the metal polish is a machine or just like sand paper type?

Its a paste type polish...

i noticed that so many members try to get their proc or heatsink lapped to mirror finish...mirror finish is great...for own satisfaction la after all the long hours and sweat...but for achieving a good result in the temp, the main objective is to get a fine flat surface...and then u'll put the thermal paste...AS5, MX1/2...or whatever that will fill the micro-gap on the proc or heatsink...so, basically, if u cannot get the mirror finish one, it's ok and u dont have to hunt for 2000 grit sandpaper for that.
but yes...it would be really 'yahooooo' when u can see ur face on the IHS, after voiding the warranty

Yeap... hahaha

Yes, the main purpose is to get a flat surface, not a mirror.

I lapped mine and I can't get a 2000 grit sand paper so I don't get a mirror finish but a 5C-6C drop in load temps with stock cooler

do i need to apply thermal compound to the lapped cpu?

sure need la~

For me no need... cuz i end it with metal polish....

The surface might look flat from our bare eyes but there might be uneven surfaces, holes, etc in the micro view. Hence, thermal paste is always advisable.

Yes, but limit the quantity of the paste applied.

i dun think metal polish will help at all, it's just for looks making ur surface shinny

you will still need thermal compound, apply very thinly...

IMO, if u got a flat surface of metal with nice finish no rust/oxide, proceed only to 1000, 1200, 1500 and 2000. Only go for 800 and below if it got deep scratches/uneven surface...

One question. How come TR didnt recommend to lap the base of ultra extreme? as we all know that the base was built convex... and the purpose of lapping our heatsink is to have a flat surface to achieve lower temperature.

This post has been edited by campsol2k: Nov 28 2007, 04:57 AM

TR didnt recommend ar? But making a flat ihs and the heatsink surface helps to cool the proc better. There are more contact areas if both are flat.

they have a reason for it being shaped the way it is.. their R& D team discovered that alot of procs around have concave or convex ihs. not flat. besides lapping a TR heastsink rearely gave me any improvement.. unless ur base is really scratched up

U will get better results if u lap ur HSF and ur proc IHS...

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Added on November 29, 2007, 7:44 amMetal polish acts as a abbresive.... It eats away a thin layer of metal on the surface...

This post has been edited by IcEMoCHa: Nov 29 2007, 07:44 AM

Well, if the ihs is convex and the tr heatsink is convex, wont it give a bad result?

been wanting to post this for awhile...but no chance to take pix... now got pix...so here it is

did this 3 years ago... my first ever lapping. took me 2 days...coz the nickle plate was an absolute b!tch to take off. dunno the temp difference coz the XP-120 was brand new when i lapped it .

lapped my XP-120 til mirror shine copper base. used to be perfectly shiny...now scratched already due to bukak pasang but the main important area which sits on the CPU is still shiny....the surrounding area i think is due to oxidation...need to re-lap again to get all of it shiny.


closeup (sorry for bad quality...camera sux if got bad lighting)

Thermalright XP-120 lapped copper base vs Thermalright IFX-14 STOCK nickle plated base

XP-120 (lapped)


VS.

IFX-14 (stock)


EDIT: lapped the XP-120 using 400-600-800-1000-1500-2000 grit sandpaper

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Dec 7 2007, 08:02 PM

Very nice lap indeed. How's the improvements?

Use some metal polish to get better results... metal polish = 3000Grit

@mADmAN

How much drop of temp u got after lapping to mirror shine?