Too lap or not?

[monsterstealth]

I just received my e4300, Asus P5N-E SLI, and Thermalright Ultra 120. I am considering lapping the U120, Stock NB Heatsink, and the e4300. I already have a passive zalman cooler going on the SB, and a little 40mm fan to put on the NB Heatsink. I do plan on overclocking, and am hoping to get anywhere from 3.2-3.6ghz. It will be in an Antec 900 case with 1 additional 120mm fan, and 1 120mm fan for the Ultra 120. Just looking for some thoughts?
Thanks
Jon

 

[MDE]

I wouldn't bother unless you're going for an extreme OC, in which case you should be investing in a water setup.

 

[jgigz]

Excuse my noobness but what is lapping?

 

[Gautama2]

Originally posted by: jgigz
Excuse my noobness but what is lapping?

Basicly, "sanding" the base of the heatsink and/or the cpu so that they are near-perfectly flat.

 

[Alone]

Seems pretty risky to me? Isn't the point of thermal paste just to fill in the uneven spots?

 

[WoodButcher]

The ultra 120 I used came with heavy tool marks. So I say lap, lap, lap! I started w/ 320 wet then 600 and finished on 1200. I think the 1200 may have been a bit much but the temps were excellent. I also lapped my cpu. temps , The 120 I.ve since switched to water but this cooler is awsome for air.

 

[monsterstealth]

Thanks for the comments. I think I will lap both the U120 and CPU, but what about my NB heatsink. Any one think it will be worth it, or should I just stick the 40mm fan on it and be done with it?

 

[308nato]

I lap the heatspreader and all the heatsinks. I worked to many years in a machine shop to stomach putting that gnarly looking uneven crap in anything. Is it worth the effort? Probably not but it makes me happy.

 

[Elfear]

I'd test the combo out first and decide if you want to lap based off of temps. Some of the C2D IHSs are actually fairly flat and you wouldn't gain a whole lot by lapping. Others are horrid and you would see a huge decrease in temps by lapping. Just make sure you read one of the good guides posted up around the web.