I bought a Zalman CNPS9700 LED and the finish on the bottom is Perfect! Im a Tool and Die Maker and I can honestly say that the finish on the bottom of the 9700 isn't something you'd be able to produce at home with conventional lapping techniques. Its Been surface ground, Honed and Lapped. I couldn't believe it when I pulled it out of the box and looked at it. Another important note is that that particular peice was made and then fastened to the unit that holds the heat pipes. It is it's own seperate peice.