Thermal paste is responsible for conducting heat from the processor to the heat sink. Reassembling a computer without applying thermal paste may cause the processor to overheat, resulting in permanent damage. Before applying a coat of thermal paste, you must first remove any old thermal paste from both the processor surface and the heat sink. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s3987 Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off as much solidified thermal paste from the copper core(s) of the heat sink as possible. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4025 Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off as much solidified thermal paste from the copper core(s) of the heat sink as possible. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4025 After scraping off the solidified thermal paste, a residue is still present on the copper cores(s). /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4026 Use paper towels and mild solvent to clean the thermal paste residue off the copper core(s). Allow the core(s) to dry completely! We use Goof Off 2 to clean the thermal paste residue. Alternatively you can use rubbing alcohol or even a bit of soap and water. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4027 Use paper towels and mild solvent to clean the thermal paste residue off the copper core(s). Allow the core(s) to dry completely! We use Goof Off 2 to clean the thermal paste residue. Alternatively you can use rubbing alcohol or even a bit of soap and water. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4027 Use the flat end of a plastic spudger to remove any solidified thermal paste from the surface of the processor(s). Do not use any metal objects for this procedure. Be careful not to break any components on the processor's surface. /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4029 Use paper towels and mild solvent to remove any thermal paste residue from the surface of the processor(s). Allow the processor(s) to dry completely! /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4030 Use paper towels and mild solvent to remove any thermal paste residue from the surface of the processor(s). Allow the processor(s) to dry completely! /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4030 Wrap the tip of your index finger with a piece of plastic (such as a sandwich bag or Saran wrap). Dispense a very small amount of thermal paste onto processor core(s). Use your finger to gently smear the thermal paste over the entire processor core(s). If you accidentally apply a small amount of thermal paste on the green surface of the processor, it will not cause any harm. The processor(s) is now ready for heat sink installation. You do not need to apply any thermal paste on the heat sink(s). /Guide/Applying-Thermal-Paste/744/all#s4032