Image on heatsink interface? [NOW with image!]

[jackofalltraces]

Hi guys!

Okay, my latest question:

I just inherited a Scythe heatsink, an SCINF-1000, if my Google-fu is working. Anyway, two questions:

1. The interface plate (in the photo) has the image of the warning decal on it. The copper doesn't FEEL like copper...it's too...smooth? It just doesn't feel right. You can see in the picture where I tried scratching at the edges to see if the plastic label was left on by the former owner and melted on. So - thoughts? My instinct is to grab the micromesh and lap the surface.

2. Anyone know how the Scinf-1000 Scythe compares to the Hyper EVO 212 for performance?

Thanks!
Jack

 

[jay32267]

I'd lap the surface. The thermal grease will take care of any imperfections.

You aren't going to hurt anything by lapping the surface....and there "could" be a coating or something on there.

 

[jackofalltraces]

I'd lap the surface. The thermal grease will take care of any imperfections.

You aren't going to hurt anything by lapping the surface....and there "could" be a coating or something on there.

That's kind of the way I was leaning - I've just NEVER seen an image embedded in metal like that without something weird going on.

I've lapped plenty of heatsinks, and when I'm done, there really aren't a lot of imperfections to speak of. Nevertheless, I always use a good thermal compound like Artic Silver.

Thanks, Jay.

Any other input, folks?

 

[BFG-9000]

I suppose it could've been some oily residue from the ink, that protected the surface from oxidizing better than the uninked areas as it's lighter. Normal thermal compound itself is pretty oily though, so perhaps the previous owner used liquid metal? Beryllium actually alloys slowly with copper into an amalgam (which is why liquid metals can appear to "dry out"), and oil would prevent that. That may also explain the slick feel too.

 

[jay32267]

I deal with thermal paste everyday at my job and one of the main benefits (for us at least) is it works great with imperfections.