Sawing heatpipes

lJoublanc · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:33

I've had a Cooler Master Hyper 212 heatsink and fan in my pc for over a year now, and I've been really pleased with it. The only problem I have is that it's slightly larger than the case, so I can't close the lid. By slightly larger, I mean that the ends of the copper heatpipes portruding from the top of the heatsink are obstructing the lid.

I'm thinking of trying to saw these off, and I'd like to know what kind of a tool I would need to do this (i.e. a copper saw). Preferrably something hand operated i.e. cheap as I'd otherwise just buy a new heatsink.

Has anybody done something like this before, and be able to give me some advice? Is this a terrible idea? Is there any danger this would damage the heatsink itself? As you can see in the picture, the heatpipes seems to be bonded to the heatsink so I don't think they would separate from each other, or cause vibrations.

.Griff. · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:35

You know those pipes are hollow and integral to how the heatsink works?!?

HazardO · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:36

IIRC this is a very bad idea. Most heatpipes are hollow, and contain a gas or liquid of some sort. Chop the ends off and you have a mess, and a non functioning heatpipe.

Please post pics

iTek · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:37

I did this and it was fail, the temps shot up and I binned the cooler, I even plugged the holes with screws haha

OptimaLnrg · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:39

Better off buying a decent case if that little thing doesn't fit

thezakarum · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:39

Buy a new heatsink.

By chopping off the ends of the heatpipes the low pressurized liquid inside would escape, the evaporation of the liquid is what keeps you're cpu cool.

HazardO · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:40

Here is an example of someone who tried to lap their direct contact cooler. It should give you an idea as to why this is a bad idea..

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/don-t-lap-direct-heatpipe-touch-heatsink-57924/

thezakarum · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:40

OptimaLnrg said:
Better off buying a decent case if that little thing doesn't fit

Yeah or buy a bigger case.

joeyjojo · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:40

Ha, do this and prepare to throw it away afterwards.

As said they are hollow and contain something similar to a refrigerant gas, which carries the heat from the cpu to the fins.

BrianB · 6 Aug 2012 at 15:51

I would drill holes in top of the case to accommodate the heat pipes, could look cool and costs nothing. xD

thezakarum · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:01

BrianB said:
I would drill holes in top of the case to accommodate the heat pipes, could look cool and costs nothing. xD

I don't think I've seen anyone do this before, could be very... unique.

JonJ678 · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:03

They're almost certainly full of water. Well, low pressure water vapour. Nothing exotic.

Could bend the ends over or drill holes in your case

joeyjojo · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:07

JonJ678 said:
They're almost certainly full of water. Well, low pressure water vapour. Nothing exotic.

Interesting I thought it would be something clever. Wikipedia tells me that "The vast majority of heat pipes for low temperature applications use some combination of ammonia (213–373 K), alcohol (methanol (283–403 K) or ethanol (273–403 K)) or water (303–473 K) as working fluid". Probably is just water then

BrianB · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:09

I want to mount my D-14 in a media PC and have it sticking out the top like a supercharger, fanless.

lJoublanc · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:09

LOL Well I'm glad I checked before trying this ... I thought they were just solid copper.

The chasis is a (also coolermaster) really nice brushed aluminium finish, so desecrating it is out of the question. I guess I'll have to settle for another heatsink. bummer.

Any alternative suggestions are welcome ...

thezakarum · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:13

Well if a Cooler Master Hyper 212 is giving you trouble maybe you'll have to go with one of those all in one water cooling units.

Do you know which Coolermaster case you have?

BrianB · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:14

Should have checked the height the case can accommodate!

I made sure mine can fit even with the sound proofing foam it has. I got heat pipe dents in the foam.

Which chassis? What budget you have?

lJoublanc · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:37

I have the TAC-T01 wavemaster case. I've had it for about 10 years; it was a really good investment.

As you can see, the case dimensions would make you think it would fit. A bit silly of them to make a heatsink that doesn't fit in their own chasis!

Ok so lets say - for arguments sake - that I was willing to bore holes into the case. What would I need to do this? Some type of a special drill bit that works for aluminium? Does this have a special name?

doyll · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:38

BrianB said:
Should have checked the height the case can accommodate! I made sure mine can fit even with the sound proofing foam it has. I got heat pipe dents in the foam.

Sounds to me like you were very lucky it fit. :eek:

So you can quit poking others who were not as lucky as you were. :rolleyes:

doyll · 6 Aug 2012 at 16:43

lJoublanc said:
Ok so lets say - for arguments sake - that I was willing to bore holes into the case. What would I need to do this? Some type of a special drill bit that works for aluminium? Does this have a special name?

Assuming your side cover slides to latch on it probably isn't possilbe to simply drill holes for the heat pipes to come through.