Nice picture, it does look like thermal paste slopped all over in places where it would effect the connections, and mess-up the sockets own tiny little connection points if applied without cleaning.
I would not blame you if you did send it back, but so far I do not see anything that I have not done myself :-) From being sloppy and getting fingers all over it. It can be easily cleaned up. tech spray, 91-99% isoprople alcohol , and sometimes a clean brush can help to wisk that stuff away.
What's the proper way to remove thermal paste from a CPU?
I have even run one of these under the sink with dawn (dishwashing liquid original only) and water :-) Then followed up with a proper alcohol flush and complete drying.
Sure it isn't good at all, to have been sent to you like this, but cleaning it is easy, and if it works , that is what counts.
-1 Your terminology is bad. Include a photo – barlop – 2014-06-01T00:30:42.107
3How about a suggestion before giving a -1? I´m going to include a screenshot – Karolinger – 2014-06-01T00:32:00.393
I agree that a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth that won't leave bits of paper or fabric behind should work fine. Just make sure it's dry before reinstalling!:-) – Ryan Griggs – 2014-06-01T02:48:55.527
1@RyanGriggs can I use a microfiber cloth, what type? – Karolinger – 2014-06-01T19:48:34.717
1Not sure about microfiber, never used it - if abrasive then don't use it. I agree with @mud - take antistatic precautions. A paper napkin might work if it doesn't leave bits behind. Thats what I usually use on the heat spreader side when removing thermal paste. Be very gentle - don't want to damage the pads! – Ryan Griggs – 2014-06-02T01:42:50.813
2You probably don't have to worry about the thermal paste on the small discrete components in the middle - it should be non-conductive, and they won't touch anything. Just the pads to avoid gumming up the lga socket and/or bad connection. I don't like q-tips for this type of work due to leaving threads of cotton behind. – Ryan Griggs – 2014-06-02T01:44:42.223
@RyanGriggs What do you think about using this instead of alcohol? http://amzn.to/1jKZPyU
– Karolinger – 2014-06-02T03:14:11.700My personal opinion is that this is way overkill vs a $1 bottle of rubbing alcohol for this tiny bit of thermal paste, but that's up to you. Also fwiw this doesn't say it's for connector pads but instead for the thermal surface. – Ryan Griggs – 2014-06-02T03:42:57.400
The issue is that high purity alcohol is really difficult to find here (almost impossible personally) – Karolinger – 2014-06-02T03:53:01.547