What is lapping? people keep talking about lapping there CPU. then i was checking a Heatsink and theres an option for a Heatsink Lapping?

so what does lapping really mean? overclock?

keeping it very short,
Most people when referring to lapping are talking about taking a high grit wet/dry sand paper and sanding the surface smooth of both the heatsink and the cpu.

I believe they also use a small amount of dish soap for some useful purpuse as well.

The jist is they are trying to smooth the surface and remove grooves and imperfections, increasing cooling efficiency. yada yada. chances are if you don't know what it is, you shouldnt consider it.

Lapping is when you sand the surface of your CPU and/or heatsink to make sure that it is flat. To remove any concave or convex of the surface

lapping is what you do when you're prepared to throw your cpu in the trash

I would NEVER lap a CPU. I have never seen a heatsink so bad that it would require lapping. (though if I saw one, I wouldn't hesitate to lap it.) Heatsinks I've seen have always been rather flat, I doubt rubbing out the machine grooves makes that much difference.

Speaking of which, even after lapping, you can really only expect a 1-3c degree difference. You can get this difference simply by removing the stock thermal tape and using quality TIM. Would probably cost less then buying sandpaper, time to sand it, and the lower quality TIM. Not to mention there is no risk of damaging anything.

For me, I view it as a waste of time. Unless you actually buy a heatsink where the bottom is as curved as Aunt Martha's glasses.

The only thing I lapped was an old (7 years ago) Thermaltake HS, it was convex. (kept moving on me, and had terrible contact) point of advice never lap the CPU, unless you don't want a factory replacement when it dies! (and it will) You also have to worry about sanding too much off (breaking through the shroud) which is really bad. But a good quality thermal paste (ie.. AS5, or ceramique, others can name more) will do more than the amount of time and effort it takes to lap the HS, and CPU.

Ive lapped 2 cpus (recently) a 4xxx and a q6600.
Intel make their heat spreaders concave for woteva reason.
Sanding them flat makes better contact to drop temps a LITTLE.

Basically... if you have to ask what lapping is, its not for you

lapping is a best way to drop from little as 5C and upto 10C on your current CPU and heatsink without invest heavily on a new piece of component.

by lapping the CPU and heatsink is basically want to achieve better thermal conductivity by having a larger/better contact area between the CPU and heatsink.

LMAO. somehow i agree with you.

I dont agree.
As long as u read the instructions properly and follow them, it shouldnt be that risky.

Removing the IHS is what you do when you're prepared to throw your cpu in the trash.

You can expect up to 70% fail rate doing that.

ACTUALLY i think royalcrown might be on to something

if you would ever wanna lap a cpu, you should do it about the time when its about to be replaced, JUST for practice lol

I lapped my hard drive, after you get through the sticker it's pretty easy. Oh, but be careful not to lap the circuit board, I don't know why but they say not to.

i lapped my RAM once... with a drill though