Which heatsinks don't need lapping?

smg1138

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Feb 12, 2009
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I'm looking at getting a heatsink and fan for my new E8400 build. I used to get Thermalright heatsinks and lap them a few years back, but I really don't feel like doing that now. Are there actually any heatsinks with a totally flat, polished surface or do they all have machine marks? I just want something that will work well out of the box. Anybody know of some that would fit the bill?
 

chjade84

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From my experience the Zalman 9500CNPS is nice as is the Vigor Monsoon III LT. Both have a finish you can see yourself in. The Vigor seems to cool my i7 better though it is ~$20 more.
 

smg1138

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Thanks. What about heatsinks that don't have built in fans? I've always preferred those because it's easier to replace a bad fan.
 
I've lapped heatsinks and cpu's. The CoolerMaster Hyper 212, which is a tower style cpu heatsink that can accomodate two 120mm fans, had a pretty flat base with a shiny finish. However, I could make out the circular machine marks.

I just remembered there is/was an online vendor that offered lapping as an option. Unfortunately I am growing old disgracefully and can't remember which one.

I had to think about this for a few minutes before it came to me. None of the cpu heatsinks really need lapping. A difference of 3 or 4 degrees isn't very much.
 

sontan

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I have a freezer pro 7. it can be bought for $20 and it cools my qx9650 like a champ for the past 6 months. the fan is external and can be easily replaced if needed. also, it is very quiet
 

anartik

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The whole idea behind the not so flat Thermalrights and others is that the CPU is not flat. If you use a flat heatsink or lap a heatsink it may make things actually worse unless you lap the CPU. I used an E8500 on my last build and a U120E. In my case the heatsink was quite flat but the cpu heat spreader was terrible and required significant lapping to get it flat. By the time I was done only a little nickel was left around the edges and the rest was bare copper. With the U120E lapping it and the CPU provides maybe 1-3C improvement.