How many Lap their heatsinks?

[Oribis]

I just ordered a AMD 3400+ Processor and a Thermaltake Silent Boost K8. They will be put on a MSI k8n neo platinum board. My question is how many of you guys lap their heatsinks before attaching them to a new computer. I know that AMD 64s run hot so i want to do everything I can to get it as cool as possible. I have never lapped a heatsink before and dont want to ruin it however i have a stock aluminum heatsink from my old processor to practice on. Would any of you guys reccommend it before attaching it? I ordered Artic Silver 5 by the way too.

 

[alexXx]

new heatsinks(high end especially) are prolly smoother out of the box than you could ever do yourself

 

[lobadobadingdong]

supr fine grit sandpaper works wonders, but don't expect to get more than 1-2C typically.

 

[Oribis]

even with the silent boost, i read it was a good heatsink/fan but it was a bit roughed up for most of the reviews I read. Unless the guys that review them are anal about their heatsinks.

 

[xbassman]

I have only bought one SilentBoost, but it came with a mirror finish on the base.
When I get one that doesn't, I will lap it. (I had one instance where lapping and brasso netted 5C drop!)

 

[sodcha0s]

"new heatsinks(high end especially) are prolly smoother out of the box than you could ever do yourself"

not a chance.

 

[pirred908]

Don't lap it unless it needs to be done. I'm very picky about cooling and unless the heatsink has a nice mirror finish I'll lap it. Get a very very fine grit wet/dry sand paper and lap it until your happy with it. Just make sure you sand the surface evenly or it wont lay on the processor straight. After your done sanding it, clean the surface of the heatsink with asitone. Chipsets hate oil from your fingers and dust etc. The final step is the Artic Silver 5 (good choice). Put a small bead of of Artic Silver on the heatsink and spread it very thin across the surface of the heatsink with a razor blade. Also apply it directly to the chipset in the same manner. I think that should just about do it. Try not to move it around alot when the heatsink is in place on the processor either. I think that's about it. If you have any questions just ask.

 

[3LEMENT0]

I got a ThermalTake Xtreme Volcano 12 and the HS doesn't seem as smooth and flat as I wanted so I lapped it. Up to you really, I lapped it coz I OCed my system and wanted to make sure the heatsink perform as good as it can....good luck

 

[Delbert]

Typically I'd say it's unnecessary. I installed a VGA silencer for a handicapped friend of mine however, and thought the factory finish looked awful. Machining marks all a crossed it.

:camera:before pic.

So I lapped it with a kit I had for polishing acrylic aircraft windows.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.justwebspace.com/packnheat//displayimage.php?pos=-32">:camera:
After pic1</a>

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.justwebspace.com/packnheat//albums/userpics/larry006.jpg">:camera:
After pic2</a>

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

why not? it's one of the few things you can do to improve performance without risking destroying your hardware. worst case you lapp it unevenly and you can always go back and do it again.

 

[wkwong]

If you are really picky about cooling, then lap the heatsink. It should take a good hour or so going through all the grits. Sand paper is actually rather exspensive when you get up to the 1000-2000 grit sandpaper. So I'm guessing around $10 or more worth of sandpaper from a local hardware store (unless you have it readily available at home) and a good horus work for probably a 1-2 C difference that most people get. If that's worth it in your opinion, then by all means lap away!