Another lapping question...

Dingleberry88 · 18 May 2007 at 19:38

I've decided to lap my CPU and HS, but we only have 400 and 1000 grit.

Is it going to be feasible to lap with just this, or will it take forever to get a decent finish once I've done the 400?

Dingleberry88 · 18 May 2007 at 20:06

I thought it was recommended to start with 400, and there isn't any real benefit going over 800?

Dingleberry88 · 18 May 2007 at 21:44

Well I've just finished with the 400. Took me almost an hour to get rid of all the tin coating - looks like the heatspreader was really concave. From your replies it looks like I'll be fine going straight to 1000, it just might take a while.

Another question: Is there any way to remove the bottom of the Tuniq Tower so I can lap that a bit easier?

Dingleberry88 · 18 May 2007 at 21:52

Will do. I'll be using AS5 too as I just used the grey stuff that came with it up to now.

I'm amazed how concave it was though. The copper started showing from the outside until I was just left with a small grey spot just off centre.

Dingleberry88 · 18 May 2007 at 21:55

Not really, I'll see how long I can be bothered doing it.

From what I've read, it being shiny doesn't matter that much, it more how flat it is - Which even after using just the 400 is a lot better than it was.

Dingleberry88 · 19 May 2007 at 00:20

Well I'm done.

Got a fairly decent mirror-ish finish with about 1 hour on 400 and then 45 mins on 1000.

Temps before lapping were ~45 idle, ~65 load.

I've been running Orthos for just over 20 mins and my temps are around 60.

Both before and after temps are at 3GHz with fans turned right the way down (about 500RPM).

Sorry Phil, didn't see your post until after I'd finished. It's really easy though.

All I did was duct tape the sandpaper to some mdf, making sure to pull it tight. Splashed a bit of water on and a spot of washing up liquid.

Then I moved the CPU back and forth over the paper, using almost no pressure, for about 20-30 seconds, then turned it 90 degrees and did the same.

I kept doing this until all the copper was exposed. Then I did the same with 1000 grit.

Dingleberry88 · 19 May 2007 at 22:36

After watching the temps today It's looking like I've knocked almost 10 degrees off idle and 5 or 6 off load.

So yes, for something that only takes an hour or so, is really easy to do, doesn't cost anything and gives me lower temps I'd say it's definitely worth it.

When I took my CPU out before lapping there was almost no paste on the centre, indicating my CPU was particularly concave, so you might not get as much of a temp drop, but it's worth giving it a go.