Polishing CPU lids

[Evan Huffaker]

Looking at several CPU lids, they generally have some text on them, and the Nickle coating is not a mirror finish, characteristic of a polished surface.

From what I understand of thermal transfer, you want the maximum possible contact with the device in question, so technically, if you had the supplies, would polishing the lid of a CPU actually improve performance?

It would seem that, because of the process of polishing, you could damage other parts of the CPU, so it would probably be a good idea to remove the lid itself, then you could even add better thermal compound under the lid.

 

[Majestic]

Is this a question? Yes you can polish it with some commandant 5 or something. It's what I used.

[Evan Huffaker]

Does it make that much improvements though?

[Snipergod87]

Gamers nexus just did a video on this with the results its worth a watch

[geo3]

6 minutes ago, Snipergod87 said:

Gamers nexus just did a video on this with the results its worth a watch

It's really depends on if the IHS is already flat or not. If it's already pretty good it won't make that much difference.

[Damascus]

This is called lapping, take a look at the recent gamers nexus video

[SolarNova]

der8auer also done a vid on it. After 600 grit sandpaper its basically pointless.