Lapping a Heatsink, is it dangerous?

[Mightybao]

I have a FOP32 and am getting 56C after some gaming, will lapping help? I'm wondering if there are any risks associated with this, and whether this is a particularly difficult procedure or not.

 

[kyoshozx]

No major risk involved in lapping a heatsink. Just make sure you use a flat surface, like a plane of glass. It'll only help if the bottom of your heatsink isn't smooth to begin with.

 

[Jeff7]

Only danger really is to you - sharp edges on the heatsink, and damaged knuckles from the sandpaper. Otherwise, there should be no problem.

Depending on how bad the heatsink is, I start at 180-320 grit paper to flatten the surface. I then go to 600, then 850 or so, and finally 1500 grit. I've heard of some people even doing 2000. Here's what one of my lapped heatsinks looks like:
Here

 

[kimcheeboy]

Do indeed lap your FOP32-1! I did it just recently and experienced a 3C drop in peak CPU temp. In fact, my system was unstable at 1GHz before lapping cause the CPU reached it's stability threshold due to overheating. Now, it's 100% stable! Just buy some sheets of sandpaper (I got the silicon carbide type, specifically for metals like aluminum) and start sanding away. With the silicon carbide paper I used, water was optional. Actually, I found it worked better without water. And while you are at it, you might as well redo your L1's. I'm sure you don't disassemble your system everyday, so might as well do everything. Also, clean the heatsink thoroughly with alcohol until no more aluminum shaving/powder wipes off. Good luck.

 

[kimcheeboy]

Also, I'd like to think a lapped FOP32-1 is a ghetto man's FOP38. I can imagine a lapped FOP32-1 is very similiar in performance to an unlapped FOP38. Maybe wishful thinking, but it's a nice thought.

 

[Mightybao]

I actually just ordered a baby Swiftech (370 model). Should I lap this one as well?

 

[SammyBoy]

props for a nice lap job jeff7