AMD: Am I commited to obsolescence?

[bupkus]

So, because I had 2 GBs of Corsiar DDR and a Thermalright XP-90 I just figured I'd get a 3800+ X2 and 6100 mobo and enjoy for a while lets say until Conroes and their motherboards become more mainstream and to be honest I figure the X2 would serve me well for atleast a year.

Anyway, I ordered both an then the nightmare came.

The Foxconn 6150K8MA-8EKRS arrived DOA, then when I went to remove the XP-90 it detached on one side only coming up on that side and still attached on the other. That was no cause for concern until I noticed the heatsink had yanked out the cpu bending some of the pins.

Anyway, I fumbled with a magnifying glass and a small screw driver and managed to straighten the pins enough to reinsert the cpu sans heatsink into the Foxconn.

THE TOPPER:
I just noticed that there are motherboards that will accommodate both a conroe and DDR and cheaply as well - note the ECS P4M890T-M2.

I don't know if I should return just the Foxconn or both that and the cpu and go for the C2D. I don't really care, personally, cause as I've stated, I think the Biostar 6100 would be an ok solution for my work and the performance difference wouldn't be so much considering the cheap ECS probably isn't much of an overclocker anyway.

I'm just wondering if once you've bent and straightened a cpu's pins if they could break or fall off easily and whether newegg would accept the return of the cpu and whether they would even notice any pin difference.
I suppose once I was able to reinsert the cpu into a 939 socket and it worked that it was ok and reliable.

Anyway, if you actually read this entire post, my thanks.

PS: I'm thinking of 86ing the ARCTIC SILVER 5 and using the less gooey paste that came with the Thermalright.

 

[Navid]

I have no comment on the motherboard or CPU choice. Others probably will.

But, what happened with the CPU could have been avoided.

First, never put too much thermal paste on the CPU.
Unfortunately, the thermal paste that comes on a new heat sink is always too much! So, you have no choice there if you are going to use it like that.

Whether you place just the right amount or too much thermal paste, when you want to remove the sink, you need to warm the paste. You can have the case open and ready and run some program like Prime95 to stress the CPU to warm it up. Then, shut down and remove before it cools down too much.

When you attempt to remove the heat sink after releasing the clip, wiggle the sink a little bit to loosen the paste. Never pull up right off the bat. After you wiggle enough and you feel that it is moving then try to lift it sideways very carefully.

If pins are bent, you have to be very careful. Do not use a screw driver. Use an empty mechanical pencil. Insert the bent pin inside the tip of the pencil and carefully straighten it.

 

[bupkus]

An empty mechanical pencil... ah, yes, excellent.

 

[Navid]

One of these you know!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_pencil

 

[bupkus]

Uhhh... what is a pencil?

Sing ever more slowly like a portable tape player running out of battery power.

Daisy Daisy,
Give me your answer do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet on the seat
Of a bicycle built for two !

 

[Ike0069]

Awhile back (when I had my first ever A64 CPU), I removed my HSF and to my horror saw that the CPU was still attached and some pins were bent. The key is to let the CPU get hot, then shutdown and remove the HSF before it has a chance to cool. If the paste is hot, it will release the CPU easily. It tends to have fairly good adhesion when cold.

You are definitely not the first person to have this happen. As long as you don't break any pins, your CPU will be just fine.

 

[bupkus]

As my mobo was DOA I had no opportunity to heat the cpu. However, should this event repeat itself I will be sure to get a second pair of hands to allow me to release all four of the heatsink's attachments before attempting to remove it.