Lapping the Dark Knight

875 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by rmp459, Dec 21, 2009

TFB

Discussion Starter · Dec 6, 2009

I've heard there are issues with lapping this because the pipes are hollow but let's face it, I'm not taking off half an inch. Has anyone successfully lapped their Dark Knight?

Other than breaking through the pipes, anything else I should be aware of? I've read Tech Boy's (hope I got the name right) guide to lapping and I understand the process pretty well.

Also, if I lap the Dark Knight, do I need to lap my CPU? That, I don't feel comfortable with. I'm guessing the CPU tolerances are much tighter than that of the pipes and fins assembly of the BK.

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sLowEnd

· #2 · Dec 6, 2009

Why wouldn't you be comfortable with lapping your CPU? (Especially since it doesn't have pins)

The IHS is actually quite thick and near impossible to sand all the way through with hand lapping. (Unless you're like the uber-determined guy who lapped his Q6600's to the die)

EDIT: Found thread
http://www.overclock.net/cooling-exp...6600-core.html

TFB

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sLowEnd

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Why wouldn't you be comfortable with lapping your CPU? (Especially since it doesn't have pins)

The IHS is actually quite thick and near impossible to sand all the way through with hand lapping. (Unless you're like the uber-determined guy who lapped his Q6600's to the die)

I meant my new q9550 that's coming, not the e5200. The e5200 is actually destined for a machine my brother might be building. It's a 250 dollar cpu. Voiding that warranty would break my heart. Voiding a $50 HSF, not so much.

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skkhai

· #4 · Dec 6, 2009

I lapped a Vendetta 2 (similar cooler with HDT). If you're going to do it, start with a high grit.

Lapping barely did anything with my cooler, so I recommend against it. I used 1500 then 2000 and by the time I was done, the copper was soo soft you could leave a fingernail imprint in it without even trying.

Ledge68

· #5 · Dec 6, 2009

I lapped my DK without any issues with the heat pipes. It looks great with those 3 shiny copper heat pipes but you only get to see it for a little bit! LOL

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TFB

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledge68

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I lapped my DK without any issues with the heat pipes. It looks great with those 3 shiny copper heat pipes but you only get to see it for a little bit! LOL

Did you see any difference in cooling?

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Ledge68

· #7 · Dec 6, 2009

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Originally Posted by TFB

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Did you see any difference in cooling?

It was new when I lapped it. I was not happy with how rough the stock finish was so I lapped it right off the bat! I have lapped other HSF's in the passed and I noticed a 2-3c difference on average. It's not a big difference/deal but hey I had the thing in my hands for a hour or so for some piece of mind.

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MADMAX22

· #8 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sLowEnd

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Why wouldn't you be comfortable with lapping your CPU? (Especially since it doesn't have pins)

The IHS is actually quite thick and near impossible to sand all the way through with hand lapping. (Unless you're like the uber-determined guy who lapped his Q6600's to the die)

EDIT: Found thread
http://www.overclock.net/cooling-exp...6600-core.html

Yeah I wont ever do that again

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JonnyMark

· #9 · Dec 6, 2009

In my opinion don't lap your heatsink, I don't see much performance coming from it.

If you choose to lap your heatsink it's best to lap the heatsink and cpu both at the same time that will yield the highest amount of performance.

Lozza

· #10 · Dec 6, 2009

Sorry to be off topic, but the title of this thread did make me laugh

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GOCARDSGO32

· #11 · Dec 21, 2009

So is it advised or not advised to do this? The bottom of my heatsink was really rough. I ran a thin smooth polyester cloth over the bottom of it and it tore and gave the cloth split ends. Surely there's a way to do this without messing up your heatsink, and just lapping it a small amount to make it more even.

Platinum

· #12 · Dec 21, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOCARDSGO32

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So is it advised or not advised to do this? The bottom of my heatsink was really rough. I ran a thin smooth polyester cloth over the bottom of it and it tore and gave the cloth split ends. Surely there's a way to do this without messing up your heatsink, and just lapping it a small amount to make it more even.

For all HDT coolers, lapping proved to provide a minimal gain. For others, if the base is not flat, lapping usually provides 2-4Â°C difference, and if pressure mod is applied, it'll add another 2-5Â°C depending on your situation.

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GOCARDSGO32

· #13 · Dec 21, 2009

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Originally Posted by Platinum

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For all HDT coolers, lapping proved to provide a minimal gain. For others, if the base is not flat, lapping usually provides 2-4Â°C difference, and if pressure mod is applied, it'll add another 2-5Â°C depending on your situation.

So even if it feels ragged as heck, its still not going to make much difference?

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Platinum

· #14 · Dec 21, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOCARDSGO32

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So even if it feels ragged as heck, its still not going to make much difference?

You can lap the CPU on the other end, to improve the temperature.

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GOCARDSGO32

· #15 · Dec 21, 2009

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Originally Posted by Platinum

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You can lap the CPU on the other end, to improve the temperature.

Yeah, thats true. Just wondering if the consistency of the bottom matters. I don't know what a standard Dark Knight heatsink is supposed to feel like, if its supposed to be as smooth as glass or something. If someone lapped an already smooth DK, obviously it won't make much of a difference. I don't know if I just got something odd.

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INFAMYBLADE

· #16 · Dec 21, 2009

i've always seen everyone say there wouldn't be much a difference on lapping the DK, the reason I got it is it's still 4.0 achievable with it and no need to lap for that so it does what I need how it comes.

Platinum

· #17 · Dec 21, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOCARDSGO32

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Yeah, thats true. Just wondering if the consistency of the bottom matters. I don't know what a standard Dark Knight heatsink is supposed to feel like, if its supposed to be as smooth as glass or something. If someone lapped an already smooth DK, obviously it won't make much of a difference. I don't know if I just got something odd.

If your aluminum plates are higher than your heat pipes, then you'll definitely want to lap it. Otherwise, not worth the effort.

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rmp459

· #18 · Dec 21, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by skkhai

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I lapped a Vendetta 2 (similar cooler with HDT). If you're going to do it, start with a high grit.

Lapping barely did anything with my cooler, so I recommend against it. I used 1500 then 2000 and by the time I was done, the copper was soo soft you could leave a fingernail imprint in it without even trying.

But was it flat....?

The goal of lapping is to have the surface so perfectly flat, that minimal thermal grease or compound is needed to fill the tiny crevaces and spaces between the HS and the CPU... Being flat is a bigger factor than it being smooth...

Easiest test is using a glass plate (from like a picture frame or something) and a drop of water.... one drop of water on the heatsink and apply the glass plate... if you can pick up the heatsink w/ suction then your at a good place...

Start with like 400 grit and work thru 800, 1600, and slightly finer if you need be... Just begin going up and down (think vertical lines) and then rotate the HS 90 degrees and make lines perpendicular to the ones u just made until you cant see the first set... then rotate another 90 degrees and keep going until you feel you have flattened it out a bit.... then do the same thing with 800 grit and 1500/1600 grit sandpaper until you can virtually work the lines out at the end at a really fine grit...

Then try that water and glass plate test... if its flat now and it previously wasnt... (id check to see if its even going to help you first) I can almost guarantee you will some some improvement if you seat it correctly with a small amount of thermal compound..

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