[Amtrak]

Picked up a lapping kit from EasyPCKits.com to see what is was like, and got a bit of a surprise when the package arrived! No worries, I was more than satisfied with the order.


Contact area of the heatsink, the machined base is clearly visible...


...And the CPU.


So flat!


I would have liked to lap the CPU, but decided I'd keep the warranty a bit longer just in case.


Wear patterns. The corners weren't raised, those were just my fault.




400 grit done.

[BioTuned]

how many different grits your going to do?
Are you looking for a mirror finish or just a flat base?

[Amtrak]

800 grit done.



I think this was after a short bit of 1200 grit.


Done. I decided to stop after the 1500 grit.


Much better.


I will kill you until you die from it.



Also decided to do the washer mod. Ideally, I would've liked a larger one, but the next biggest size I had was too large to fit between the heatpipes. I'm stuck with this until I decide to get something bigger. At least for now it'll help make up for the material lost in lapping.

[Amtrak]

Originally Posted by BioTuned

how many different grits your going to do?
Are you looking for a mirror finish or just a flat base?

I went 400, 800, 1200, 1500. I was going to go up to 2000, but was getting really bored with all the lapping.

Just as long as the base is flat and it looked consistent, I was happy.

[Short_CirktZ]

Holy crap, that was off big time!

What did the kit include? I've been wanting to lap my PII940 and DTek Fusion waterblock. I don't have a thick enough piece of glass to work on though.

What's the washer mod? Separating the heat pipes?

[Amtrak]

The kit I bought inluded one 9"x11" sheet each of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit papers. I also bought the same sized piece of glass to go with it, since I didn't have anything to work on previously. I found that guy's website through the classifieds here, but you can obviously just go straight to his site if you want to pick something up.

Washer mod is merely placing a washer or something else similar between the base of the TRUE and the mounting bracket, as you can see in my last picture. It increases the pressure of the heatsink on the CPU, helping it keep better contact. Like I said, I didn't have any in-between sized washers from what I used and what was too big to fit, so right now I think it's mostly just making up for the material that was removed.

[ascl]

You left out the most important piece of information!


What were your load temp differences from before and after?

[Amtrak]

That's 'cause I was in the process of finding out!

Results admittedly weren't as great as I had hoped considering the lap, washer mod, and upgraded fans, but at least it's something. Looks like I'll try using a larger washer sometime in the future to see if it makes any larger impact.

Temps at stock clocks, 23C-24C ambient, using Core Temp.
................ (Core 0, 1, 2, 3)
Idle before: 40, 38, 39, 36
Load before: 62, 61, 60, 59
Idle after: 38, 37, 38, 35
Load after: 60, 60, 59, 57

[MongGrel]

Yours looked just like my Copper did when I started lapping it, two parallel ridges down opposing sides.

Yours came out nice

I just went to 600 here then polished with diamond paste a bit, wasn't quite a mirror, but seems to be working well.

Nice job.

[ascl]

Well its still an improvement... good job!

[jivetrky]

I like how the EasyPCKits.com guy gives the little baggie with free tidbits, it's a cool gesture. But I'm kind of upset, mine never came with a roach!

[Amtrak]

Grrr, ImageShack is being quite finnicky as of late.

[Methal]

i HATE it when you skin your thumb nuckel while sanding.... =D

[Amtrak]

Hehe...that was a previous injury. I did, however, do a fair number on one of my knuckles due to the way I originally held the heatsink while sanding. It's still barely healed any.

[Jolly-Swagman]

Very Nice Lap Job, and the Temps to go with it ,,,Well Done!!