn it off. The heat from the flame shouldn't hurt it as it is a heatsink after all...

Disclaimer : Ditto on Viper's disclaimer

Little piece of advice: don't hold the heatsink with your bare hands while you apply heat to it

 

[95Viper]

Just mix the fuel with the TIM, light it and burn it off. The heat from the flame shouldn't hurt it as it is a heatsink after all...

Disclaimer : Ditto on Viper's disclaimer

Little piece of advice: don't hold the heatsink with your bare hands while you apply heat to it

Oh...noes!

Possible result of not reading label and improper use.

 

[HXL492]

Oh...noes!
http://steve.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/hair-on-fire.jpg

Possible result of not reading label and improper use.

I see Bart Simpson in that picture


Anyway don't use oil or oil based fluids on that heatsink of yours or you will STUFF it up (literally)

 

[TeXBill]

Hard liquor should always be used in a 1:3 ratio.
1 shot for cleaning the HS, 3 shots for cleaning the technician.

+1 on the Technician

 

[MikeTyson]

Thanks guys, think I'm gonna have to get a new cooler. Getting 51C idle on a Scythe Mugen I is just plain shit, I think it's cos it keeps hitting some stuff on my motherboard and is therefore never gonna sit right :/

Freezer 7 Pro the best, or is theere better>? Thanks

 

[Thrackan]

Thanks guys, think I'm gonna have to get a new cooler. Getting 51C idle on a Scythe Mugen I is just plain shit, I think it's cos it keeps hitting some stuff on my motherboard and is therefore never gonna sit right :/

Freezer 7 Pro the best, or is theere better>? Thanks

Yes, there is something better than a Freezer 7: a Scythe Mugen. Seriously, the Mugen doesn't fit? Can you rotate it 90 degrees maybe? What does it interfere with?

 

[MikeTyson]

Yes, there is something better than a Freezer 7: a Scythe Mugen. Seriously, the Mugen doesn't fit? Can you rotate it 90 degrees maybe? What does it interfere with?

Theres little square black caps that it kinda hits, but barely... it still goes down flat, so I don't get it :|

but if I rotate the cooler, then it won't work properly cos I'll have to put the fan on one of the smaller sides

it hits the 2 black things that are to the left of the CPU socket (if you were to look at the picture from the correct angle)

 

[Thrackan]

Theres little square black caps that it kinda hits, but barely... it still goes down flat, so I don't get it :|

but if I rotate the cooler, then it won't work properly cos I'll have to put the fan on one of the smaller sides

Hmm, if it goes down flat it should work. Can you get us some pics of the internals?

 

[de.das.dude]

if someone in the house uses nail polish, you can use the nail polish remover.

 

[MikeTyson]

Hmm, if it goes down flat it should work. Can you get us some pics of the internals?

\i will tomorrow ):