MP 1,1-5,1 cMP 5,1 XEON CPU swap - effect of stickers on bottom of X5675

[zedex]

I'm irritated by this "discovery" - please see picture..

Can one of our more experienced contributors (@tsialex / @JedNZ / @MisterAndrew / @cdf / @edgerider ) confirm that these stickers MUST BE REMOVED prior to completing the installation (replacement of older XEONs) and applying thermal paste on top side + heatsink.

Also - any clever advice on safest way to remove "stickier than average" stickers from this sensitive section of the CPU.

All constructive advice deeply appreciated.. cheers ZX

 

[tsialex]

I'm irritated by this "discovery" - please see picture..
View attachment 901667

Can one of our more experienced contributors (@tsialex / @JedNZ / @MisterAndrew / @cdf / @edgerider ) confirm that these stickers MUST BE REMOVED prior to completing the installation (replacement of older XEONs) and applying thermal paste on top side + heatsink.

Also - any clever advice on safest way to remove "stickier than average" stickers from this sensitive section of the CPU.

All constructive advice deeply appreciated.. cheers ZX

Don't remove it immediately, check if it works before.

This is the best location that a seller can install a warranty sticker, won't cause any problems with heat transfer to the heatsink. After thoroughly tested, remove the warranty stickers with some glue solvent, don't use any force.

 

[zedex]

perfect - thanks @tsialex

 

[h9826790]

That's very normal for used CPU from China. Every single CPU I brought has sticker at there. No need to touch them at all. And better not to touch them if you don't know how to remove them properly.

 

[zedex]

thank you @h9826790 - that's the kind of reassurance I'm looking for

 

[tsialex]

I really really hate stickers over/under CPUs, but I only remove it after months of using the processors, usually when I do my seasonal thoroughly cleaning. I just let the CPU over some solvent that don't attack the epoxy PCB for half an hour and the sticker slowly dissolves with the gentle help of a brush.

Anyway, sticker under the CPU over the capacitor plane area won't cause any problems.

 

[Snow Tiger]

I really hate stickers , too , on components .

It should not cause a problem , although the silicon will heat up to around 80 C at load and might begin to denature the cheap adhesive over time . So , there is a potential short issue .

First thing you should do before installing used silicon is to clean it thoroughly with higher purity isopropyl alcohol ( 91 - 100 % ) placed on a cotton tipped , wooden stick swab . Clean both sides of the processors , except for those stickers in case you need to return them . Alcohol evaporates quickly , unlike water .

Once you are satisfied with the quality after doing some burn ins over a few days , remove the silicon and remove those stickers . Dab them with alcohol to soften them up and gently pull them away with a stainless steel tweezer . Then clean the capacitor plane area with fresh alcohol on cotton swabs to remove any other residue .

With my really expensive used silicon , I take high res photos or use an USB microscope to examine the gold lands to verify the connectors are free of particulate contamination ( used thermal paste , etc ) after cleaning . You don't want to damage a CPU socket or prevent a proper seating .

 

[foliovision]

Thanks for the original question, zedex, and all the useful advice, alex, h9826790, snow tiger.

I really really hate stickers over/under CPUs, but I only remove it after months of using the processors, usually when I do my seasonal thoroughly cleaning. I just let the CPU over some solvent that don't attack the epoxy PCB for half an hour and the sticker slowly dissolves with the gentle help of a brush.

I'm in the same boat with a pair of X5675 (stepping down from X5680 to reduce fan noise at high load, via lower TDP). You mention "some solvent that doesn't attack the epoxy PCB". What would that include? I have some ArticClean Thermal Material Remover 1 & 2 on hand.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks for the original question, zedex, and all the useful advice, alex, h9826790, snow tiger.



I'm in the same boat with a pair of X5675 (stepping down from X5680 to reduce fan noise at high load, via lower TDP). You mention "some solvent that doesn't attack the epoxy PCB". What would that include? I have some ArticClean Thermal Material Remover 1 & 2 on hand.

Paint strippers/removers/thinners remove the stickers easily, almost instantly, but since every country has different rules for this type of chemical product, what works for me maybe won't for you.

I usually test on an old CPU, dropping a little over and letting it dry, if nothing is damaged then I use it. Here paint thinners work fine without removing the epoxy from the CPU PCB or damaging the SMD components.

Btw, some oil glue/stickies removal products like GooGone, damage the epoxy even removing the solder mask.

 

[foliovision]

That's the issue Alex, I need to know what won't damage the CPU. If you were able to name several brands and products in the paint thinner area, including their chemical makeup when that's clear, it would make it much easier. I don't have extra CPU with the stickers on them to test against.

I'm in Europe (Austria/Slovakia) so I may very well have some of the same brands in the stores here which you do.