Bumpy thing on top of the processor

[Schlomo227]

Ok, I will be the first to admit that I am new to the art. My question, one that I'm sure most O/C-ers will scoff at :) is this: I have been reading about cooling and one word that comes up a lot is lapping. I know that it is about smoothing out surfaces to get the best contact area, but what part of my AMD 1.33 GHz can be lapped? Certainly not all of it right? Do I lap around the connections extending from the surface? (lol, after reading this thought i would say: I am not talking about the connections that go into the socket :), other side.)

Someone help a helpless newbie

[Justy303]

You can lap the bottom side of the HSF unit, to achieve better contact with the cpu.

[Schlomo227]

I can only lap the HSF unit? In one article i read, one in the thermal grease section on JB weld, the author lapped his HSF unit and his processor.

[Justy303]

I know that some people have lapped their cpu's core(since the text and numbers on it are a little higher than the surface). I wouldn't dare doing this myself though, since the core is very fragile. Maybe someone with experience in lapping their cpu's have some answers about this one?

[TranceBear]

It has been known for people to TRY to lap the die on the CPU, for the most part is has ended is hardache and a new $150 keychain. PLEASE for the sake of that poor CPU...don't!! Spend the extra time on lapping the bottom of the heatsink and maybe more time on case mods (never enuff). Just my 2 cents. Good Luck!!

[Me]

Schlomo227 (Jun 29, 2001 02:48 a.m.):
I can only lap the HSF unit? In one article i read, one in the thermal grease section on JB weld, the author lapped his HSF unit and his processor.
Arent you the one who sold me the GFD

[sfa ok]

On older cpus where the core wasn't so close to the surface, you could lap the surface. But on new cpus, it is letal to do so.

[SharkyTM]

yup... i have to agree... he die on t-birds and durons is finished with a perfection of less that 2 light bars in a Ne/Ar lamp... needless to say, you touch that core with sandpaper, your gonna wreck the finish... CASE MOD... spend your time on modding, lapping the heatsink is a great idea, especially if there isnt a great finish on it already... Also, make sure to use the right amount of arctic silver... good luck...

SharkyTM

[Colin]

I have lapped the core on Birds with good results. I used 2000 grit and checked my progress every 20 seconds with a 20 power loop. The final lap was done with a fresh sheet of 2000 grit and Arctic Silver as the lube instead of water. All you want to do is remove enough material so the etched identification is gone. If you see copper, you have gone to far and have a new key chain. This is definitely not for the faint at heart. If you are not sure of your skills and can’t afford to loose a CPU don’t try it.