My friend mentioned that I have to use isopropyl alcohol to clean off the old thermal paste before applying new paste. He says that any residue could lead to overheating. I've never changed thermal paste myself, so I'm unsure if this is true. I don't have any isopropyl alcohol and I'm hesitant to spend extra money if it's just going to make a 1-2°C difference. Plus, it's been years since I've changed the paste, so I doubt there's much left on the CPU.
4 Answers
You don’t have to stress about it. A little leftover thermal paste isn’t going to overheat your CPU. Just get the majority off, and you should be fine.
Honestly, I just use a dry tissue to clean mine. It works just fine! While alcohol can make it easier, it’s not essential. You'll be okay without it.
I’d avoid water altogether. It can still cause issues even if you’re careful, better to just stick with dry methods!
Actually, it’s a common misconception that bits of thermal paste will overheat your CPU. Just ensure that the new paste is applied properly. Over-wetting with anything like water isn't a good idea, though. Stick to dry tissue!
What about using regular water? If I’m careful and avoid the motherboard, could that work?