Bigbruin.com
Home :: Reviews & Articles ::
Forum :: Info :: :: Facebook :: Youtube :: RSS Feed
Search  :: Register :: Log in
Heatsink Lapping Guide
Go To Page 1, 2, 3  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bigbruin.com Forum Index -> Articles
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Doctor Feelgood
Arrrrghh!


Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 20349
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 12:29:13    Post Subject: Heatsink Lapping Guide Reply with quote View Single Post

You bought the pinnacle of air cooling technology, but you want to make sure you're getting the best contact possible; you want to lap and polish your heatsink. This guide will show you how to do just that and get the most from your heatsink. - The Review


Last edited by Doctor Feelgood on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:48:46; edited 6 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Little Bruin
Boo Boo

Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 667
Location: Pic-A-Nic Basket
Niatross
Rated PG


Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 13:35:05    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

I've seen two views on lapping and was wondering if you've seen the one that theorizes that you shouldn't polish any finer than 600 to 800 grit. The theory is that with finer polishing there is a thin film of thermal interface material between the heatsink and core that atually prevents metal to core contact of any kind. The purpose of leaving the 600 to 800 grit scratches is so that the TIM fills the scratches and the high parts of the metal actually make direct contact with the core. I've seen this argued both ways and you seem part of the polishing group. Have you seen this and have you any thoughts on the subject? I personally don't know which is best
_________________
Abit NF7-S w/Athlon 2100+@2341mgh
512mg Corsair TwinXLL @2,2,2,11
GeForce Ti4200
WD 80gig SE
Swiftech MCW5000 waterblock w/external radiator
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Doctor Feelgood
Arrrrghh!


Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 20349
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 14:29:58    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

Hi Niatross... Welcome! We'll have to wait for Dud3! to drop in and answer, but I have seen it presented both ways as well. (but, I have also seen it presented that you just use sandpaper and your fingers, which is kinda scary... Laughing )
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Dud3!
Forum abandoner


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 1469
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 15:52:26    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

And I've read a post by someone who just couldn't figure out WHY their temps went up after they "lapped" their heatsink with a 180 grit belt sander... Laughing


Anyway, TIM = stuff that makes up for imperfect heatsinks so you will have greater contact. The less TIM the better, and by lapping and polishing the heatsink you lessen the need for TIM. Metal to core contact is much better than core to TIM to heatsink contact as I'm sure you'll acknowledge.

By leaving the heatsink at a "rough" level like 800 grit, all you do is decrease the amount of metal actually touching the core, and that metal area is replaced by TIM, which isn't a very good conductor of heat compared with metal.

Soooo, the people that think a rough finish is good need to think about it a bit longer. Razz

_________________
Due to a not-that-interesting turn of events, I am now known as Justin Danger.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Niatross
Rated PG


Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 20:06:33    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

well the people I've heard say this were actually engineers but you go back to the old saying too " I can spell engineer I are one" Laughing
_________________
Abit NF7-S w/Athlon 2100+@2341mgh
512mg Corsair TwinXLL @2,2,2,11
GeForce Ti4200
WD 80gig SE
Swiftech MCW5000 waterblock w/external radiator
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Doctor Feelgood
Arrrrghh!


Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 20349
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 20:16:54    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

Although I would never try this, I know some have... Lapping your cpu. Honestly, what good is a perfectly flat and smooth heatsink if the surface of the cpu doesn't match?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
trekrider
Feeling: Prehistoric


Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 2176
Location: Twin cities,MN

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 20:47:27    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

Big Bruin wrote:
Although I would never try this, I know some have... Lapping your cpu. Honestly, what good is a perfectly flat and smooth heatsink if the surface of the cpu doesn't match?


Should I start with 400 grit?? Laughing

_________________
Two wrongs don't make a right!
But, three lefts do!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Little Bruin
Boo Boo

Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 667
Location: Pic-A-Nic Basket
Dud3!
Forum abandoner


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 1469
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:58:25    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

I agree BB, but one's better than nothing. I'm too chicken to lap a new processor, but I *may* try it with a dead Duron 750 I have. If that works, I might lapp the Duron 900 I'm getting from Spire just for fun.



And you need to start with 30 grit on your CPU... Laughing

_________________
Due to a not-that-interesting turn of events, I am now known as Justin Danger.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Niatross
Rated PG


Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 23:16:15    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

I would probably lap a P 4 or an FX 51 , anything with a heatspreader but just thinking about grinding on the bare core of an XP gives me the willies. Laughing
_________________
Abit NF7-S w/Athlon 2100+@2341mgh
512mg Corsair TwinXLL @2,2,2,11
GeForce Ti4200
WD 80gig SE
Swiftech MCW5000 waterblock w/external radiator
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BeerCheeze
*hick*


Joined: 14 Jun 2003
Posts: 9285
Location: At the Bar

PostPosted: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 00:57:00    Post Subject: Reply with quote View Single Post

A old Duron would be a good start. If you hose it, not much lost.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bigbruin.com Forum Index -> Articles All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Go To Page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum
Contact Us :: On Facebook :: On Youtube :: Newsletter :: RSS Feed :: FAQ :: Links :: Sponsors :: Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2000 - 2023 Bigbruin.com - All rights reserved