CPU Lapping

[zackbass]

Using a whetstone can be a good idea if you do it right. You really should sand it pretty good first becasue you wouldn't want to use anything rougher than a hard arkansas stone. Also using oil on the stone is a bad idea because oil is a very bad thermal conductor. Because oil doesn't evaporate it would get left in the tiny nooks and crannys (mmmm..English Muffins) that the thermal grease is supposed to fill in for better conductivity.

[meat322]

Originally posted by zackbass
Using a whetstone can be a good idea if you do it right. You really should sand it pretty good first becasue you wouldn't want to use anything rougher than a hard arkansas stone. Also using oil on the stone is a bad idea because oil is a very bad thermal conductor. Because oil doesn't evaporate it would get left in the tiny nooks and crannys (mmmm..English Muffins) that the thermal grease is supposed to fill in for better conductivity.

i did use oil but i used my parts washer at work to clean it then used AS2 for reassembly

[MrThompson]

Originally posted by zackbass


I understand what you are saying in terms of thinking logically, but obviously I could care less about wrecking my processor after making a homeade watercooling system, and doing my HDD window.

My emphasis is on absolute performance, not what you would be safest doing. If that was the case I'd say "Dude..you getting a Dell"

Hey, we're on the same page here!

meat322 - Unfortunately your parts washer will not be able to remove all the traces of oil from the microscopic surface imperfections.

[meat322]

i haven't had a problem with the oil residueits cooling great!!!
but since were on the subject of lapping wouldnt a surface that looked like this (VVVVVVVVVVV) have more contact area than a surface that was perfectly smooth when using a thermal compound such as AS2/3.trust me I'm no expert on this just sitting here saying HMMMM

[talldude]

But core-HS touching directly still gives the best heat transfer AS3 doesn't hold a candle to 2 perfectly flat mating surfaces.

[Rez]

Lapping not only makes the surface smoother but also much flatter, which is more important than a pretty shine.

I have lapped many a Blue Orb chipset cooler, and they would have to be the worst examples of heatsinks I have come accross for flatness, sit one on a flat surface and see how much light comes through the gap, pretty poor really as they are not cheap and the average user does not expect to have to lap it to get a finnish that SHOULD come from the manufacturer.

[clh61]

Check this technique out-you won't believe it.

http://www.overclockers.com/tips217/

Think I'll skip that one.

[meat322]

Originally posted by clh61
Check this technique out-you won't believe it.

http://www.overclockers.com/tips217/

Think I'll skip that one.

even though i have valve grinding compound I'm not going to do that!! (me not brave enough):rolleyes: what we need is a surfacing machine

[Redrum]

A surface grinder is what made those funny little marks on the heatsink material in the first place. Lets not go in circles here thats the marks your trying to get rid of.

[zackbass]

It really depends on what the qualtiy of the grinder is. Some machinists have griders that can get a surface flat to a few hundred-thousandths of an inch. Often they use these grinders for a "rough" cut and then use some special means for lapping the surface. I have plans and instructions for everything in a book somewhee around here...