Dent in CPU cooler heatsink

VicVega1

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Jan 10, 2015
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Hi everybody!
I was going to change the thermal compound on mu CPU since I had about 4 to 7°C difference in core temps. As I cleaned the heatsink I noticed there's a small dent on one of the copper pipes (image below). The dent is small, and the cooler does it's job (temps won't exceed 60°C when gaming, 37 to 44°C when idle), but I always thought this surface is supposed to be smooth. Perhaps that's what's causing the core temp difference?
Should I RMA it or mount it back and forget about the dent?
The cooler in topic is a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. Here are some more shots: http://imgur.com/02HSfDa&XQPEQxf&hZEXvI8&CEyVLeL&Xqaey4h#0
XQPEQxf.jpg
 
Solution
Hi
It's just about possible if that dent was full of air that it was causing a hot spot.
I would try remounting it but I would put a small blob of thermal compound on that dent then scrape it smooth with a plastic straight edge (credit card) to ensure it was filled with compound and not air.
Hi
It's just about possible if that dent was full of air that it was causing a hot spot.
I would try remounting it but I would put a small blob of thermal compound on that dent then scrape it smooth with a plastic straight edge (credit card) to ensure it was filled with compound and not air.
 
Solution
That's what I was thinking. I'll try that and see what the results will be. Too bad I missed that when unboxing...

Edit:
Ok, I took another look at it and there was definately air inside that dent. there are no leftovers from the compund in it, it's clean as new..
 
Ok, I've spread the compund on the heatsink evenly (with a blob on the dent), put everything back together and after windows booted up I've got pretty even core temps (from 38 to 42°C). After about 10 minutes of prime95 stress testing I get 79°C on core 0, 76°C on core 1, 74°C on core 2 and 73°C on core 3. Is that acceptable or should I RMA the cooler?
 
yeah, you're propably right. Besides, there's always some difference in core temps since the first core is being used more than the others. Think I'll just stick with it, but keep an eye on things.
Thanks for the help!