Is it still beneficial to lap heatsinks or would this remove microvalleies purposely manufactured into the surface to improve heat transfer?
I had decided to get Coolermaster Hyper6 'cos I think it's a later model than the Coolermaster Hyper48, but the Coolermaster Hyper48 Cooler is more expensive so I'm not sure. Which is the more effective HSF - and would it be worth lapping a modern HS such as this?

If you do it correctly, yes it is worth lapping any heatsink.

Ive seen temps drop by as much as 4/5 degs (C) after a good lapping job.

Check out the PR guide http://guides.pcapex.com/modding/mir...sh_lapping.php

It depends on the heatsink. Most manufacturers are good about lapping their heatsinks adequately. Older stock northbridge and GPU heatsinks I've found to be less so, but any aftermarket HSF I've bought/seen in the past 12 months has been einbahnfrei. If you can see grooves or feel them when running your fingernail across the bottom, it may be worthwhile, otherwise I'd advise against it. Regardless of your technique, hand lapping will almost always result in an uneven surface.

Lapping a heatsink like that will improve thermal transfer, although there are some that already have a very nice base. Always check the reviews, the person will usually say what 'grade' the base is. Polarflo is one of the examples, they already have their blocks machine lapped and warn against trying to lap them yourself. Swiftech and Thermalright usually have some good bases also, it's the companies that don't care as much about performance compared to looks that skimp on it.

For example, I did this one for you....

Review: http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi...6_review_2.php

What they say:

Quote: The base is solid copper, and is machined lap to a nice finish. It's not what most people expect to see when looking at the base, instead it's got a radial look to it. To keep it protected till it gets to you, the base is protected with a plastic protective “sticker”.

Radial base=the suck compared to pure flat.

I'd lap it.

Edit: Anon, after lapping my Maze2 it definitely was flatter...the thing stuck to the pane of glass and I had a hard time pulling it straight up, showing there was a strong bond there. Before that, it wasn't in very good condition so I couldn't say how much improvement there was over stock(it had tons of corrosion on it and some deep scratches). I'm going to say a quality mirror/piece of glass and taping down wet sandpaper would offer some high quality results.

Feel free to get technical Anon, I'd like to hear it

Quote: Originally Posted by Kage Lapping a heatsink like that will improve thermal transfer, although there are some that already have a very nice base. Always check the reviews, the person will usually say what 'grade' the base is. Polarflo is one of the examples, they already have their blocks machine lapped and warn against trying to lap them yourself. Swiftech and Thermalright usually have some good bases also, it's the companies that don't care as much about performance compared to looks that skimp on it. For example, I did this one for you.... Review: http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi...6_review_2.php What they say: Radial base=the suck compared to pure flat. I'd lap it. Edit: Anon, after lapping my Maze2 it definitely was flatter...the thing stuck to the pane of glass and I had a hard time pulling it straight up, showing there was a strong bond there. Before that, it wasn't in very good condition so I couldn't say how much improvement there was over stock(it had tons of corrosion on it and some deep scratches). I'm going to say a quality mirror/piece of glass and taping down wet sandpaper would offer some high quality results. Feel free to get technical Anon, I'd like to hear it

I'm confused - you say the review says it's been well machine lapped - but still you think I should lap it by hand?

Are radial bases bad?

I kind of just skimmed the thread so hopefully no one said this already, but if the heatsink has a really flat surface already and you want to clean it up, just use ketchup and smear it on the bottom. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes then rub it off and it will get rid of the oxidation leaving the pristine copper base you desire.

I would advise you to lap everything you can. What I use is a piece of glass that is cut 8x6 inches and wrap a high grit sandpaper around it. Use automotive quality sandpaper so you can add a bit of water and switch off between turning the item clockwise and counter-clockwise. Finish up with 2K grit or better to get a nice finish. After that I use Brasso and cotton balls to make it a mirror. Clean up with alcohol and you are ready to go.

Quote: Originally Posted by SPECIALBLEND218 I kind of just skimmed the thread so hopefully no one said this already, but if the heatsink has a really flat surface already and you want to clean it up, just use ketchup and smear it on the bottom. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes then rub it off and it will get rid of the oxidation leaving the pristine copper base you desire.

Will Heinz be okay?


That Hyper6 review made it sound pretty abysmal. The Hyper48 only gets 8 pimphats - are there any modern HSFs worthy of 10? Researching is hard

Ketchup gets rid of oxidation/rust? Seriously? duude I want to try this! 10-15 minutes eh? And just rub it off? Does it work on steel?

The only thing you should keep in mind if you're deciding to lap is that shiny ≠ flat. I've attached a crude flatness test. Check the reflection on the baseplate for distortion in the lines both holding the image still and while moving it (ideally the lines should be spaced closer together but I'm feeling lazy). They should be straight in both cases.

Once again, not condemning lapping, just providing a cautionary note. A machine has certain advantages over the hand.

Ketchup is great at getting rid of oxidation on copper. It cleaned my waterblock to as-new condition overnight where vinegar had failed before.

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Quote: Originally Posted by Nerdz Ketchup gets rid of oxidation/rust? Seriously? duude I want to try this! 10-15 minutes eh? And just rub it off? Does it work on steel?

Just plain vinegar will work also. And yes, at least the pure vinegar will clean steel. I Couldnt tell you what ketchup would do though...probably just make that steel tasty.

Oh and btw..when lapping use a little bit of soap (like dish washing soap). IT helps the sand paper glide easier

Quote: Originally Posted by username#132 Will Heinz be okay? That Hyper6 review made it sound pretty abysmal. The Hyper48 only gets 8 pimphats - are there any modern HSFs worthy of 10? Researching is hard

Heinz will be fine. As for a good heatsink, check out any of the newer thermalright heatsinks they are top notch, but don't get confused with thermaltake which is at the other end (the sucky one that is).


EDIT:
Here is the link:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...right_120.html

That thermalright xp-120 looks really great but it would obstruct dimm-1 on my mobo... :'( The zalman CNPS7700-AlCu claims to be compatible _and_ has a 120mm fan and seems to be getting good reviews (9 pimphats)...

It's a choice between the Zalman and the Coolermaster Hyper48 - can anyone help me make a decision?

Edit: The Zalman has gotta be the best option - now I have another decision - the all copper 920g beast that's about double AMDs recommendation or the more [slightly] reasonable 600g copper/aluminium combo - what would you do?

Edit edit: Okay, no-one seems to care, so I'll advise myself to go for the aluminium variety since the all copper one has an element of risk. Especially when I move my computer between home and uni and can't be doing with things like removing heatsinks.

I'll start a new thread now about overall case cooling, since it would be off-topic for this thread, and I might be able to trick some people into paying attention to me again...

What mobo are you using as I have the xp120 on an abit av8 and according to the manufactures website it obstructs dimm 1 but in practice once the sticks in it fits just fine, witha nice amount of breathing space.

As for lapping I'm sure it does a great job , tho I've never done it myself.

as you say you have a choice between Zalman and Coolermaster, go Zalman. The temperatures, regardless of the lack of heatpipes, are great, and because of the design, the heatsink and get airflow to other parts of the motherboard...the NB abd MOSFETs being particular examples.

Go for the copper baby! The sucker will be bolted to your mobo, so you really have no need to worry too much unless you have to pack your pc a horse back.....than you might have to remove it. That and horses hate zalman, not really sure why, they just do.

Motherboard is MSI k8n SLI Platinum...

...still not sure about the all-copper Zalman - it's more than double AMD's recommended limit! I'll see if there are any new floating around on eBay...