| Otakumegane said: Should I take the CPU out of the socket? |
You don't have to, but if you're new to it, then I advise you do! Last thing you want is the cleaning fluid or thermal compound on other components in your case.
I personally just use rubbing alcohol and some lint-free cloth.
Arctic Silver also has thermal-paste cleaning stuff too, which you should be able to get at any decent computer store worth it's salt.
After it's clean and dried, whack on a some thermal paste (Usually use Arctic Silver), about the size of a pea is all you need and spread it around with the side of a credit card, whack on the new cooler and bobs-your-uncle.
There is also a "curing" period, where it takes awhile for the compound to get into all the imperfections of the heatspreader and heatsink, which can take a few days or even a few weeks, after which you will have optimal heat transferance between the heat spreader and heatsink.
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