Applying Arctic/Thermal?

[5atanic]

I have recently used a Barton 2500+ with its stock HSF cooling and thermal pad.. I'm looking forward to upgrading my fan and using a Thermal Compound most likely AS5. Do I need to clean the CPU core? If I do, how do I clean it (I don't seem to have one of those glasses cloth material)?

Its slightly tinted from my previous use with the thermal pad.. sorry it's kinda my first time doing tis round.. so I just started to gather info

[Dax_Brandy]

scrape the thermal pad carefully then clean the surface before applying the compound. remember that the amount of compound is also critical. not too much and not too thin. i've seen some guys do it. just make sure you are properly grounded to avoid ESD.

[JayMan]

Give the CPU core a good clean with some isopropyl alchohol & a Qtip.

JayMan

[JohnE.]

Very good instructions on the Arctic Silver home page. Hey, they even updated the site since I was last there

As Dax_Brandy said, be extremely careful removing the thermal pad... heat sinks scratch very easily - I've done it