CPU i7 950 scratch/dents, What kind of damage??

[2i0]

Hi
im replacing the intel-stock-heatsink with CM 212+, after

cleaning the thermal grease with isopropyl-alcohol(99%),

q-tips,lint-free cloth i noticed some scratch/dents on the cpu, i

want to identify what kind of damage has. some pics below:

http://www.stooorage.com/show/974/3286671_i7-950-1.jpg

http://www.stooorage.com/show/974/3286680_i7-950-2.jpg

http://www.stooorage.com/show/896/3286686_i7-950-3.jpg

could be a pressure dent of the j-level down motherboard(Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R) or scratch of intel heatsink??

 

[hunter315]

Looks like the heatspreader got scratched and had a small chunk taken out by the heatsink, its not an issue, it didnt even go all the way through so the electronics inside are completely unharmed.

 

[Ubrales]

Yes, it does look like marks from a heatsink base.

Personally, from a heat transfer standpoint, I don't think it will make much of a difference negatively.

However, to satisfy yourself, you can polish the CPU heat spreader a little bit. No need to go all the way and polish the entire area. BTW, polishing is erroneously referred to as 'lapping'. Lapping an area the size of the CPU base CANNOT be done manually. Lapping is a combination of surface finish AND flatness, and requires high precision, expensive lapping machines. Polishing will improve the surface finish as well as the flatness to an acceptable extent.

To polish, start out with a surface like a glass table top. Tape a sheet of 1200 grit silicon carbide abrasive paper (aka wet or dry). Put 4 or 5 drops of water in the center. (The scratches/marks have voided the warranty anyway).

Gently, with light downward pressure (maybe 2 to 4 ozs.) move the CPU heat spreader base in a back and forth motion. After about 20 strokes, re-orient the base 90 degrees and continue for another 20 strokes. Then re-orient to 45 degrees and repeat the stroking.

You will notice that the corners (high spots) are getting polished (ground) away.

Continue until about 60% to 70% of the area is polished. The area will be rendered flatter than before. There is no need for a 'mirror' finish.

Re-install the heatsink using AS5 or equivalent (or better) thermal compound.

Everything will be fine!

 

[2i0]

thanks for the quick answer, inside looks fine, i was remembering when I had some difficulties with the J-level-down a little hard pressure.

 

[Ubrales]

thanks for the quick answer, inside looks fine, i was remembering when I had some difficulties with the J-level-down a little hard pressure.

Those clamp down levers take quite a bit of force.

 

[das_stig]

Thermal paste will fill the dent to make a clean seal.