▷ How to clean heatsink correctly 【step by step】

Tools that we are going to use

Before we start rooting our heatsink, we will have to look at different tools that we will need to carry out the entire process. Except for a couple, they are utensils that we can find at home.

We will propose different solutions so that you have no excuse and leave that heatsink whose function is essential once and for all.

Let's clean the heatsink!

Thief

I always recommend a universal screwdriver because it gives us more play when changing the size of the screw notch. If you do not have a universal screwdriver, you will need a small pointed Phillips screwdriver.

If you don't have a Phillips screwdriver either, you can use scissors. Be careful with the use of scissors because they can damage the notch of the screw or you can hurt yourself by force.

Chopsticks

Blessed chopsticks! We will need them to remove the stuck and solidified dust from the heatsink. You will see how, sometimes, it is not enough with a brush, so a toothpick fits between the slits of the metal part of the heatsink.

It is not an ultra necessary utensil. Personally, I have cleaned my heatsink without using chopsticks, so we are not going to miss them in the vast majority of occasions. With that said, I always recommend using it to clean heatsink.

Compressed air

We don't usually find this tool at home, so we have to buy it. Don't panic! At Amazon we find several very cheap models for 5 or 7 euros, although there are much cheaper products.

The compressed air will help us to expel the solid dust that sticks to the heatsink or to the fans. Be careful with the fans! Then we will explain well how to use this utensil.

Alcohol or wipes

We cannot use the typical alcohol that is in the kits or disinfecting wet wipes to clean the sink well. We have to use Isopropanol Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol. In addition, we will need this to clean the thermal paste of the processor and the heatsink, so it is a product that you can not miss in your team.

If there is no alcohol, you can use makeup remover wipes, wipes to clean the glasses or baby wipes . Of course, if you are going to use this, theirs is that you dry it with kitchen paper later. But it can leave residues.

Brushes

Finally, the brushes. In my experience, they are the best for removing surface dust because their fibers get into the ins and outs of the components without damaging anything. If you don't have a brush, buy one from the Chinese or from a nearby stationery store. They are very cheap and effective against heatsink dirt.

Clean heatsink

With all the tools in our possession, we can only get down to work with this component. Do not be scared if you see that it has a lot of dust because, at least the superficial one, it is easy to remove.

Before we begin, I would like to warn those who are allergic to dust because in this process we will be in continuous contact with it.

Disassemble motherboard

We know that this first step will not appeal to many, but it is the most comfortable and safe way of working. Make sure you remove all the connections and all the screws that are anchored to the box.

The best thing you can do is remove the components one by one first. You do not need to remove the heatsink, we will do that when we remove the motherboard. Think that it is not only to clean the surface, we have to change the thermal paste as well.

Advice! If you are a little confused, take a photo inside the PC before removing anything to know which cables you have to connect, as well as which ones you don't.

Clean box

With the motherboard removed, we can work on the box. We do this to remove all the dust that is there and that can go back to our heatsink. Give your box with compressed air to make it dust-free. IMPORTANT: do not give directly to the components, nor to the fans.

If we hit a fan too closely, we can damage the fan, so use a safe distance.

Disassemble and clean the fans

Normally, the heatsink fans are usually a piece of plastic that is held under pressure by a kind of flange that grips on the side. I always use my hands, but you can use something to make a kind of lever and remove the tabs, like a toothpick or a screwdriver. In my case, I do it with my hands so as not to break anything, nor to put too much pressure.

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When we have them disassembled, we will make a first pass with the brush. Use it briskly and you win because, depending on the conditions, you may not need to use compressed air.

On the other hand, if you have been workers and the dust still does not come out, we will use compressed air. Our tips are these:

Keep a safe distance from the fans. About 15 centimeters between the utensil and the heatsink will do. Do not blow continuously, let the air run a little.

Clean heatsink board

Here we are going to use brushes and compressed air. Just as before, we will give a first pass with the brush to remove the rest of the dust. There will be very solid remains to remove them in this way, so we will use compressed air. Try using toothpicks to unclog the slits of all dust obstructions.

In this case, no prudential distance must be kept: the priority objective is to clean it like a whistle. Therefore, you can give it with compressed air quietly.

Remove heatsink and replace thermal paste

In case you have put new thermal paste in the last 6 months, you do not have to do this step. However, if you haven't changed it for a while, you need to replace it with a new one because the processor temperature can be reduced quite a bit.

Once started, we remove the heatsink and we will take alcohol or some wet wipe to remove all that solidified paste. Yours is to use some pads with a specific alcohol like the ones that come with the new heatsinks in their box.

We just have to rub a little bit and it will come out. We take a piece of kitchen or toilet paper, dry everything well and put the thermal paste again.

Reassemble and everything is ready

Finally, we will only have to assemble everything again and enjoy our clean heatsink. Check with HWMonitor if the temperatures are going well to know if the installation has gone correctly.

Our guide ends here. We hope you liked this guide and, above all, that it has helped you clean your heatsinks. As you can see, it is not a complicated task and can be carried out with anything we have at home.

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How do you clean the heatsink? Have you ever cleaned one? Some experience?