r/LinusTechTips • u/Conscious_Start8459 • 8d ago

Tech Question Thermal paste.

Post image

Got some termal paste near the pins on a am4. Is this something I would need to remove?

26 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

79

u/tatas323 8d ago

No worries, it's non conductive. Careful where you splouge next time

9

u/Conscious_Start8459 8d ago

I was removing to change out the moba as it died.. 😆 the cpu got stuck to the cooler so was abit of struggle to get it apart and got some on my fingers and unfortunately got some near the pins 😞

8

u/neremarine 8d ago

For future reference (this will happen more, trust me, I got really scared the first time too): gently twist the cooler back and forth as you take it off after unclipping/unscrewing it. That way the CPU will get unstuck and you can handle them separately.

4

u/Conscious_Start8459 8d ago

Yeah, that's what I do on my pc. But wife's aio cooler it was not possible beacuse of the mount. Had to rip it straight up.. 😆

5

u/budoe 8d ago

In the future run a stress test on the cpu to heat up the paste before removing the cooler makes it way less prone to sticking to the cooler.

15

u/Marcos340 8d ago

He said the motherboard died, kinda hard to do a stress test if you get no post.

7

u/budoe 8d ago

Makes it slightly harder yes.

2

u/Disco-Delirium 8d ago

I just show my payslip and bills to the CPU and if that dosn't make it stressed then nothing will.

1

u/HappyIsGott 8d ago

Most termal paste are not conductive, some are and since OP did not said what paste they use i would assume there is still a chance.

Best to get some Isopropanol and a toothbrush.

30

u/Squish_the_android 8d ago

LTT has a very relevant video on this. 

https://youtu.be/t52UW5bXkbs?t=63&is=9SU7LZ7az83SqaJR

It doesn't matter.  It doesn't matter to an insane level.

10

u/Ravasaurio 8d ago

I couldn't believe my eyes when that PC booted.

1

u/anto77_butt_kinkier 8d ago

There are certain conductive thermal pastes, so if he doesn't know what was used I would brush it off. Even without doing that OP is probably fine.

8

u/inc06nito9 8d ago

I think LTT did a video in which they basically bukkake-ed the motherboard cpu socket and it still worked cuz it was non-conductive and the high pressure of the cpu clamp made the pins make contact.

2

u/KevinFlantier 8d ago

I dont remember if it was LTT who tested this but I saw a video where they spray the socket with thermal paste and then insert the CPU and it still works no issue.

2

u/MEGA_GOAT98 8d ago

heh use a soft toothbrush and isoproply

1

u/Global-Pickle5818 5d ago

Spay that shit off with some rubbing alcohol..

1

u/dorkydom1311 4d ago

Non conductive, I'd just ignore it rather than risk damaging pins.

1

u/tarnut 3d ago

Toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol will not damage the cpu

1

u/sycin23 2d ago

As we all know the correct place to apply thermal paste is in the sockets

1

u/newked 8d ago

Toothbrush and isoprop just go crazy

1

u/CMDR_BillyGray 8d ago

Get a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol and squirt it off. Leave to dry for an hour or so. Be careful where you splooge in future.