Heatsink lapping - Is it worth it?

Roll · 9 Jun 2007 at 23:01

I'm considering lapping the bottom of my cooler (copper bottom) as it didn't look that smooth when I installed it a couple of months ago.

Just wondered what sort of temperature improvement this generally gives so I can decide if it will be worth the fuss and bother of doing it?

Thanks for replies

Ambro · 9 Jun 2007 at 23:05

I have read that it normally reduces temps by about 5 degrees. Also I have heard that you can do somthing similar to the CPU which can reduce temps by up to 10 degrees, although i'm not sure how you would do this.

w3bbo · 10 Jun 2007 at 08:37

Its only really worth lapping a heatsink if it has deep scratches in it as 99.9% are flat as can be from the factory. Notice I said flat as that is the primary aim of lapping.

Lapping the IHS is much more benificial but only if you have a concave IHS.

Theres a decent guide in the sticky and lots of info available by using the search function

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Roll · 10 Jun 2007 at 08:59

Cheers, thanks a lot.

Think I might give it a go anyway as it's something I've never tried before

PhillyDee · 10 Jun 2007 at 11:37

I alpped my tuniq at work on a lapping machine. Done the cpu by hand. Lowered my temps by about 5 degrees.

Sparky · 10 Jun 2007 at 12:04

Did mine as the cpu ihs was terrible! Went from this at stock

To this with a overclock

Will give it a few days for the silver to settle in then crank it up again.

Millwall.FC · 10 Jun 2007 at 13:16

id lap my cpu if i could be bothered to remove it lol.

chaparral · 10 Jun 2007 at 13:23

i worry that if i lap my C2D i get all the holes for the pins to go in clogged up...

PhillyDee · 10 Jun 2007 at 16:45

They arent holes, but i would tape it anyway. And make sure you give it a good clean afterwards.