CPU left square imprint on heatsink

[tomsresults]

I have an Intel i7 2600K and a Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme

I think I may have tightened the HSF too much because it now has a square CPU-based imprint on the base. It looks like four scratches forming a square on the base, which is made of alternating strips of copper (heatpipes) and aluminum.

Is this a bad thing? Should I try lapping them out?

 

[acer0169]

Jesus how tight did you put it!?

Is the imprint actually able to be felt if you run your finger over it?
Or is it simply scratched?

 

[geekapproved]

It's not uncommon for metal to scratch metal when they make contact. What are you worried about?

 

[tomsresults]

The square-shaped scratch marks could not be felt with my finger, but they marred the "mirror-like" finish of the Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme heatsink. Note when I say mirror-like I really mean "shiny". You could see a reflection on the base in but the reflected image had tiny distortions and ripples everywhere so I think the surface was more cosmetically polished than truly flat.

A few minutes with 600 grit sandpaper took out the scratches I was concerned about. Or rather, it completely obscured them with bigger, much more noticable scratches. I guess the original scratches were minor after all.

In any case, nothing I do seems to affect my temps one way or the other and I have reseated this like 5 times with Arctic Silver 5. Maybe if I get a hold of some high-grit (800/1000+) sandpaper it might make a difference. With i2600K at 4 GHz I got 63C typically and 69C absolute maximum (a fleeting value on one core) using Prime 95 and Real Temp for 7 hours last night. The CoolerMaster Excalibur 120mm fan I put in this heatsink was turned down to run quietly at 1300 rpm or so.

 

[wolfram23]

You used 600 grit paper on it?? You most definitely should read some lapping guides... and it's not easy if you've never done it before. In fact it's pretty likely to wreck your mating surfaces. 800, 1000, and 1500 or 2000 for finish.