E6600 lapping results

[Soul Colossus]

Lapped my E6600 today with this kit, good stuff and inexpensive.

Pics:

Getting the Scythe Infinity out of the P180s in and out without removing the board is a real ******.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/659/r0010031aw1.jpg

The HS after removing it.. you can see that there are some gaps in the contact between it and the IHS.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3007/r0010036cy1.jpg

You can see how concave the IHS was. I started at 800 grit since I didn't see any reason to be so rough, but it was taking too long. On to 400...
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7792/r0010035tt5.jpg

Various stages of lapping, from start to finish. 400 grit was a lot faster, then went back to 800 and to 1000.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2917/r0010038ez0.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2558/r0010039zo1.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1331/r0010040uq6.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3454/r0010041sm4.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6228/r0010042ry5.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1772/r0010043id1.jpg
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9798/r0010045xq6.jpg

The finer paper that came with the EasyPCKits package wasn't labeled in grit but in microns, like 40 microns and down from there. It didn't get the flawless mirror shine that I saw a lot of people get with 1200-2000 grit paper from the autoshop, but it was still flat nonetheless. The IHS is still highly reflective, just shows some scratches still. Having it absolutely perfect probably affects performance in no measurable way.. it just would have been nice

Trying a new (for me) method of applying AS5. I used to do what a lot of other people do, spread a thin layer evenly with a card or razor blade. I'm told this is a bit better as the line goes straight over the two cores, so I'm giving it a shot. I know it looks like I jizzed a ton on there but I had to smudge it around as it was uneven.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8268/r0010046wv1.jpg

System back in place, that thing is heavy and it sucks to unhook it and move it about.
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5405/r0010047xg7.jpg

Screencap of my OC and temps. Before lapping, on load it went up as high as 62C during the day. During most of Orthos it was 50-51C but I think it went down to 48 due to my room cooling throughout the night. The difference is quite excellent and it might get a little cooler once the AS5 settles. Idle temps are 40-42C both before and after lapping.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/460/screencapka8.jpg

This is the same OC I had before the lapping, I haven't had time to try and take it any higher. My voltage is set to 1.475 in the CMOS but this board notoriously vdroops by about .10v or so while on load which explains the 1.368v reading. I've been afraid to go higher than 1.475v (CMOS) since I wasn't comfortable with the 62C load temps from before, but I won't get higher than 400 FSB (8x multi) unless I do. With 9x I don't think I got higher than 360 FSB, which makes the 8x a better choice. I'd really like to get 400x9.. here's to hoping.

A few things worth mentioning: I wrapped up my CPU in scotch tape with the plastic back piece on to make sure no pieces of nickel or copper got on the back of the CPU. I used 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol to clean the CPU before and after lapping. While lapping, I didn't use any liquid of any kind; I read a lot of different opinions on whether or not to do it wet and I just decided not to so I wouldn't have to worry about it and it turned out fine. Maybe doing it dry is why I didn't get a perfect finish?

And the pics are mirrored here in case Imageshack goes down.

 

[lopri]

I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

Looking at the pics, Intel IHS is indeed horrible. I've heard they do that on purpose, does anyone know what the deal is?

 

[Raider1284]

I heard they designed the IHS to bend under a certain pounds of pressure. To protect the core perhaps?


I'm thinking of doing this lap job as well. I have my e6400 overclocked to 3.2 using a zalman 9500 and I'm idling around 52C and hitting 60C on load!! It's perfectly stable, but it's still a little troubling.

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

-!0C is a HUGE improvement though, so it's really tempting. Any ideas/recommendations?

 

[Soul Colossus]

Originally posted by: lopri
I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

It's reflective like a mirror, but as you can see in the later pics there are still a lot of scratches on it. I've seen a lot of lapped chips that literally look like Windex'd glass mirrors. Pretty irrelevant to performance though.

It took about two hours, listening to loud music helps . It took longer than it should have though since I started with 800 grit and should have done so with 400.

Originally posted by: Raider1284

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

Don't you void the warranty by overclocking?

If you're not careless about it and take the right steps, it's pretty safe and easy. If you don't have that plastic piece, you should see about borrowing one from someone you know or something like that. I don't know if you can safely tape up the bare back of the chip with the gold contacts. Perhaps you can use a little piece of paper as a substitute and then go liberal with the tape to get it sealed.

 

[khurios2000]

i think my cpu also has concave IHS,
got perfectly stable 3.2Ghz at 1.3v/memtest/orthos
but load temp was 65'c.

lapping the IHS will void the warranty...
this is really suck.

9x400, 1.4v crashed after cpu hit 80'c

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus

Originally posted by: lopri
I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

It's reflective like a mirror, but as you can see in the later pics there are still a lot of scratches on it. I've seen a lot of lapped chips that literally look like Windex'd glass mirrors. Pretty irrelevant to performance though.

It took about two hours, listening to loud music helps . It took longer than it should have though since I started with 800 grit and should have done so with 400.

Originally posted by: Raider1284

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

Don't you void the warranty by overclocking?

If you're not careless about it and take the right steps, it's pretty safe and easy. If you don't have that plastic piece, you should see about borrowing one from someone you know or something like that. I don't know if you can safely tape up the bare back of the chip with the gold contacts. Perhaps you can use a little piece of paper as a substitute and then go liberal with the tape to get it sealed.

The warranty issue with overclocking is that if a chip fails and you only adjust your FSB to get the CPU clock up, then it's likely that nobody will know that you overclocked it at all.

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus

Originally posted by: lopri
I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

It's reflective like a mirror, but as you can see in the later pics there are still a lot of scratches on it. I've seen a lot of lapped chips that literally look like Windex'd glass mirrors. Pretty irrelevant to performance though.

It took about two hours, listening to loud music helps . It took longer than it should have though since I started with 800 grit and should have done so with 400.

Originally posted by: Raider1284

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

Don't you void the warranty by overclocking?

If you're not careless about it and take the right steps, it's pretty safe and easy. If you don't have that plastic piece, you should see about borrowing one from someone you know or something like that. I don't know if you can safely tape up the bare back of the chip with the gold contacts. Perhaps you can use a little piece of paper as a substitute and then go liberal with the tape to get it sealed.

The warranty issue with overclocking is that if a chip fails and you only adjust your FSB to get the CPU clock up, then it's likely that nobody will know that you overclocked it at all.

It's still fraud.

 

[CCityInstaller]

Originally posted by: keeleysam

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus

Originally posted by: lopri
I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

It's reflective like a mirror, but as you can see in the later pics there are still a lot of scratches on it. I've seen a lot of lapped chips that literally look like Windex'd glass mirrors. Pretty irrelevant to performance though.

It took about two hours, listening to loud music helps . It took longer than it should have though since I started with 800 grit and should have done so with 400.

Originally posted by: Raider1284

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

Don't you void the warranty by overclocking?

If you're not careless about it and take the right steps, it's pretty safe and easy. If you don't have that plastic piece, you should see about borrowing one from someone you know or something like that. I don't know if you can safely tape up the bare back of the chip with the gold contacts. Perhaps you can use a little piece of paper as a substitute and then go liberal with the tape to get it sealed.

The warranty issue with overclocking is that if a chip fails and you only adjust your FSB to get the CPU clock up, then it's likely that nobody will know that you overclocked it at all.

It's still fraud.

Indeed it is, however I'm willing to bet that 85-90% of the member's here wouldn't think twice about RMA'ing a processor they knowingly o/c'ed.

 

[The-Noid]

I wouldn't because they are all lapped . I always end up paying through the ass to get ram that will take huge voltages so they are under warranty though. If ram fails it is RMA in a second

 

[JAG87]

lmao, sometimes ram will cost you more than the cpu...

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: JAG87
lmao, sometimes ram will cost you more than the cpu...

easily...especially as of late, but hopefully it won't be that way for too long.

damn college and my lack of available funds! i want to build again...

 

[Raider1284]

ya mine is hitting 64C on load as well at 3.2 using 1.325v, it appears to be totally stable, its just a little scary being that high. Think I could lower the voltage?

 

[khurios2000]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
ya mine is hitting 64C on load as well at 3.2 using 1.325v, it appears to be totally stable, its just a little scary being that high. Think I could lower the voltage?

what motherboard was used hitting 64'c?

 

[Raider1284]

p5b deluxe

is the p5b known to give inaccurate temps? cause the 9500 is warm, but its certain no where near feeling 64C! I would think it should be hot to the touch at 64C!

 

[khurios2000]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
p5b deluxe

is the p5b known to give inaccurate temps? cause the 9500 is warm, but its certain no where near feeling 64C! I would think it should be hot to the touch at 64C!

mine just warm, but not hot at all.

at stock (no OC at all, my 6600+p5b deluxe sitting at 64'c)
i tried to reseating the HSF (Scythe Ninja), but no change.

my last hope is lapping, but it will def void my retail warranty.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: keeleysam

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus

Originally posted by: lopri
I'd call that mirror finish. Geez.. How long did it take? Beautiful job!

It's reflective like a mirror, but as you can see in the later pics there are still a lot of scratches on it. I've seen a lot of lapped chips that literally look like Windex'd glass mirrors. Pretty irrelevant to performance though.

It took about two hours, listening to loud music helps . It took longer than it should have though since I started with 800 grit and should have done so with 400.

Originally posted by: Raider1284

The only thing that concerns me is ruining the warranty and possibly damaging the cpu. Is there much danger in doing this? I seem to have lost that black plastic back plate so I don't know what I should use to cover it, if/when I decide to lap it.

Don't you void the warranty by overclocking?

If you're not careless about it and take the right steps, it's pretty safe and easy. If you don't have that plastic piece, you should see about borrowing one from someone you know or something like that. I don't know if you can safely tape up the bare back of the chip with the gold contacts. Perhaps you can use a little piece of paper as a substitute and then go liberal with the tape to get it sealed.

The warranty issue with overclocking is that if a chip fails and you only adjust your FSB to get the CPU clock up, then it's likely that nobody will know that you overclocked it at all.

It's still fraud.

And how are you gonna prove that anyone overclocked it to break it? To me it's like if you ran your car past the speed limit and the transmission broke.

Plus why do you even care about a warranty that won't last until the chip dies? I've never had a CPU die on me ever...and if it did I'm sure the 1 year or even 3 year warranty wouldn't be useful at all.

 

[ingenue007]

my p5b says my chip idles at 59 and load at 78. i dont know what to believe. i have as5 and (temporarily) stock intel hsf.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: ingenue007
my p5b says my chip idles at 59 and load at 78. i dont know what to believe. i have as5 and (temporarily) stock intel hsf.

It's wrong most likely. I get some high temps too and I have a perfectly flat lapped IHS on my E6400 and use a Ultra-120 with a 104CFM Panaflow fan.

 

[khurios2000]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: ingenue007
my p5b says my chip idles at 59 and load at 78. i dont know what to believe. i have as5 and (temporarily) stock intel hsf.

It's wrong most likely. I get some high temps too and I have a perfectly flat lapped IHS on my E6400 and use a Ultra-120 with a 104CFM Panaflow fan.

yesterday, i tried to re-apply the thermalgoop (AS5),
as thin as and as neat as possible, guess what...
only the edge of the IHS that actually has contact with the ninja base.
id say 80% the IHS has gap with the cooler base.

 

[Baked]

Nice job man. I didn't lap my E6400 'cause it came pretty flat. The delta between idle and orthos is about 15C. What's your idle temp before and after lapping? I'm always interested in knowing people's idle and load times. I find the delta more interesting for some reason.

The temps will probably lower a few degrees if take the time to lap my E6400.

 

[Hiruko]

I'm idling at 50C and going up to 65C on load with Orthos running on both cores. I have a thermalright XP-90 heatsink. The airflow through my case is well done, in my opinion. I recently followed the directions at Arctic Silver's website by applying a line of thermal paste across the cores. It spreads evenly, and there are no gaps between it and the heatsink. My voltage is at 1.21V or so, and my FSB at 350mhz, and multiplier at 8x. I'd really like my temps to go down, but I haven't a clue what to do. Some people are getting excellent temperatures.

 

[Raider1284]

What voltage is needed to get the e6400 to 3.2 ghz?

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
What voltage is needed to get the e6400 to 3.2 ghz?

Depends. 1.275 for me.

 

[Raider1284]

that 1.275 set in the bios? or the actual voltage after vdroop?

 

[Baked]

1.275 in BIOS, 1.280 in SpeedFan and CPU-Z.