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Lapping a GPU With an IHS?

X

XacTactX

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Dec 13, 2010
Messages
4,137
Hey all. As you may know, I just got a 6850, and I wouldn't dare touch it with sandpaper. But my tinkering itch has come back, and I want to mod something for fun.

If it were possible, I would like to pick up a G92 based GPU, and lap the IHS and get some cheap aftermarket cooling which I would also lap. I'd mainly like to do this for fun, and to see how good a job I could do.

Assuming that I get my hands on a GPU that has an IHS, can I lapp it the same way as a CPU?
 
You can, however its really hard to lap a GPU. with a CPU you can hold it and move the whole thing across sandpaper you have glued to the table/glass/whatever. Lapping a GPU is hard to do correctly because you need a sanding block and you cannot get clean flat swipes across the surface.
 
Also I would be afraid of sanding powder getting on any of the nearby components.
Tape could do the trick, but still risky, and bending a cap is easier than you'd think, doh!
 
mofo2136 said:
bending a cap is easier than you'd think, doh!
Click to expand...

I learned this the hard way. I was plugging in the DVD drive's power cord on an Xbox 360 at 6AM in the dark, and the connector slipped. I bent the capacitor above the power connector receptacle to a clean 45* angle. :eek: I'm still wondering if I can learn to swap components and replace the capacitor, or if I should just harvest the good stuff and ditch it.

I have two ideas on how to lap the GPU die. Could I use a sanding attachment for a drill and just spin it? IDK how difficult this would be, but can I desolder the die, lap it, then re-solder it in place?
 
XacTactX said:
I have two ideas on how to lap the GPU die. Could I use a sanding attachment for a drill and just spin it? IDK how difficult this would be, but can I desolder the die, lap it, then re-solder it in place?
Click to expand...

No and no. This is like asking "Can I cut my toenails with a chainsaw?" Sure you *could* do it, but you are about 100% more likely to just cut off a section of your foot. And for thinking this might be possible, I would suggest that you put a swift end to you quest to lap a GPU :eek:

Cliff notes: Don't lap GPUs.
 
ocellaris said:
No and no. This is like asking "Can I cut my toenails with a chainsaw?" Sure you *could* do it, but you are about 100% more likely to just cut off a section of your foot. And for thinking this might be possible, I would suggest that you put a swift end to you quest to lap a GPU :eek:

Cliff notes: Don't lap GPUs.
Click to expand...

Haha great analogy. It does seem like more trouble than it's worth to lap the GPU die. Thanks for helping me reach the "sane" conclusion without doing it myself.

The most hardcore thing I could possibly do then would be to lap the HSF. From the photos I've seen, the VF900-Cu has a relatively flat base, and no machine marks, although it's not 'mirror' smooth. I guess if I pick up a G92 on the cheap, I'll just lap the HSF and see if that helps.

Thanks everyone, especially ocellaris. :)
 
I actually started researching removing the heat spreader, and lapping the GPU, and found out that both are done by the enthusiast crowd. There's a guide here on lapping a GeForce 4, and someone else on a forum lapped an 8800GT. So my idea isn't that far-fetched. I'm just going to keep researching it, there may be a way. And I just might have fun in the process :).
 
XacTactX said:
I actually started researching removing the heat spreader, and lapping the GPU, and found out that both are done by the enthusiast crowd. There's a guide here on lapping a GeForce 4, and someone else on a forum lapped an 8800GT. So my idea isn't that far-fetched. I'm just going to keep researching it, there may be a way. And I just might have fun in the process :).
Click to expand...

Take pics and post them here :D
 
XacTactX said:
Dealio. Then while I cry in a corner for messing up a perfectly good GPU you guys can have fun too. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah if you go through with it do a thread on it for sure.

I was thinking maybe you could sand it upside down, possibly mounting the sanding implement with clamps or vise so that dust falls down and away from the board. Also maybe run a shop vac hose near it to further draw dust away from the board.
 
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