What happens if you don't lap the Thermalright 120 Extreme?

[balane]

The way I understand it the Intel Core2Duo is concave (Dips down in the center.) and the Thermalright 120 Extreme is convex (Has a high point in the center.) Thermalright designed the surface of the heatsink to make complete contact with the Intel processor. I can only assume that Thermalright knows what they're doing and all reviews of this unit praise it, while none mention lapping everything.

So, If I buy this unit, use some AS5, and install it can I expect to have decent cooling? Or do I really have to lap the CPU and the heatsink to get good cooling?

I really don't understand having to alter two surfaces that were made for each other. And I would like to avoid sanding on my new processor if I can enjoy it. But I'm getting almost 80C in Prime 95 at 3.2GHz using some crappy Thermaltake heatpipe cooler. (Which performed just fine on my 3.2GHz E6400 for some reason. Flat bottom heatsink, maybe?)

Anything else I need to know about this cooler that you can't read in a review? Can I do anything to beef up the install since I know it's heavy and will want to lean. I want to get it right the first time and I want a snug, solid fit. Thanks.

 

[DrMrLordX]

If you don't lap the IHS and HSF when using the Ultra 120 eXtreme, you may or may not get good cooling. Anandtech did this in their review and it's the #1 HSF they've reviewed thus far based on their results. It all really depends on how warped your IHS is I guess . . . sometimes they mate well and sometimes they don't.

Honestly if you don't want to lap anything, just buy an unlapped Ultra 120 eXtreme and try it out. If it doesn't work well either RMA it or lap both the IHS and HSF.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: balane
The way I understand it the Intel Core2Duo is concave (Dips down in the center.)

Do you have any link to a paper or specification by Intel that claims that? I have an E6600 and it does not.

and the Thermalright 120 Extreme is convex (Has a high point in the center.)

Look at the pictures in this thread. Those are from my Ultra-120 extreme.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...046722&highlight_key=y
You can see that it does not have a high point. It rather has a high line!

Thermalright designed the surface of the heatsink to make complete contact with the Intel processor.

I have heard that claim. If that is true, I am curious why they include an AMD mounting bracket with the cooler as well!

So, If I buy this unit, use some AS5, and install it can I expect to have decent cooling? Or do I really have to lap the CPU and the heatsink to get good cooling?

If you decide to lap, make sure to test before and record your results.

I really don't understand having to alter two surfaces that were made for each other.

One may say that the Thermalright sink was made for the Intel heat spreaders. But, I am sure that the Intel heat spreaders where not made for the Thermalright cooler!

Anything else I need to know about this cooler that you can't read in a review? Can I do anything to beef up the install since I know it's heavy and will want to lean. I want to get it right the first time and I want a snug, solid fit. Thanks.

You can use the technique explained in this thread so that you don't have to remove the motherboard every time you want to re-seat the sink.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...111635&highlight_key=y

 

[n7]

My E6600 is indeed concave.
My TR Ultra 120 eXtreme was indeed convex.

I lapped my 120 eX a couple night ago, & similar to your results Navid, after lapping, there was basically a large chunk of the middle gone with nothing removed on the sides.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem my temps have really improved at all (at least not noticeably); likely due to the E6600 still being concave (not lapping it).