Question on lapping my P4 CPU

[lowstandards]

read an excellent article in Maximum PC. They mention using sandpapers, water, etc. Now the article mentions to be careful and protect the pins from bending. and if water gets past the tape protecting the pins, to dry it up instantly. no problem. now my question is this: the Pentium 4 has a small hole in the top of the it (on the very surface you wetsand). The article mentions NOTHING about covering that hole! What the? Now won't water/sand particles get in this hole and mess things up?

 

[o1die]

The hole marks the direction of the cpu for installation. I don't know why you feel it's necessary to lap the p4 surface. It won't make that much difference in temps, and will make identification of the cpu difficult or impossible. You'll need that information if you ever file a warranty claim. I would lap only the heatsink surface.

 

[Cybercraig]

If you're going to lap your CPU you must cover the weep hole in the heat-spreader. Make sure it's out of warranty because you will ruin the warranty when the numbers are rubbed off of the heat-spreader. All this for a gain of 3C?

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[Mitch007]

If you see one or two degree Celcius improvement in temperature, then I'll be surprised, is this what you need to get that extra kick....

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[Mr5oh]

Wouldn't just removing the heat spreader be easier? I was under the impression you could remove these, then couldn't you use some artic silver to put it back on. The heat spreader obvisuly wouldn't be "glued" on at this point, but it should stay put after the heatsink is clamped down on top of it.

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[Cybercraig]

No, heatsink poppers put the AS-5 right on the chip and forget about the heatspreader. If you're that freaked out just get a watercooler and leave the heatspreader alone. I can't see the benefit in ruining your warranty for a lousy 2 or 3C temp drop.


Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[endyen]

2 to 3c might be all you need for an extra volt step. To some that would be worth it. I cant see getting that much though. If AS is used properly, 1/2 c would suprise me.
The hsf is a different story. They tend to have more imperfections. One of my favorites had a huge hole, you could redily see it, and a warp that was a few thou. Lapping that reduced temps by 4c.

 

[Cybercraig]

The stock heatsink puts enough pressure on that heatspeader to flatten it out like me on Paris Hilton. If you're using a Zalman things will be different. One thing for sure, if you lap a P4 heatspeader you might gain -8% in temperature but you will lose 100% of your warranty.

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot