Do I need to lap the Tuniq 120?

[nyker96]

Just order a Tuniq 120, and have heard some people say it's very rough surfaced. Do you guys who own the Tuniq lap it?

 

[RussianSensation]

You don't need to lap the Tuniq to make it work. But if you know how to lap and don't mind doing it, it'll improve your performance.

 

[VinDSL]

Interesting question! I'm surprised it isn't asked more often...

I agree with RussianSensation, and I'm a nut when it comes to lapping. For instance, I lapped a Scythe Mine 3, roughed up again, then lapped it a second time, just to see what the difference would be.

Indeed, the Tuniq Tower 120 has a rough finish, however, this is such a brutal cooler that it really doesn't matter if it's shiny or not, nor which thermal compound you use!

I know this doesn't make any sense, but that's the way it is - they ARE flat (which is all that matters, in this case) - take it from someone that owns two Tuniq Tower 120s.

Having said that, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you're a tweak! It won't make any difference, but if it makes you *feel* better, go ahead and lap...

 

[RussianSensation]

Vin, do you have any pics of your TT 120s mounted?

 

[Vyx]

I just recently got my new setup including a TT 120. It looked a little rough on the bottom but not a big deal really. Now its installed without lapping and I have my 6750 up to 3.33 GHz and its load temps are only ~45 C.

So no, I wouldn't really worry about it unless you really want to!

GL

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Vin, do you have any pics of your TT 120s mounted?

Heh!

I don't have time to fiddle around with cameras today, so don't expect much!

However, since you asked here you go. I pulled a side cover and snapped a shot.

One Tuniq is mounted in my Opti-1203 - the other is still mounted in the shipping box...

I got the fan blowing south on my NB & 7600 GT.

 

[RussianSensation]

Looks nice. I am uber impressed by the cleanliness of your case though (lack of cable clutter). I am getting a modular PSU this time to hopefully clean up my mess.

How is dust buildup on the Tuniq? My last cooler was the Big Typhoon and it would collect dust fast. In about a month at 24/7 usage my cpu temperature would be 10*C over what it was a month ago, forcing me to clean that thing. At least with Big Typhoon all I needed to do though was take the fan off but it seems with TT 120 you have to take the heatsink off to clean it?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
How is dust buildup on the Tuniq? My last cooler was the Big Typhoon and it would collect dust fast...

Well, I live in Arizona. We call Haboobs (Wikipedia definition) "Arizona rainstorms", so...

I just take it outside, every month or two, and blow it out using my air compressor. It's bad enough that I have to wear a mask!

It doesn't get packed up like face-down coolers though...

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
At least with Big Typhoon all I needed to do though was take the fan off but it seems with TT 120 you have to take the heatsink off to clean it?

If you look at the top of the Tuniq Tower, you'll see 4 small screws in the corners.

Remove those screws and the fan (and its framework) will pop right out.

Here's a pic with the fan removed. I'm too lazy to take mine apart for a snapshot...

BTW, you can turn the fan around in the frame to point either direction. Takes 2 seconds!

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
However, since you asked here you go. I pulled a side cover and snapped a shot.

It's black on the inside...and neat! :Q

 

[VinDSL]

Yep, I gotta thing for black...

Black power-coated Mountain Mods U2-UFO Opti-1203 case. Pretty shiny finish inside, huh? Notice the reflection?

Had a hell of a time finding a high-end S478 mobo with black PCB - finally snagged one from LeBronville (AnandTech) via eBay. Small world, eh?

Just bought a $125 XFX GeForce 7600 GT (black PCB). Why? It's small, black, and couldn't stand the red PCB on my ATI 9800 Pro any more! Sicko!

I'm also running a POS Ultra X-Connect XVS 600-Watt PSU. Why? You guessed it - it's black with black modular (flat) cables...

Had an obsession with black my whole life! Probably a psychological flaw. Do you think I need professional help?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Had an obsession with black my whole life! Probably a psychological flaw. Do you think I need professional help?

If you are going to sacrifice performance for the color black, YES

 

[trOver]

nice cable managmenT!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: trOver
nice cable managmenT!

Thanks! It'll get better...

This is a project in the works - probably 33% complete. I need to paint those wires, or sheath them...

Here's a another snapshot showing the wires and black PCB.

They're tucked in, but not sufficiently invisible IMHO... yet!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
If you are going to sacrifice performance for the color black, YES

It performs okay... I'm not a gamer...

BTW, check the temps (Tuniq fan not even running at full speed):

P4 EE Stock Settings

P4 EE 3825MHz

Almost hit the much ballyhooed 4GHz on air too:

P4 EE 3985MHz

I'm running my P4 Extreme Edition @ 3825Mhz, 1:1 RAM, yada, yada...

The 7600 GT was a nice match! Didn't want to draw attention away from the Tuniq!

Anyway, this rig is NO slouch!

Truthfully, I'm NOT dumping any more $$$ in this mobo setup. It's pretty much maxed out...

I'll probably be running a water-cooled C2D setup by Christmas - aigomorla keeps busting my chops!

In the meantime, I need to continue pimping the case, so it will be ready...

 

[VinDSL]

Um...

Before we go too far adrift, take my word on this...

NO, you don't have to lap the Tuniq 120!

 

[RussianSensation]

Those temps are idle though right because they don't seem right for 100% cpu load.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Those temps are idle though right because they don't seem right for 100% cpu load.

Correct!

Temps shoot up +10C (give or take) when running othos on this machine...