Quote:
...buying a time
I don't follow...?
Trust me (among other things I am a PC Technician) the CPU doesn't really get handled.
You just have to take off your computer's cover.
Bring the vacuum; the little pointy attachment was made for computers. The insides must be vacuumed maybe once a year.
Remove the whole CPU cooler/fan assembly. If AMD it's probably the spring-clip thing, you need a smallish blade straight screwdriver with a long handle.
The memory chip(s) must be removed on some PCs to remove the CPU cooler safely (safe for the memory chips, LoL)
On the very most intelligent mobo designs, graphics board must be removed to remove memory chip(s).
Your CPU will be exposed.
Most of the surface preparation is performed on the bottom of the cooler. Let us know whether you get gluey plastic stuff, white chalky stuff, tinfoil or ?
Clean it until it is very clean & smooth, as discussed. Hot water is yer pal (better remove fan first, LoL)
Polish it.
The CPU half of the mating operation is delicate.
Whenever you are inside your case, even just vacuuming around your power supply, you need to be aware of static electricity.
Grounding-straps are great, but in residential you probably need a 50' strap to reach a copper water supply pipe to ground...
So just be aware, touch the metal case with both hands before reaching inside. Don't fluff the cat or whatever when you're inside the PC, common-sense stuff :-)
So touch the metal case with one hand, and clean the CPU with the other.
Just worry about the little rectangle in the centre, make sure there are no little chunks of whatever stuck to it.
I use a little linen cloth, with a spot damp with lighter fluid, if there is gluey stuff on the CPU.
Don't put liquid on the CPU.
The CPU is fine don't worry, it's still inserted in the motherboard and most of your work is to be found on the cooler ;-)
Get your Artic Silver and put a little blob on the cooler bottom, right where it needs to be.
Clean up the tip of the Silver tube on the CPU before you put the cap back on.
Rub it in a bit. You will have Toxic Silver Finger; wash your hands after you replace the cooler assembly.
There you go, not so tough.
I'll give you 5C for vacuuming the case, PS and all the fans, and optimizing cabling for airflow. The CPU fan is more than vacuumed, it's cleaned with a dry toothbrush or replaced.
5C there and another 10C from the Arctic Silver job.
I'm predicting a 5C drop in case temperature and up to 15C CPU temperature.
When you shutdown and restart the next day, then will you realize the lowest temperatures.
Note: if you release the springclip and the cooler won't come off, be gentle. Don't lift up at all or even rock side-to-side. Rotate slightly CW and CCW as seen from above, carefully.
If you release the springclip and yank the cooler, the CPU might come out, stuck to the bottom of the cooler. This is to be avoided :-)
Never fear, we'll get your PC running 100%
-or better!
