How to Clean a CPU?
How to Clean a CPU?
To clean the i5-3470 CPU on your Dell OptiPlex 3010, start with a gentle cleaning method using isopropyl alcohol and compressed air. For thermal paste, a high-quality PGA paste like Thermaltake or Mouser’s Super Thermal is recommended for optimal performance.
The ideal setup combines alcohol with a paper towel, followed by allowing it to dry completely before reuse. There are many thermal paste choices available, but for a standard CPU without overclocking, I wouldn’t opt for the most costly options. A good choice would be MX-4.
Clean the old paste using alcohol and toilet paper, then finish with a lint-free cloth such as MX-4 or NT-H1. The variation between a standard thermal paste and a premium one is minimal, so unless you're aiming for maximum performance from your CPU with overclocking (which isn't necessary for your 3470), it's not worthwhile to spend extra on thermal paste.