I bought an used CPU (Intel "Core 2" E4700) on eBay and it came with the underside dirty with something that seems it´s thermal paste.
Before I send it back, I wonder if it could it still work without cleaning this dirt because the seller supposedly "tested" it to be fully working.
Final, is there a way to clean this dirt without damaging the CPU? Or, is it too risky (or too much work) to do so?
This is the CPU:
Cleaning is definitely possible, I would take strict anti static procedures to ensure not damaging the CPU however. A clean soft sponge and a tiny bit of alcohol should be all you need, don't scrub hard or you could damage the sensitive contacts. I would contact the seller before performing this to see if they will replace it first or if they will replace if it doesn't work after cleaning.
Nice picture, it does look like thermal paste slopped all over in places where it would effect the connections, and mess-up the sockets own tiny little connection points if applied without cleaning.
I would not blame you if you did send it back, but so far I do not see anything that I have not done myself :-) From being sloppy and getting fingers all over it. It can be easily cleaned up. tech spray, 91-99% isoprople alcohol , and sometimes a clean brush can help to wisk that stuff away.
What's the proper way to remove thermal paste from a CPU?
I have even run one of these under the sink with dawn (dishwashing liquid original only) and water :-) Then followed up with a proper alcohol flush and complete drying.
Sure it isn't good at all, to have been sent to you like this, but cleaning it is easy, and if it works , that is what counts.
I ran into this some problem and made a YouTube video on how to clean the contacts of a CPU. I recently bought two Xeon CPUs off of eBay and the thermal paste got onto contact pads. In the video I used 91% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swaps to clean both the underside and top side. At the end I show as a proof of concept that the CPUs still work.
For contact cleaning use a matchstick (the non functioning end) dipped in Isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirit. Cloths, sponges and brushes risk leaving debris, a matchstick gives good scrubbing capability for stubbon elements without much risk of leaving debris.
