Lapping xp-90 or xp-120

[stelleg151]

So these really high quality heatsinks have a thin layer of nickel on the bottom, which I believe hinders the heat transfer significantly. I am wondering if anyone has lapped off this thin layer, to the copper core to increase heat transfer. I am considering it, but I just bought it and it would be a shame to ruin it, as I have no backup hsf.

Thanks

[jjcom]

yeah people have done that, shouldn't be much if any harder than to lap a regular heatsink

jjcom

[craig588]

Yeah, nickel sucks for heat transfer, but doesn't corrode. (Corroded copper conducts heat worse than nickel) Just make sure that it is shiny copper every time you reapply the HS to a different chip, copper corrodes in just a few minutes. It it gets dull, just relap it with very fine sandpaper so you don't take any more off of the HS and only take off the corrosion.

I'm too tired, this post looks rather incoherent.

[stelleg151]

Thanks for the info fellas, I think I will wait to do some of the more xtreme stuff until the system is a little older and less valuable to a student like me.

Thanks again.

[stayfrosty]

ohh when copper gets dull from corrosion try and find this stuff called "brasso" just wipe it down with a paper towel and that stuff and it cleans right up

[Holst]

Brasso will leave a residue.

Better to use tomato sauce then rince off a after a few minutes.

[NT_Kid0]

What is a good program for monitoring cpu temp over time that i can post screenies of?, i'll do before/after lapping results and post the differences to system temp idle/loaded either tomorrow or asap if i get some time.

[jjcom]

What about using Coke? I've used the softdrink to to make a copper keychain thing look nice again. Would that work on heatsinks? it'd probly eat off the nickel lol

jjcom

[stayfrosty]

Brasso will leave a residue.

Better to use tomato sauce then rince off a after a few minutes.


well you still ahve to clean it after you use it but it will get off the corrosion.. I should have mentioned that

tomato sauce you say? Thats interesting ive never heard of that one will have to try it some day.

[odb]

ketchup works also

[Chris_F]

I belive it's the vinegar in the ketchup which deoxidizes the copper, I'm not sure. You could try using vinegar.

[Navig]

Thing o beauty.

The nickel layer takes a very long time to work thru!

[Dissolved]

ill probly lap mine. anyone see a confirmed difference in temps?

also what fans do you guys use?

[Navig]

About 4c difference for me.

I've got several different fans:
enermax variable (http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-33.html)
Delta Monster (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/de12ff.html)

I've got some of those magical sanyo denkis in the mail, rated something like 102cfm for thirty something dba.

navig

[CrazyXP1700]

anyone have any results from a lapped XP-90 or 120 and a lapped CPU IHS?

[Dissolved]

About 4c difference for me.

I've got several different fans:
enermax variable (http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-33.html)
Delta Monster (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/de12ff.html)

I've got some of those magical sanyo denkis in the mail, rated something like 102cfm for thirty something dba.

navig


got any links for those sanyo fans?

[_Eduard_]

I sent an email to Thermalright about the nickel plated base and they said it is fine that way, and that lapping it wont give better temps and will cause corrosion.

IMO I think it doesn't really make much of a difference. The most important thing is that it is totally flat. And corroded copper has worse thermal transfer than nickel

[Skip]

use froogle for the sanyo fans, i have seen some 92mm on froogle, only 3$, but 7$ for shipping, about 55CFM, and 36dB. not bad. i can't stand tornados, so they are the next best thing.

[Dissolved]

use froogle for the sanyo fans, i have seen some 92mm on froogle, only 3$, but 7$ for shipping, about 55CFM, and 36dB. not bad. i can't stand tornados, so they are the next best thing.

http://sanyodb.colle.co.jp/product_db_e/coolingfan/dcfan/dc_fan_detail.php?master_id=1196
this fan is 89cfm @43DB its 38mm thick tho..

i think im going to get one of them. 43db is reasonable, and i can put it on a reostat..

[Skip]

yea, thats a pretty nice one.

i just ordered the one i was talking about, it won't be that loud, so i'll most likely have it on full speed the entire time.

[Dissolved]

theres a 50db model that looks good too, but im not sure id ever have it on 100% anyways..

[Xerxes]

i've got the sanyo rated at 55cfm @ 36db. It really isnt that bad i feel asleep with my comp on. Just remember you'll have to either bend the clips on the xp-90 to the top of the fan or cut out part of the fan as it doesnt have the empty space some fans do. got mine at coolerguys for $1 awhile ago all in all $46 including shipping for a xp-90 and fan is pretty sweet. keeps my 550 3.4 @ 3.83 on load under prime95 below 130f on an asus board so probably under 150f in reality.

[Navig]

I think these are the sanyos 120x38's (http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14010&variation=&aitem=3&mitem=9)

I've got a few on order, I'll let you know how they all turn out.

I've got a 120x38 NMB from 1coolpc.com, which is similarly rated, but I feel its a little louder than it ought.

navig

[Skip]

i won't be buying any 120mm fans though, i have 2 sunons rated for i think 112CFM, probably a touch over 40db. unless i can get rid of them i won't be ordering sanyos for that.

[Judaeus Apella]

Im getting an XP-120 too and Im thinking about lapping it. I found a product that polishes VERY well with any metal and it's in Walmarts automotive section. Its called Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. Probably the best and fastest polish Ive ever used and its in a thick cream form instead of a liquid form so its easier to work with and doesnt run. If it starts to dry out you can just add water and it works even better. It leaves a very thin film on metal that causes water to bead off after the cream has been buffed off. Made a 40 year old heavily tarnished knife look like Mirrored silver in about 10 minutes. Heres a pic of the stuff:

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpix/05100-05101.jpg

Would that film interrupt heat transfer? It can be removed with some buffing, and some cleaner.

[jjcom]

yeah, your going to want to get rid of that film. If you use that stuff.

jjcom

[mad mikee]

I've gotten 2 and have found both 2 be noticably concave, such that I had to start @ 240 grit and work, up, but I can see myself when done and no waves/distortion.

[Romaster]

I did not lap my XP-90, I'm lazy and stuff... and it really makes minimal difference.. 0-2C at the most really.. its a very insignificant layer of nickel plating that is on the copper. not much to really affect performance to any high degree.

I did however lap my P4 IHS.. thats why im even posting in this thread :P.
I got a 7C difference in temperature from it! its amazin