Do I HAVE to lap the TR 120-extreme?

[beurling]

I'm buying my HSF today and I'm torn between the Zalman 9700 NT and the Thermalright 120-extreme. I know the thermalright is superior, but almost everyone I've talked to mentions that it has a concave surface that contacts the CPU. I am not comfortable with lapping the surgace as I would make things worse and I am too impatient to do so. The Zalman on the otherhand is already lapped and perfectly flat.

Is the TR 120 still superior if I don't lap the surface? Do I just use a little more compound?

Thanks!

 

[goodie]

check this out
http://www.cryo-laboratory.com/forums/reviews-guides/67789-thermalright-ultra-120-extreme-review.html
this thing is that good, that even after lapping there was no temp gains!

 

[cnumartyr]

check this out
http://www.cryo-laboratory.com/forums/reviews-guides/67789-thermalright-ultra-120-extreme-review.html
this thing is that good, that even after lapping there was no temp gains!

Speaking from personal experience, lapping dropped by temps by 2-3C at a minimum.

 

[beurling]

Cool thanks. I just didn't want the HSF isntallation to be any harder than it already is, having to lap it would just piss me off, lol.

 

[goodie]

im not saying lapping is a waste of time, i still think the ultra120 will well out perform a 9700,
if you want better performance again then maybe lapping is an option?

 

[Evilonigiri]

I read that the Zerotherm Nirvana beats the 9700 by a fair amount, and it even beats the Tuniq tower.

 

[goodie]

if you lap the TRUE does it still bolt down tight or does it become loose?

 

[cnumartyr]

It bolts down tight, it's not like you are removing that much metal.

 

[goodie]

are these TRUE's really as good as they sound?

 

[cnumartyr]

are these TRUE's really as good as they sound?

3.6 GHz Q6600 24/7 at 1.400 vCore with a 24C Ambient and 63C max load. (Lapped CPU/TRUE)

Enough said.

 

[goodie]

lapped Zalman9500 & Q6600 @ 3.24 1.30v (bios) 57 degrees load,
what d'you reckon my temps would be with a lapped TRUE?

 

[cnumartyr]

lapped Zalman9500 & Q6600 @ 3.24 1.30v (bios) 57 degrees load,
what d'you reckon my temps would be with a lapped TRUE?

Low 50s with a good fan.

 

[goodie]

think i'll have to order one of them beauty's!