Heat sinks

[SupermanJnk]

Just wondering, if the bottom of a heatsink is scratched can it damage the cpu? aparently i wasn't careful enough when removed the thermal pad from it and i scratched it a little just wondering if i should get a new one or if this heatsink is still good.

[Tobalaz]

You can reuse the heatsink, but first you have to lap it. Get a small perfectly flat piece od glass or metal, then put some fine grit sandpaper on it and move it across the bottom of the heatsink in a circular motion till it is completly smooth without any scratches.
If that sounds like too much work, then go ahead and buy another heatsink (pref copper).

[Doorbasher]

make sure it's FINE sandpaper. Lap it with 400 grit, then 600, then 800, then 1000, then 1500, and optionally with 2000. Use wet-or-dry sandpaper, and make sure it's wet. Then, rest the heatsink on the sandpaper, and moveit around in small circles. Do 100 circles, then stop and rinse off the heatsink and sandpaper. Lap for 20 minutes with each grit.

[AMGpower]

Dude you have way to much time to do mindless tasks like that. Do you watch tv while doing it?

[Doorbasher]

I cant. Every 1.5 minutes I'd have to take the HS to the bathroom to rinse it and the sandpaper off. Another reason to buy a Swiftech: pre-lapped.

[Smithmeister]

Sounds complicated.

[Doorbasher]

Not really... It's kind of like if I said: "Grasp the implement firmly in the right hand, and twist it clockwise until friction is encountered" for describing the use of a screwdriver. It's length makes it seem worse than it really is.

[Smithmeister]

I mean the part about using 400 grit 600 grit so and so, im sory if i sound dumb but I dont know much about that kinda stuff.

[Doorbasher]

Grit is a measure of how rough the sandpaper is. Ordinary sandpaper that you use on wood is around 150 grit. The coarsest is around 40 grit. By the time the numbers get to 1500 and 2000, it feels more like paper than sand.

[elfboy999]

could the thermal grease be used sorta like lapping or does that dick it up? i mean just get thermal grease on the HS and the smooth part never really touches the proc

[Tobalaz]

Originally posted by elfboy999@Jul 18 2003, 11:20 PM
could the thermal grease be used sorta like lapping or does that dick it up? i mean just get thermal grease on the HS and the smooth part never really touches the proc
Sorry, won't work that way. The smallest air pocket will superheat and cause higher temps. That surface has to be near perfect to get the most out of it.
BTW, Thermalright slk 700s, 800s, and 900s are lapped to near perfection DB, I got mine fron Crazy PC and the thing had a mirror finish. It doesn't have to say Swiftech or cost $100 to be a good heatsink. There are quiter, easier to clean alternitives thatcost a whole lot less and offer performance within 1 degree.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Jesus overclock with an Aero? Its a solid heatsink with a TMD fan that offers great performance at a reasonable price. I like the slk 700 w/ TMD fan myself, does better than the Aero for OC'ing and runs around the same.

[Haysoos]

Originally posted by Tobalaz@Jul 18 2003, 10:34 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Jesus overclock with an Aero? Its a solid heatsink with a TMD fan that offers great performance at a reasonable price. I like the slk 700 w/ TMD fan myself, does better than the Aero for OC'ing and runs around the same.
I would prefer the SLK w/ TMD than my Vantec Aero, but i didnt know about the slk w/TMD when i bought. Yes, i did overclock, when it wasnt 80-85 degrees in my room. When i was at the dorms with a nice 72-75 degrees, i got 28-30C ambient and good proc temps. Now i get 36C ambient, and im paranoid about frying something. And BTW, mine has a copper core with a mirror finish on the bottom...

On topic, yeah, lapping will fix it, its a long process, but its the only solution. Maybe you dont have to do it ALL at once, maybe 15 minutes one day, 15 minutes the next, etc etc... Make it a bit more bearable.

[Smithmeister]

Originally posted by Doorbasher@Jul 18 2003, 06:01 PM
Grit is a measure of how rough the sandpaper is. Ordinary sandpaper that you use on wood is around 150 grit. The coarsest is around 40 grit. By the time the numbers get to 1500 and 2000, it feels more like paper than sand.
Oh ok, thanx for the enlightenment

[SupermanJnk]

where can i pick up the higher grit sand paper?