Scratches in Intel Retail HSF?

[wkabel23]

I found a really hot deal on a refurbished 2.4C, since it won't come with a HSF and the only other HSF I have is an intel retail 2.8C one, i have a question...

The 2.8C Retail HSF has a few scratches in the area where it would make contact, by few i mean 4-5. They aren't extremely deep, I don't think they are even 1mm deep, so can I still use this HSF? I plan on using AS5 if that makes a difference.

Thanks

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: wkabel23
I found a really hot deal on a refurbished 2.4C, since it won't come with a HSF and the only other HSF I have is an intel retail 2.8C one, i have a question...

The 2.8C Retail HSF has a few scratches in the area where it would make contact, by few i mean 4-5. They aren't extremely deep, I don't think they are even 1mm deep, so can I still use this HSF? I plan on using AS5 if that makes a difference.

Thanks

A few scratches is hardly anything to be concerned about.

 

[CdnAtWork]

i lapped some scratches/pits out of my heatsink and it made about a 5C temp difference. it's easy to do and worth it in the end (for me anyway).

 

[wkabel23]

Originally posted by: CdnAtWork
i lapped some scratches/pits out of my heatsink and it made about a 5C temp difference. it's easy to do and worth it in the end (for me anyway).

Got a good guide you'd reccommend to learn how to do a good lapping job?

thanks

 

[CdnAtWork]

i can't recall which site i used in the end, but just google "how to lap a heatsink" and you'll get everything you need. the supplies are also easy to find, as i picked up everything i needed at walmart. I practiced first on the heatsink that came with my new cpu, just to see how i would make out and learned that it can be tricky to keep it perfectly flat. Something i suggest is to get a very fine tipped black marker and make a * across the base before each sanding. as you proceed, stop occasionally to make sure the marker is being worn away evenly.

Good luck with yours!!
Cdn

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: wkabel23
Got a good guide you'd reccommend to learn how to do a good lapping job?

Water and sandpaper. It's not exactly rocket science.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: wkabel23
Got a good guide you'd reccommend to learn how to do a good lapping job?

Water and sandpaper. It's not exactly rocket science.

and a flat surface to do it on.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I'm still very skeptical on the whole lapping thing. Lapping makes the surface as smooth as possible for the best contact, I understand that. But isn't that the point thermal compound so that the surface doesn't have to be smooth??

 

[DJMiX]

I USE a Dremel with a wire brush attachment, worked for me... Of course it was on a low end duron 950 ..

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
I'm still very skeptical on the whole lapping thing. Lapping makes the surface as smooth as possible for the best contact, I understand that. But isn't that the point thermal compound so that the surface doesn't have to be smooth??

Thermal pad/paste/compound is more conductive than air, whcih is what would be trapped between the processor and the heatsink if both are not flat. It is not as conductive as aluminum, however.

Thermal compound is fine, and it works well. But it does increase resistance between the processor and the heatsink which reduces thermal transfer.