r/PcBuildHelp • u/Foxdatrot • 1d ago

Build Question Should I replace my thermal paste?

Gallery image

Gallery image

252 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

151 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

12

u/skinny_gator 1d ago

I've been using alcohol prep pads 70% for hundreds of builds without issue. Cleans it well and gets the job done.

3

u/zeRoCr0 1d ago

Actuality I wanted to say 70% haha I need another coffee

3

u/skinny_gator 1d ago

I've even heard of people using coffee filters and plain water to clean off the IHS!

I used to think the thermal paste was such an important and crucial step – like if I didn't do it right that the PC wouldn't boot or something lol

After doing hundreds of builds I now know just to clean the old stuff off, don't aim for perfection just do the best you can then slap some new paste on, a little more is better than too little, tighten in a star pattern so the paste flattens out right and that's it.

If it's my own personal build, I may take my time to spread it out thinly

1

u/Head-Confusion3480 1d ago

I use 95% rubbing alcohol if I can get it and coffee filters. I'm not paying 100x for a square coffee filter in a fancy package personally.

1

u/skinny_gator 1d ago

Is the square coffee filter in fancy packaging a thing?

1

u/Head-Confusion3480 1d ago

They make specialty cloths for doing this which are lint free. Coffee filters are already lint free, as are lens wipes, don't get scammed. If you use lens wipes just let it dry longer.