I'm trying to install my first CPU, and I thought the thermal paste was like a "buffer"...the more you put on, the better it is.

Ok...I'm a dunce. I put QUITE a lot on, and when I went to look online I saw that people were saying, "just a dab."

Oops.

Now I can't get the CPU off to scrape some off. Do I wait for it to dry and try again? Or is it ok that I used a bunch?

Help?

In general an uncooked grain of rice is the size you should use.

This site has instructions plus a cleaning fluid:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm.

Not knowing/seeing your situation it is hard to tell what to do.

Are you having any problems? Or are you just aware that you used too much?

I haven't turned it on...the manual that came with the new motherboard is a little sparse, so I wanted to make sure I had all the connectors in the correct places. That's when i saw the "just a bit" about the thermal paste.

Now I can't get it off. It's like it's suctioned on. I'm afraid to yank it too hard, but if I leave all that paste on, will it be a bad thing?

Thanks for the quick reply...I am useless with CPUs.

EDIT

Ok...I got it off...WAY too much paste. But I have another question -

Is it ok if a little paste got inside the pin receptors?

I would suggest reading the above link. Did you use CPU grease or adhesive?

Grease will never dry. Adhesive of course will.

I don't see how anything could be furthered in a worse way by just trying it as is.

Originally Posted by daphne

But I have another question -

Is it ok if a little paste got inside the pin receptors?

I would clean it up. Yes.

Getting a product such as ArtiClean would be best. Next would be alcohol and a lot of patience.

Perhaps firm dental floss with alcohol.

Thanks again for your rescue. I've cleaned most of it up, but I'm anxious to see if the new motherboard will fix my problem so it will stay messy until the shops open tomorrow.

Cross your fingers for me!