Hello all,

I just completed my first build since 2001. (ouch!) I went with the QX9650 and an IFX-14 too keep it nice and cool. When I opened the IFX-14 it was massive, but I was a bit alarmed because the base of the heatsink was far from flat and was not perfectly smooth either! I hear this is a common issue with Thermalright, but also may be intentional?! Can anyone confirm?

Whats also more alarming is that the heatsink can actually twist a bit on the cpu (easily in fact), but I have read similar concerns on this and I also noticed that it is so tall, when the case vibrates (walking by it, or on desk) the heatsink easily vibrates as well.

Does anyone know what kind of temperatures I should expect from this setup? I was trying to find what temperatures the qx9650 runs on average at idle and load on the stock cooler, but actually have not had much luck in finding many numbers. I am not over clocking anything.

When I am at idle the monitor(s) say the cores range from 32-38c and when it is at full load it will be about 44c on the first to and 50-52c on the second two. I have it in an ultra m998 case and if I take all the covers off the temperatures drop about 1 degree so I am convinced the case has proper airflow. I have one fan mounted in the middle of the IFX. (only one would fit!)

Does anyone know if these these numbers are normal, good, or suspect? Should I be getting better numbers from this cooler? I was thinking about mounting the stock one to try and compare, but thought users on here would know by heart. Thanks in advance!

General rule of thumb is stay under 65C for coretemps, you can't go wrong with that.

While Thermalright claims that they make the base concaved on purpose, it does more harm than good. You may want to lap it or return it for something else.

Saying that, I think you temps are just right about where it should be, so perhaps you don't even need to bother.

the purposely make the base concave to meet the IHS of the core 2 cpu from intel.but lapping both the cpu and heatsink will further enhance the overclocking potential!

If the concaved base fits perfectly with the convexed IHS, then contact area increases, thus better cooling than your typical flat surface to flat surface.

Problem is, it usually never fits right, so lapping both the heatsink and cpu does help.

From what I can tell, the cpu is flat. I put a razor blade against it and it was fine. The IFX has a noticeable bulge in the center noticeable by eye and confirmed by the razor. When i pulled it off there was actually more TIM around the sides than the center... grrrr. Sad thing is it cooled fairly well? I put a lapped TRUE on it last night and im getting similar temps? the TRUE hits about 45 on first two at load and 52 on second two. I am wondering if I should lap the IFX or not. I guess 52 at load is good for this cpu.

The temps seems perfectly fine to me. There has been cases where lapping increases the temps, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

What are your ambient temps?