lapping IHS - is it worth it? (void warrenty for 1°C)

[equk]

I just thought I'd post this as there seems to be a trend, where people lap their CPUs IHS. I've not seen anyone say it makes anymore than 1°C-3°C difference. It also voids the warranty (3years on intel).

So my question is: is lapping worth it?

Why Lap?

Due to the machining process, just about every heat sink will have a rough surface. To the naked eye it may look flat or even feel smooth, but there are microscopic groves in the surface. These groves will trap air between the heat sink and the CPU, and cause a poor transfer of heat.

Thermal compound is used to fill these groves and help transfer the heat from the CPU to the heat sink. Just like air, thermal compound is something else that the heat has to pass through to get from the CPU to the heat sink.

We lap the heat sink to make it smooth, allowing us to get the best possible contact between the CPU and heat sink. Even after lapping, there will still be grooves for the air to be trapped in, but the grooves will be much smaller, and cause less of a problem.

I've not bothered myself as the IHS is still there (not the same as removing+using a shim).

Seems to me some people are thinking: I'm hardcore/experienced 'cos I can sand down metal

 

[equk]

Just thought I'd add that this is only based on lapping the IHS on intel chips.

Lapping some heatsinks makes quite a lot of difference and is obviously more advantageous.

Also thermal compound is there for a reason

 

[FarFarAway]

No

For some reaon I can never be arsed

 

[NickS]

For intel, yes.

 

[equk]

For intel, yes.

It's worth voiding a 3year warrenty for 1°C?

Why just with intel

 

[ai_01]

well if ur already gonna OC it voids it anyway, and if ur trying to crunch down on lowering ur temps of course lap it, or if possible remove the ihs.

 

[equk]

well if ur already gonna OC it voids it anyway, and if ur trying to crunch down on lowering ur temps of course lap it, or if possible remove the ihs.

How would intel know you have overclocked a CPU if you were to send it back under warrenty?

I'm pretty sure they could tell if you have lapped it.

I think it's good to try to get the best temp, but if it only makes 1°C difference, voiding the warrenty outright at the same time, to me it's not worth it.

You can always lap the Heatsink.

 

[weihk]

the benefits is too small for the risk of doing it.

however, if lapping it gives me a guarantee 10c drop i'll do it, hell, i think everyone will do it.

 

[NickS]

It's worth voiding a 3year warrenty for 1°C?

Why just with intel

Who told you it was 1ºC?

I've seen 15ºC drops with people who's IHS' were extremely concave. I dropped 6ºC. Mine was very convex.

 

[JN]

Who told you it was 1ºC?

I've seen 15ºC drops with people who's IHS' were extremely concave. I dropped 6ºC. Mine was very convex.

Yeah I lost 5oc from my E6700 by lapping.

At the end of the day, a CPU is the least likely bit of your hardware to die as long as you don't pump it full of volts or kill it with heat. If you get an OEM chip, you don't get a warranty at all anway.

 

[ai_01]

idk how they do it, but they can tell, iv never heard of one person get their cpu back from an rma due to overclocking yet alone just an rma. Retailers/Wholsalers have had to many problems with people sending cpu's back, b/c people were OC'in them and killed em thats why no retailer/wholesaler will take warranty them. and thats why you have to send them back to Intel/Amd and lets say you do get it back well there RMA isnt as proficent as online-stores, or your local tech store, the soonest you would get one back would proboly be like 2-3 months if ur lucky.

 

[equk]

I have seen people post about sending their overclocked CPUs back to intel with no problem.

In a few cases where intel have stopped making the chips people have had a free upgrade.

 

[llwyd]

I've said no because while the temp drop is worth it, selling it on afterwards might be alot harder if its lapped, especially on Ebay

 

[Ham]

If you want a simmilar drop put on a jumper and turn the central heating down tbh.

 

[chudley]

If you want a simmilar drop put on a jumper and turn the central heating down tbh.

lol, you forgot to say open all windows and doors.

 

[llwyd]

The above method + living in country side + getting up early with windows open =

(*whispers* I think it's wrong)

 

[Toxcity]

The above method + living in country side + getting up early with windows open =

(*whispers* I think it's wrong)

WOAH! llwyd that is awesome! I hope its correct, cos that is cooool!

 

[NickS]

well if ur already gonna OC it voids it anyway

Noooo, no it doesn't.

EDIT: llywd, CoreTemp at this point in time reads the E4300's VERY low... just an FYI

 

[Ham]

Not really nick. You have no idea how cold it gets in llwyds room.

 

[NickS]

That's beside the point, the creator of CoreTemp has said there are issues with CoreTemp reading E4300 temps very low. I'll find the post for you.