Thermaltake Heatsink modding.!!

[dazzaboy]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let ya's know about a neat little modding project for Thermaltake and other copper based heatsinks. This project is from the November edition of PC Extreme.

For the benfit of guys who havent read this article, it basically involves wet/dry sanding the copper base of the h/sink with varying finer grades of sandpaper and polishing to acheive a near mirror finish.

I've just tried this a few days ago and works superb.! I'm running an XP2600+ which used to idle about 53oC at 4000rpm fan speed but after 'modding' the heatsink it now runs at an idle of 41oC at 3300 rpm. Well worth the effort.

Has anyone else tried this.?

Cheers,

DaZ

http://www.organizedkhaos.co.uk

 

[pmonett]

I'm into watercooling myself. I have an Innovatec solution and my XP3000 runs at 2.3Ghz at a mere 35°C. The fan (a 12cm one) is on the aluminium radiator at the top of the case and is inaudible.

Pascal.

 

[dazzaboy]

Watercooling is a nice idea but unfortunately comes at a nice price too.

Cheers

DaZ

 

[pmonett]

Not untrue DaZ, but in the long run you avoid buying a new HSF every time you change CPU. That should count as savings for all us upgrade freaks.
If only watercooling had existed 15 years ago - I would've saved a bunch already !

Pascal.

 

[brandondaly]

Daz, you have discovered lapping. The principle is to smooth out the heatsink and provide a greater contact area with the cpu, whilst also removing the gaps that air bubbles may form in. You can also lap the cpu, gpu and if your pushing it the memory chips.

However with the improvements you have noticed I say that reseating the heatsink had the largest effect as a 12 degree drop from lapping is extrememe, with must people I know reporting a 1-3 degree drop.

Regds,
Bran.

There are only 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who know binary and those who don't.

 

[dazzaboy]

Hi Bran,

Yeah I know that 'lapping' alone couldn't result in a massive 12o drop and the guys who wrote the article I got the idea from in PCX, only had a drop of 5o.

I think a number of issues came into play here. The copper base is a LOT smoother than it was but I also cleaned a bit of old melted thermal pad from around the die which I didnt bother doing before so there you will have another few degrees. Also reapplied a smear of Arctic 3 compound.

Still well happy with results tho. )

Cheers,

DaZ

 

[paparazi]

And changed the motherboard? I understand.
So the measurements came from to differant sensors?
41C is nice going on an XP2.6+
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[dazzaboy]

True enough. )


Someone in here has been link snooping. LOL!


DaZ

 

[TheGoatMan]

I keep my tower outside. My temp varys on the weather. Don't worry its in a storage closet on a patio. The coldest I've seen for cpu was 29 degrees celsius. Meanwhile my system was at 19. If you have the means try it.

 

[paparazi]

It's nice to see your enthusiasm dazzaboy, thats what it's all about. Martin

PS
Your link in another thread, no snooping. :>)


Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[dazzaboy]

Room temperature (or better?) is roughly what you are striving for in system temp and GoatMans idea about using the PC in a cooler enviroment ie. covered patio, conservatory etc is a good one if you have the opportunity to do this.

I run my system in the back bedroom and have seen a good few degrees hotter running when the central heating is in use. )

Don't worry Martin, ya can snoop all you want mate.! You've kinda got the right with being the forums top expert.!

Cheers,

DaZ

http://www.organizedkhaos.co.uk