Thermal Paste on the Mobo Pins

[davidkozat]

So long story short... I got a new Motherboard OEM Gigabyte X79-UD5 and before install the CPU I found myself looking at this... The pins on the mobo have thermal paste on it... and I find myself in a predicament... am not sure how I would remove it.. I do have Arcticlean, which is what I use to clean thermal paste with... but never clean that part of the mobo first... not sure if trying cleaning it, or just send it back... am sure the pins are very delicate... so I dont know what to do... Help appreciated..





PS caught between wanting to clean it so I can use it already... or returning so I dont blow the mobo or CPU.

[hersounds]

2 things bro -------- 1- compressed air spray or 2 - use air compressor if you can

[Dumo]

Something like these will help http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-cleaner-4153 and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wynns-10679-.../dp/B003G2SHF4

[davidkozat]

If I use a Air-Compressor am scare ill just spread it around the mobo... so Ill try to isolate the pins and rap the rest of the mobo... :$ Ill let you guys know...

[AMDforME]

It the TIM you are using is non-electro conducting then the TIM cleaner or electrical contact cleaner and compressed air should do the trick. If however the TIM you are using is electro conducting you're going to need to get every spec of the TIM off or you could fry the CPU/mobo.

BTW, I don't know that there is anyone to "return" it to as this issue would not be a warranty issue.

[davidkozat]

Thats my predicament am pretty sure its silver paste, which IS conductive... so like AMDforME said ill end up frying the CPU and Mobo... this Mobo is OEM, and its how it arrived so Ill be calling Overclokers.co.uk tomorrow as they have 90 returned policy I have just notices than the CPU protector is like this!




Defiantly expecting my money back.

[ZenEffect]

send it back.

[Ivanlabrie]

Dishwasher...seriously.
Let it dry, use a hair dryer afterwards and isopropyl or something and you're good to go. (remove the cmos battery before washing it)
Or just send it back.

[felix_w]

A toothbruch maybe ? As long as you keep the moves in the "gentle" range..

Or any other brush with soft hair...you can moist the tip first in isopropyl

[jcniest5]

A toothbruch maybe ? As long as you keep the moves in the "gentle" range..

Or any other brush with soft hair...you can moist the tip first in isopropyl

Big mistake if you ever try this method. The pins are super fragile, they bend at the slightest touch, even a hair snag will bend a pin. Spray some goop remover on it, then use compress air, blow it out. If that doesn't work, perhaps super fine piece of clothe, using the super fine tip of a blade? Just barely touch the thermal paste to clean it.

[Zeus]

Whatever you do, DON'T touch the pins, they're fragile beyond belief. Just return the board.

[davidkozat]

Just called Overclockers, and he explain how RMA does NOT cover pin damage or thermal paste problems... so I explained politely that the mobo sold to us us OEM, and had been previously used (Guess) and had thermal paste all over mobo and CPU pins.... and didnt wanna risk shorting it.. Ill let you know guys what happen after I send it back today.

[Ivanlabrie]

Good luck man! I hate when they don't cover pin related stuff, those suckers tend to screw up easily.
If not the washing machine method works eh: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...d.php?t=726834

[Splave]

I got TIM in my z77 socket, more then you have. Used air compressor to blow it down into the little pin sockets. It wont damage anything there, what will damage things is if you are shorting two together. Been using it this way for months now with multiple CPU's and no issues. Its still visible on the socket.

[xytrius]

Wait, the dishwasher solution is amateur theater.

This is not complicated. You just need a good quality clean spray gun loaded with ispropyl alcohol and a magnifying glass.

First practice with the spray pressure on the gun, and once set spray isopropyl alcohol to dissolve/blow away the paste. The gun should be fine pointed with good pressure.

See if you can get 99% isopropyl; if you cannot buy online, the local university chemistry department can probably help.

Just make sure everything is clean. Keep the board horizontal.

[Ivanlabrie]

Dishwasher was meant for vaseline actually...but it should apply here :p
I hate lga sockets, those pins are so fragile :/

[davidkozat]

Thanks for your suggestions are answer guys. I appreciate all your answers, Ill be returning it to overclockers lets see what happens.

[Ivanlabrie]

Good luck!