Removing CPU Heatsink that has been applied with AMD Thermalpad

Due to my motherboard being defective, I am going to have to remove all components from it so I can go through with the RMA. In particular, my AMD 64X2 3800+ processor. This processor was fastened with the stock thermal pad that comes on AMD heatsinks. Now, to safely remove and clean the cpu and heatsink without damaging either, I have to;
1. Removing the heatsink immediately after I turn off the PC. At this time the thermal pad will be melted, and make removal safer and easier.
2. I can clean the bottom of the heatsink with pure acetone, and rubbing alcohol. Using a microfiber cloth. (eyeglass cloth)
3. Use Q-Tips and cloth with alcohol to clean the CPU, and to remove thermal pad gunk.
If it matters, the pre-applied TIM was of a pencil lead/graphite grey color.

Am I missing anything? Can I safely use acetone on the CPU? Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks

PS. I intend to use Arctic Silver 5 in place of a thermal pad when I fit the cpu onto new mobo. Is all the stuff AMD talks about (thermal pads filling microscopic peaks and valleys) really applicable to modern processors?

 

First off, I would keep the acetone WELL away from the motherboard; one drop in the wrong place, and you'll void the warranty, which means you can say "ADIOS" to the RMA. Acetone can melt many materials, including various types of nylon / delrin products, along with other synthetics. It EATS varnish and shellac, not to mention many paints, and I wouldn't allow it NEAR computer hardware unless the manufacturer specifically recommended using it on a particular product.

Bottom line is, acetone is NASTY stuff; use the alcohol instead.

Arctic Silver is a real pain to remove; keep that in mind for the future. Lastly, AMD is THE authority about their own products, but if you want to use AS5 instead of a thermal pad, that is your decision. You know the consequences of voiding the warranty, and if you consider the use of AS5 to be an acceptable risk, the CPU Police aren't likely to be knocking down your door anytime soon.

 

Isoproponyl Alcohol (90%+) to use for cleaning of the base of the heatsink and the integrated heat spreader on top of the CPU. Heres a link from Artic Silver for cleaning the grease of properly, personally I used a tissue and Q tips the other day with the isopropnyl and took a couple of minutes it was very easy:

www.articsilver.com

I have to completely disagree with the "Voiding your Warranty" claim imo thats rubbish. Firstly how they going to possibly know you had AS5 on their in first place if your returning a cleaned CPU??

Secondly why would a company penalise if you "Improved upon Thermal Management"? My system had to go back to shop and they ripped ot those crappy pads and put on AS5, still under warranty.

AS5 runs circles around pads which can and will become very ineffective in a very short time.

 

OK, so you didn't get the jokes about voiding the warranty, and the CPU Police; I've used Arctic Silver on every single CPU I've installed since late 1999 / early 2000, which means I've put it on more than a thousand CPUs over the years without a problem.

Oh well, not a big deal; I'll hoist a beer for you tonight and try to make the next joke more obvious to everyone...

 

Actually, the use of any thermal material not approved by AMD can technically void the warranty. AMD only approves the use of TIM, or thermal pads. But yea, you're right, they aren't likely to find out if I use Arctic Silver. According to AMD Arctic Silver contains enough trace emounts of silver to potentially short out a cpu if some were to be applied incorrectly. IMO, as long as I don't glob the stuff on, it should be fine.

 

When you go to pull the heatsink off of the CPU...be gently!! While EASILY pulling upwards, rock it back and forth and combine a twisting action with it. It might take a little a few seconds for it to finally break loose, but just be patient and gentle with it!! Otherwise...you might pull the cpu right out of the socket with the heatsink, and that can damage the socket and/or the pins on the cpu!! I'm not saying it WILL cause damage, but it CAN!! I've had it happen to me and fortunately everything was fine!!!!

Good luck!!

Roger

 

Bold Eagle is certainly entitled to his opinion. But it won't count for beans if Kneebuz gets into a fight with AMD about the terms of the warranty. Quoting another party won't help Kneebuz to impress AMD in the slightest unless he can establish that the party quoted is an expert in the field.

And how would AMD know? First, lying to a supplier is rarely a good idea. If they catch you out, your credibility is shot, and you'll never get it back.

Secondly, see malware killer's posts in this thread. He's been around the mulberry bush a time or two. If he says that AS5 is difficult to remove, keep in mind that he's installed enough heatsinks to know the difference. Besides, AS5 is designed to fill in the micropores in the base of the heatsink and the surface of the CPU die. That makes complete removal a near impossibility short of extreme measures. If AMD checks carefully enough, they might find the traces you couldn't get at. Bye-bye warranty.

I'll cheerfully agree that AS5 does offer somewhat better thermal transfer -- when properly applied. That takes practice and experience to get consistency. malware killer and maybe Bold Eagle have that experience, but Kneebuz probably doesn't. I'd bet fairly long odds that AMD has taken its position on thermal pads because a pad is less likely to be installed improperly by an inexperienced user, and is less likely to cause other problems as a result of improper application. Pads provide safer and more consistent installation results in the hands of the retail consumer.