When adding thermal paste.....

[pc_boy]

When you add thermal paste to a CPU such as this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835126003

and the CPU has a thermal pad on there, do you just add this stuff around the pad, or do you HAVE to take out the pad off first, and then put this on?

 

[macdude425]

Do you mean the pad is a used one that needs to come off?

If so, take some rubbing alcohol mixed with water and VERY CAREFULLY remove the pad residue off the proc, after you've scraped most of it off with something not terribly sharp, like a credit card. Then make sure the proc is dry and put the thermal paste on it.

 

[Trifid]

The processor will be stuck onto the heatsink when you take it off. There isn't alot you can do to guarentee the CPU to stay in the socket, but run the PC for a while on full load (an hour or so.) and then quickly open the PC up, and slowly lift the heatsink off. If it doesn't come off (needs some force) than if you can open the lock on the CPU then do that, and take the processor off.

Make sure you lift upwards and not at a angle.