CPU Thermal paste clean solution

[teoconca]

I am about to replce my stock heatsink and fan with Scyth Katana III one. Wondering if I buy and can use rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol from Shoppers Drug Mart? Are they different? Which one is better? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[arclite]

Isopropyl 97%-99%.

[chinesedevil]

Isopropyl 97%-99%.

^. That. Isopropanol high %age will tear through any oily substance including thermal paste. Don't use 70%, use 90+% when possible. You don't want to damage your comp with water.

[Wingding]

I am about to replce my stock heatsink and fan with Scyth Katana III one. Wondering if I buy and can use rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol from Shoppers Drug Mart? Are they different? Which one is better? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Actually I went through this exercise the other day and discovered that what is being sold as rubbing alcohol these days in Canada is no longer isopropyl at all, but anhydrous ethanol with a bunch of other crap added. So stay away altogether from products called "Rubbing Alcohol" for electronics use. You want to buy something that specifically says "Isopropyl alcohol 99% USP."

[DougO]

Works for me:

[xalex0]

rubbing alcohol these days in Canada is no longer isopropyl at all, but anhydrous ethanol with a bunch of other crap added. So stay away altogether from products called "Rubbing Alcohol" for electronics use.

I doubt that a little bit of acetone or methyl isobutyl ketone will do any harm.

[teoconca]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I bought the Isopropyl alcohol 99% USP from Rexall (500ml). Too bad it does not come in a smaller size. I will try it this weekend.

[Wingding]

I doubt that a little bit of acetone or methyl isobutyl ketone will do any harm.

It's not acetone. It's "denatonium benzoate, diethyl phthalate, and camphor". (And since when does acetone not do any harm? Do you know what it does to many plastics?)

Anyway, the new ethanol-based formulation of rubbing alcohol leaves a very definite greasy white film on any inanimate objects you use it on, so stay the heck away from it!

[rabbit]

> I bought the Isopropyl alcohol 99% USP from Rexall (500ml). Too bad it does not come in a smaller size.

It comes in handy for removing sticker residue, or for removing permanent marker ink (both from non-paper surfaces, or course). Also good for wiping the keyboard/remote_control if someone with slimey hands uses it .