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I just put together a new system and now its randomly restarting. I applied a small amount of gel on the amd cpu dye and then placed the fan/heatsink on it. However after doing so i noticed the heatsink had "thermal interface material" on it already. I went ahead and booted the system assuming it wouldnt cause a major problem. After playing a "graphicly demanding game" for a few minutes the computer stuck and then restarted. Should i remove the fan and try to get rid of some of the gel? Or is it something unrelated? Any help would be appreciated =)!
Thanks

Welcome to PCHF,

simple answer, yes...you want to cover the whole of the die with as thin a paste as you can. Also, don't use you finger to do it - the oils in your finger don't mix too well with the thermal compound.

Thanks hengis,
How should i go about removing it?
Should i use rubbing alcohol and a paper tower?

Personally, I would use a soft lint-free cloth. Take care not to spread it off of the die!!

Im having some trouble removing the heatsink, the clip isnt coming of the lugs that easily. My previous computer had a 4-corner clip style fan, so im not very accustomed these. I understand putting to much pressure on it could crack the dye? Is there anything special i should be doing =X?

Is this a clip with only two connections? If it is, on one side there's a little space where you can insert the tip of a flat screwdriver, be very, very carefull, one slip and away goes your mobo. This has been, for me, the best way to remove thos heatsinks. Keep the pressure you put on the clip via the screwdriver, rising, untill you can slide the clip backwards and release it

A brief word of advice:
While you are working inside your computer, especially with chips, please be aware of the risk of ElectroStatic Discharge. I personally recommend the use of an anti-static wrist strap or at least discharge yourself for a few minutes by touching a grounded metal rod (the antennae of a plugged-in boom box is good).