I recently purchased a pre-built PC, and upon unboxing, I noticed a shiny metal substance along with some black smudges in a few areas. The black marks are mostly on the exterior of the case. Specifically, I found the metal in three spots: above the motherboard power cable on the rubber, a tiny spot on the GPU fan (the side that faces down), and another splatter near the PCIe slot where the GPU connects. I'm concerned because this metal looks like solder, and I have no idea how it got there or if it's safe. I'm eager to power it on and test everything, but I'm worried about the presence of this metal. Any thoughts on what it might be?
3 Answers
Yep, looks like liquid metal thermal paste. It can spill everywhere if not applied correctly. Just a heads up - this stuff isn't good for your skin, so be careful when cleaning it up. Use a tissue or a cotton swab, and make sure to wash your hands afterwards. It's important to remove it completely to avoid any damage when you turn the system on.
That definitely looks like liquid metal. This usually happens if they used it as thermal paste and it leaked during shipping. It's conductive, which could cause electrical shorts, so I really wouldn't recommend powering it on until it's cleaned up properly. If possible, consider returning it for a replacement.
What could cause that to happen, though? Is it just the way it was packed?
This is probably gallium, a key ingredient in liquid metal thermal paste. It's very effective for thermal performance but extremely reactive with aluminum. Thus, if too much was used and it's not cleaned up, it can cause shorts and even damage your components. Definitely ask for a refund if you can, as this mess indicates they didn't apply it properly at all.
What if it did get on the board? Should I be worried?