How to clean thermal grease.

[Ted]

What can i use to clean the thermal grease off my CPU and heat sink? also, whats the difference between thermal grease and thermal compound.

[shadowpr]

I used rubbing alcohol on a q-tip.

I believe paste and compound are the same thing.

[flanzig1]

Thermal compound is kind of a general term for the different types of thermal compounds. You have the thermal paste, thermal pads(thicker paste that is preformed), thermal tape, and there are some exotic stuff that is liquid.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ted also, whats the difference between thermal grease and thermal compound.

No real difference, they both refer to the same thing. Thermal paste is the same thing too.

Cricket

[Panama Red]

I used to use Rubbing Alcohol on a cotton ball or cotton pad after wiping the main residue off with a facial tissue. However, I switched to something much better that I keep in the garage - carburetor cleaner. That's right, good ol' Gumout carb cleaner. Don't use it in the house tho! Nasty stuff! Just spray a little on a paper towel and it removes the most stubborn thermal compound from your cpu and the heat sink. And it's one of the recommended items listed at the Arctic Silver site.