Hi Guys,
This will be my first time writing a review. Comments/critics are welcome.
(mods pls merge the thread if it's inappropriate to stand by itself)


I've noticed that the IFX-14 performs worse than my BTVX . Posted a query in lyn click here (post 322) and query about the performance. Take note of the date of post and the load temp on IFX, that was the recorded temp on freshly applied AS5. After making good use of the WWW, I concluded that the culprit was the uneven base. I decided to give my IFX a handjob (lap).


7 different grades of sandpaper is used. 240, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 & 2000 grit. Here's the specs and app used to compare the results of lapped vs unlapped;

Processor
Intel Q6600 G0 L734Bxxx
333mhz x 9 @ 1.30vcore (pencil-ed, no vdroop)

Apps used
Stress Prime 2004 v0.40.95.13 @ Small FFTs - stress CPU, Priority 1
Speedfan v4.32
Everest Ultimate v4.00.976
RivaTuner v2.06

Below are the items used for the lapping;
Coffee table used as flat glass
Half cup of dish detergent mixed with water + straw
1 x optimus prime (optional)
7 grades of sandpaper (as above)
Wifey's nail polish remover
AS5

Those are not beers, it's dish detergent + water used to smoothen the friction during lap




After I removed the IFX from the mobo, the way of the paste spreaded was expected; least concentration of paste at the center and swept to the sides.




A closer look at the paste effect from unlapped IFX.




This is how the paste effect from the IFX base after removed from mobo. Noticed that the base too has a thinner concentration at the center.




After removing the paste using the nail polish remover. Noticed that it's cut using a machine and it has got a dull reflection.





This post has been edited by VT-Ten: Dec 30 2007, 01:57 AM

The fun (or nightmare) of giving it a handjob....
*DISCLAIMER: I'm n00b in lappin and my impatience has resulted me to unable to have a mirror finish. I do not claim accountability nor credit of your results of lapping using the method indicated here. LAP AT YOUR OWN RISK!

First, apply a small amount *beer (dish detergent + water, few drops will do) on the sandpaper. Then spread the liquid all over the sandpaper.





First use the 240 grit sandpaper. Move the IFX from 1 direction only from right to left for 5 times. Reposition the IFX 90 degrees and move again from right to left for another 5 times. Continue rotating the IFX until it's moved 4 corners. Next place the IFX on the left side and move 5 times from left to right. Rotate the IFX 90 degrees and move again. Perform the same task over and over again for about 30 minutes. Apply beer when the movement starts feeling jerky.






As time goes, you'll noticed that the nickel plate begins to go off. This is the result of lap using 240 grit after 1/2 hour. Noticed that there's still abit of nicket at the sides.



Change to a fresh 240 grit and perform the same. The nickel will be completely removed after 1 hour.





After the nickel has been removed, stick with 240 grit to even up the base. This will prolly take another 1-2 hours. When the base started to flatten, move up to 400 grit. Perform the same method of handjob for 1/2 hour. I've forgotten to take pic of result of 400grit, the pic below is the result after 1/2 hour of 600 grit.





Each grit was perform for 1/2. And I've missed a few pics. Here's the result of 1500 grit.



This post has been edited by VT-Ten: Dec 30 2007, 03:40 AM

Here's the final touch of 2000grit. Again, I ran out of patience and there's no mirror finish




The thickness and method of applying paste did effect the temperature reading. Here's how I applied mine. Whether or not this is the best method, it's certainly debateable. Regardless, I shall stick to my method




THE RESULTS

Ahh... the part that matters has reached. Here's what I did to compare unlapped vs lapped.

Cold start windows XP SP2 and let it idle for 20 mins. Take the min max and avg temp
Stress cpu for 20 mins and take max temp.

Fan setup. 3 x vizo 120mm 1800rpm blowing towards the rear of the casing.



The idle temp after 20 mins are as below. Both RT and Everest has the same result. Speedfan records lower temps. So which temp I would believe? I believe on the higher readings, just to be on the safe side. Whether or not it is agreeable with you, it's your call
Warning. Spoiler pics print screens of temp captured at 1680x1050 resolutions.

Unlapped idle for 20 mins


Unlapped load



Summary of unlapped performance



Lapped load


Summary of lapped performance




So that you have it guys. I'm sorry that I don't have time to create excel comparison chart (or was I too lazy to do it LOL).
Basically I can summarise that the idle temp is higher after lapped but the load temp is slightly lower compared to the unlapped IFX.
I would think the AS5 would need some time to sink in. THe link in my first post indicates the temp when I have first installed IFX. Compared it with the unlapped performance chart and you will notice that it will shed a few C after AS5 have sink.

Thanks for you time.

*EDIT: I forgot that I have added a fan on the backside cooler. Should have indicated this on the first post instead.
Special thanks to mADmAN to help me install the IFX for the first time.



This post has been edited by VT-Ten: Dec 30 2007, 04:00 AM

waiting to see results after AS5 has sunk in.

also waiting to see results of a mirror finish...

im planning to do this as well....just dont know when.

once done ill post mine up here as well....

jus found some 3m emery polishing paper(even higher grit than 2000) ... wil polish when my tuniq tx-2 arrive... anyway the back mounting doesnt allow me to mount the backside cooler the pins blocking...

Hope there's further decreases in temperature after thermal paste sink in ...

or after getting mirror shine finish ....

Nice review and it takes a while to lap this thing as the surface is totally uneven. The mirror finish is only a plus, not a necessity.

difference between lapped and unlapped 5 degrees?

looks like Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme perform better than it?

idle temp almost same with ultra-120.... but load temp differ around 4-6C...

not much diff with unlapped temperature. (i don't put much care about idle temp:P)
let's see what will happen after 7 days. (don't expect big diff though )

we have the same setup ...

Awesome and at least you can still fit RAM coolers. In my case, there's no room for it as IFX-14 took huge space. I had a big Sunon in the middle blowing towards rear exhaust of the casing.



This post has been edited by clawhammer: Jan 1 2008, 07:59 PM

i have a 38mm fan actually... really noisy... so i decided to put another fm123 in the middle... haha...

The big bulky fan in the mid is supposed to run 24V (industrial usage). I had it running at 12V because that's what our PSU provides and it isn't noisy plus gives pretty good airflow Unfortunately I can't put another fan on the other side - casing too small.

My 38mm fan running at 12v sounds like vacuum cleaner...

What's your load/idle temps and voltage? I'm just wondering why my IFX-14 performs so poorly

Idle temp 39C|Load temp 49C @ 3402Mhz 1.34vcore...

Did you try the latest Core Temp (v. 0.96)?
It's giving me ridiculously high temp compared to previous version, LOL!!!

iinm, to lap the base it should be on 1 direction only.