Thermalright IFX-14

Christo

Christo

Christo

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I have just purchased one of these but placing the heatsink flat on a table it rocks a bit ie it's not flat. This surely can't be good for cooling, is this usual? Should I return it?

Thanks
Chris:)
 
Either return it or lap it - lapping is good so just do that :)

Incidentally I'm seriously considering buying one of these - when you get it on, let us know how it performs :)

(also, what cpu etc are you running?)
 
EniGmA1981 said:
Either return it or lap it - lapping is good so just do that :)

Incidentally I'm seriously considering buying one of these - when you get it on, let us know how it performs :)

(also, what cpu etc are you running?)
Click to expand...

It will take some serious lapping, surely lapping is to make the surface smooth but not to actually change the shape of the base from a curve? It should be flat isn't that the point of a heatsink?
 
Have a look at the following:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-ifx14_6.html
The first sample they received seem to have same problem as yours, and their quick test shown that the cooling does suffer because of it.

See if you can fix the issue yourself (without breaking anything), otherwise you best RMA it. The Thermalright IFX-14 is a very effective cooler (well heatsink) according to the xbit review, provided that it is not "faulty"...
 
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It's not recommended to lap heatpipe coolers as it's very easy to over do it and go through the Walls of the heatpipe rendering it useless, I would suggest an rma if your unhappy.
 
While googling this issue, it seems some people suggest that Thermalright intentionally made the ifx-14 base slightly curved to provide better contact with the centre of the cpu.
 
Marine-RX179 said:
Have a look at the following:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-ifx14_6.html
The first sample they received seem to have same problem as yours, and their quick test shown that the cooling does suffer because of it.

See if you can fix the issue yourself (without breaking anything), otherwise you best RMA it. The Thermalright IFX-14 is a very effective cooler (well heatsink) according to the xbit review, provided that it is not "faulty"...
Click to expand...

Thanks, looks exactly the same problem. A curved base can't be easily fixed, will prob have to send it back to ocuk.

WingZero30 said:
While googling this issue, it seems some people suggest that Thermalright intentionally made the ifx-14 base slightly curved to provide better contact with the centre of the cpu.
Click to expand...

That just makes no sense at all! (not you just that a curved base would provide better contact) :p
 
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Op here is a malaysian thread about IFX-14 lapped vs unlapped. It seems lapping the IFX-14 doesn't seem to make much difference.

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/600747

Op before returning your IFX-14 if you decided upon it; maybe you should send an email directly to Thermalright first inquiring about uneven base and whether this is present in the rest of IFX-14 aswell. :)
 
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Never lapped mine, never placed it on a flat surface to check either. Fit it as per instructions and it should be fine, if it's not then sort a return.
 
MeddlE said:
Never lapped mine, never placed it on a flat surface to check either. Fit it as per instructions and it should be fine, if it's not then sort a return.
Click to expand...

I might do that, worried I won't get money back though. It will of course work but just not as well. I'm paying extra for a decent heatsink not one that under performs.
 
You could mount it on the CPU, then remove it and see what the spread pattern is like on the TIM - if it looks like it's got good contact then you may be ok

When I said about lapping, I didn't fully take in your post - if it's visably rocking when stood on a flat surface that doesn't sound healthy so IMO your best bet would be to just RMA it :)
 
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