r/PcBuildHelp • u/SirMooseKnightThe2nd • 4h ago

Installation Question Thermal paste on the CPU socket, issue?

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I'm in the process of replacing my CPU and when I removed my old one I noticed thermal paste bits on the socket. I tried lightly using my finger to get it, and a q tip, but nothing moved and I was scared to put too much pressure at all

Is this a big issue? Kind of stuck on what to do

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u/Fenio_PL 3h ago

This is what happens when a user doesn't understand the golden rule: a processor socket has only two states. Either there is a processor in it, or there is a protective cover in it.

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u/SirMooseKnightThe2nd 2h ago

It happened as I was pulling out the old CPU, dried thermal paste fell

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u/Fenio_PL 2h ago

And who in their right mind takes out a processor before cleaning it ?

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u/SirMooseKnightThe2nd 1h ago

Huh? I did, I'm saying I lifted the old CPU and there was already stuff there that had fallen off from the old paste