It is safe to keep the glue residues on the motherboard that had a backplate

This might seem a stupid question but i just want to be sure.

Some cooler have a backplate with sticky (really sticky!) edge on back of them in order to stick it on the motherboard. I removed mine with a lots of force but at least i removed it.

However, there are some left glue residues on the motherboard.. that would be pain to remove ! personnally i don't really care if they are keep there but it is safe ?

http://cdn.overclock.net/0/0d/600x450px-LL-0dba8363_Pic1.jpeg (sorry the integrated pic fonction seemed to not work i can't see the pic otherwise)

backplate risidues

Rushino

Posted 2012-06-29T13:14:28.140

Reputation: 574

Answers

Adhesives generally used for this are non-conductive and non-corrosive, so leaving it on is fine.

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams

Posted 2012-06-29T13:14:28.140

Reputation: 100 516

If having the glue connect the motherboard to a big conductive plate wasn't a problem, the glue by itself won't be a problem either.

Ben Voigt

Posted 2012-06-29T13:14:28.140

Reputation: 6 052

It looks a lot like typical double sided tape. The portion in question looks like the X shaped mechanical support, rather than a heat sink unit. I'm rather doubtful that it would make a difference to do with heat transfer to the motherboard, or any other cooling relatd process. I do worry it would be a dust magnet, which would be bad.

If you do want to remove it, you can probably very gently loosen it up with a lit free cloth and isopryl alcohol. Rub to 'roll' it into a larger wad, and periodically remove it.

Journeyman Geek

Posted 2012-06-29T13:14:28.140

Reputation: 119 122

Tried.. trust me lol anyway i prefer to lets it there since there another backplate going on so it doesn't matter i guess. – Rushino – 2012-06-29T13:56:06.610

better than alcohol is carburetor cleaner. It takes that glue right off and evaporates instantly. Small amounts will do no harm to your mobo, just don't soak the thing down. – Lee Harrison – 2012-06-29T15:06:17.530

Well, i trust rubbing alcohol and elbow grease to do nothing. Nail polish remover to me, is the next step up. Never used carburetor cleaner before. – Journeyman Geek – 2012-06-29T15:08:10.180