Watercooling Does lapping your CPU have benefits?

I have a C2Q6600 that I use in my test rig now and would like to lapp it to see if there are any real benefits in doing so! I also have a large Thermaltake copper CPU water block that might get some mobo time after a good lap.

Is it worth it?

 

my Q6600 was concave as hell, so yeah it helped drop my temps. I can't remember the amount it dropped but it was noticeable, we had a huge discussion about this about 2 years ago on here about it...

 

It does work thats for sure, some times with better results than others. One thing I can't stress enough. You must not get any kind of bevel on the surfaces you are polishing or you'll do more harm than good.

 

I've lapped virtually every CPU I've had, which to be fair isn't that many. The only one that benefited was a Q6600 with a concave IHS. That knocked around 10ºC off the load temps but none of the others have benefited to any measurable amount.

It's risky lapping some waterblocks as they are bowed by design. With the ones I have the bowing is created with the o ring so I have to remove the base to lap them. Again no measurable benefit.

The biggest temp drops I got was by using Cool Lab Liquid Pro instead of MX-2. It is a pain to remove although I've now found you don't actually have to remove every last trace.

 

Lapping your cooler has a greater effect, as they're rarely flat, but the CPU is worth doing.

I saw a massive decrease in temps when I lapped my cooler, but it had some major issues. See this thread for more details.

If you aren't concerned about warranties. Do it.

 

This is a modding site...Warranties are something other people worry about

 

I can't agree more

 

Thanks guys, I am seriously thinking about giving it a try. It does not seem too difficult to do really. I watched a Youtube video by a guy called TJHarlow who makes lots of really good vids about PC's and stuff. Hid lapping guide is really good.

Is there a easy test to check if the CPU is concave apart from the obvious of using your eyes? LOL

 

In a word, 'Yes'.

Do however make note of the text on the CPU heatsink in the case of a retail boxed sample, as Intel will require this information in the case of a warranty claim.

I know the suggestion in the thread has been that Intel will not honour their warranty, but it is subjective - I have returned a lapped & heavily overclocked CPU previously (2 years use?) and been issued a replacement.

Whether this is normal policy, or whether my return was simply never checked, as it was an end-of-life product (a Pentium D, just after CD/C2D came out), or whether my issue corresponded to a known fault or something, I don't know - but just in case!

TSB

 

Well, it will be nice and shiny if nothing else.

 

What do your finger-tips tell you? They are extremely sensitive. Other than combining your fingers info with ya eyes info..no I dunno.

 

Ooops!

Also! It did reduce temps by quite a bit if I remember? Back in the days of my Arctic Freezer, perhaps?

Ah, how times have changed.

TSB

 

It depends.

I'd always try without lapping of any sort first, to check temperatures. If they're reasonable, I wouldn't bother.

On the other hand, if the CPU and cooler have a noticeable lack of a good fit, lapping will bring temperatures down a lot. I've lapped my CPU and cooler and the temps dropped 10C as well.

 

Anyone wanna do a lapping 101 for someone who doesn't know what it is?

Edit: Nevermind I stopped being lazy and did some reading!

 

To check for deformities on the IHS put a razor blade (edge on) on it and hold it up to the light. You can usually see if it's not flat.

 

I'm tempted once i move to lap my Noctura Beast Machine, but then I need to go out and get more thermal paste... and... I'd have to stop gaming and... must +buzz+ must... lapp CPU...

It's always had a massive increase in my opinion, I've seen endless people do it and see massive temp drops.

 

So if I decided to lap my Thermalright AXP-140 (I read in reviews that it doesn't have a particularly low-tolerance design) where would I go about getting this super-awesome sandpaper to do the job with? Wicke's obviously don't do anything of that quality.

 

Halfords used to do a big pack of sandpaper that went down to 800 grit. Your local hardware shop should carry stuff that's nearly fine enough, and I'm sure a decent-sized B&Q would have a super fine grit somewhere.

 

When ever I do lapping I use wet / dry which I get from a car accessory shop you can get much finer grade than 800

 

This http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lapping-kit-c...ponents_Fans_Heatsinks_SR&hash=item53e1545d8c plus a piece of plate glass. Some glass chopping boards are very flat. Although you can go down to the 2500 grit anything over 1000 just adds shine to the finish and doesn't improve the temperatures.