Switching from AS3 to ceramique

I have an slk-800, with a 53cfm mechtronics fan blowing on it (soon to be smart fan 2). I applied AS3 to the cpu and heatsink about 4 months ago, and now I am getting some Arctic Silver Ceramique. It's cheap and every degree will make a difference this summer

What I need to know is, how do I completely get the AS3 off my heatsink and cpu core. I usually use a q-tip dipped in alchohol, but with the little silver compounds stuck in the gaps off the heatsink, will it still be fine?

In the review on www.gruntville.com, they reported a 1-3C difference with the ceramique vs AS3, so I think it will be worth it

Alcohol (it better not be Coors ^^) should do the trick. If you rub it off well, then what tiny amount, if any, of AS3 left should have a negligible effect on your cooling, if any.

If you haven't already purchased the Ceramique, I would suggest you pick up some Shin-Etsu instead, if you can find it. G571 is the newest stuff they have on the market (they've also got some prototype stuff floating around), and it supposedly *kills* anything AS can throw at it, including Ceramique and AS3. Can't say for certain myself, as my syringe hasn't come in yet, but I've heard very good things about it. Your mileage may vary..

And if you've got the Ceramique already, don't worry, that's good stuff too..

Thanks for the reply Vertig0 Nope didn't order the ceramique yet, was planning on doing it tonight. Got any links to reviews on Shin-Etsu,
or any stores that sell it? I was going to just pick up some ceramique from www.svc.com for the cheap price and free shipping, I am also ordering some SM 2 fans from them.

Nail polish remover works good.

Vertig0, G571 has been around for absolutly ages. there is nothing new about it and it honestly doesnt do any better than as3.
http://www.overclockers.com/articles660/
test date:11/28/02

If you really want to get rid of any AS3 residue left, you need to sand it away (i.e. re-lap your HS and CPU). Probably not worth it.

james.miller said:

Vertig0, G571 has been around for absolutly ages. there is nothing new about it and it honestly doesnt do any better than as3.
http://www.overclockers.com/articles660/
test date:11/28/02

Click to expand...

Didn't know it had been around for that long... I was only recently introduced to it. By the way, that review does not do the product any justice. According to Shin-Etsu engineers, the product may take several days to settle, depending on usage. That review only spent 8 hours on it.

And now, some backup..

http://www.insideproject.com/showreview.cfm?reviewid=81
http://www.meetthegeeks.org/ourreview/2002/shinetsu/
http://www.ocprices.com/index.php?rev_id=128&cat_id=68

If they've got flawed testing methodologies or anything, please advise... However, I don't think they had anything there that was glaringly wrong.

The boys over at amdmb.com have got a firesale going on in their forums... Someone did a group buy of the product for forum members - 100 syringes. So we should all have some real world test feedback real soon, as the syringes are set to arrive any day.

To completely remove AS3 I usually use Kleenex tissues. First, I wipe off as much as I can with cotton and q-tips and alcohol. Then I use the kleenex with a little bit of alcohol and give the surface a firm rub. It usually takes me a few tissues and a few minutes to get it all off. Well, not always, it just depends on the surface.

After using the tissue, I use a can of compressed air to get anything that's left off.

I use lighter fluid to clean off the AS3 from the surface of the CPU and HS. I always relap my HS too, doesn't have to be a big production, just a few minutes at a high grit (I usually use 800) to get out any TIM that's been worked into HS cpu and to smooth it out again.