CPU & Heatsink Lapping - Are concave, convex, or flat heatsinks best for cooling?

The video examines CPU and heatsink lapping with a focus on whether concave, convex, or flat heatsink bases provide the best cooling performance. It outlines the theoretical basis for lapping: removing surface imperfections, smoothing grooves, and aiming for a flat, shiny contact surface to improve thermal transfer. The presenter walks through a hands-on workflow, starting from gathering tools and a flat testing surface, to progressively sanding the heatsink with wet sandpaper across grits from 400 up to 2000, while maintaining controlled pressure and turning the heatsink between passes. He emphasizes the tedious nature of the process, recommends listening to audio or watching media during the rounds, and documents that early testing showed modest temperature improvements of only 1 to 5 degrees Celsius in some cases. Throughout, the video references external sources including Silent PC Review and community forums to compare results and reconcile differing opinions about the importance of surface curvature versus scratches. The narrative also discusses the practical takeaway thatASICs and directly contacting coolers often rely on flat mating surfaces, making the results potentially dependent on the specific heat sink design. In the conclusion, the host acknowledges that while lapping did not universally improve cooling in his experiments, the question remains nuanced and is best explored with broader community testing and shared experiences. He closes by inviting viewers to share their own results, pointing to the forum and article links for deeper investigation and discussion.

Topics · thermal management · computer hardware · pc cooling · science & technology