Checking if you should sand or polish your CPU and/or heatsink depends on your specific needs.
Checking if you should sand or polish your CPU and/or heatsink depends on your specific needs.
I’m considering upgrading an Intel Core i7 5930k to 4.25 GHz with a Corsair H115i, mainly because I don’t want to deal with custom loops. I read their guide on http://us.hardware.info and thought it was thorough, but I’m unsure if cutting just a few degrees will make a real difference or if it’s just a trick.
I wouldn't recommend it, particularly with a high-quality chip. I wouldn't attempt this without a milling machine and a grinding tool, since manually sanding it could result in an uneven surface.
Lapping a CPU heat spreader voids its warranty, which is the most significant drawback of all! I disagree with Robert Cook's comment, but he did mention he wouldn't do it. A completely flat surface can be easily achieved if you understand what you're doing and work on a genuinely flat area, such as a glass sheet. That’s the method I follow when I lapping surfaces. The link you shared clearly explains the process, so you already have that information. I recommend in the future not to rely solely on the first response, or you might overlook important details—many of us here at Toms only answer questions that are fully answered.
Whitunga:
I'm planning to upgrade my Intel Core i7 5930k to 4.25 GHz using a Corsair H115i, mainly because I don't want to deal with custom loops and it's a bit risky. I found this suggestion on http://us.hardware.info, and their guide looks thorough, but I'm unsure if reducing just a few degrees will make a real difference or if it's just a trick.
Don't rush a new CPU—allow it 3 to 6 months in your system to confirm it's a solid chip. If you still sense a slight temperature difference, consider adjusting it further. Many enthusiasts think a mirror polish is essential, but I don't agree. Simply removing the aluminum and exposing the copper underneath will provide most of the advantages. With our use of thermally conductive paste, two perfectly flat surfaces aren't strictly required.
This thread is now almost three years old since the final update.