BrandNew 2.4C still in plastic, appears scuffed

[ScissorClaw]

I just got my 2.4C in from NEW EGG (BOXED not OEM) and I opened up the cardboard outer packaging and was looking at the chip (still heremtically sealed in the inside packaging may I remind you), and it appears to be scuffed up. Here's how I can explain it. Ya know when you put a heatsink on a CPU with Arctic Silver and then later on you take the heatsink off, the CPU kind of leaves a square outline where the CPU was pressed up agains the HS? Well, this looks like someone used a small heatsink and it left a small square like scuffmark approximately 2.5 mm in from all sides on the CPU die . It's not AS at all. It is just an outline scuff mark, very noticeable, even more so at the corners. I hope that the description is okay, I'm terrible at descriptive writing.

I was just wondering if anybody else has ever seen this? Could it be from INTEL testing the chip out before it sends it on it's merry way? Should I RMA it before I open it, or open it, test it, find out if it's a good overclocker, and if not, then RMA it?

 

[ScrewFace]

No, it's not Intel testing it. Somehow a used or damaged CPU got in that packaging. RMA it if it doesn't work.:beer:

 

[ScissorClaw]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. However, it's still sealed up nice and tight like the way they always are. You would definetly be able to see if it was tampered with, and this wasn't. It would almost CERTAINLY had to have happened at the plant. Hmmmm, maybe they ran out of the regular 2.4C (NOT) and put a engineering sample in there for me....He He He He, how cool would that be. Of course, I could also win the lottery with the chance of that happening.Ahh, one can alwayd dream. It is weird though. I'll see what happens with it this weekend.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Who knows. Pop it in there and make sure it runs at >3 Ghz. If so, you have nothing to worry about .

 

[ScissorClaw]

Well, I'm gonna try in put that CPU on the board today to see how it fares. I'll just use the stock HS/F to see. Is it true that some folks are getting 3.0 with stock HS/F and normal voltage? I also still have to HS/F combo from the 3.0 that I bought back when they came out. From what I recall, I think that the HS/F combo that came with that CPU was rated for higher heat dissipation. Now if only I can find it. Wish me luck guys (and gals).

 

[HardWired]

ScissorClaw...what stepping is that chip?

 

[ScissorClaw]

It's a "D1" stepping from Malaysia. I went to cpudatabase.com and nobody has the FPO/BTCH# reported, L321A636.

 

[althes]

try it may be a good oc.

 

[sonoran]

Originally posted by: ScissorClaw
Is it true that some folks are getting 3.0 with stock HS/F and normal voltage?

Not entirely accurate - I'm running my 2.6C at 3.2GHz with stock cooling and normal voltage. Someday I'll get energetic and go back and apply thermal paste.

 

[Yourself]

Originally posted by: ScissorClaw
I just got my 2.4C in from NEW EGG (BOXED not OEM) and I opened up the cardboard outer packaging and was looking at the chip (still heremtically sealed in the inside packaging may I remind you), and it appears to be scuffed up. Here's how I can explain it. Ya know when you put a heatsink on a CPU with Arctic Silver and then later on you take the heatsink off, the CPU kind of leaves a square outline where the CPU was pressed up agains the HS? Well, this looks like someone used a small heatsink and it left a small square like scuffmark approximately 2.5 mm in from all sides on the CPU die . It's not AS at all. It is just an outline scuff mark, very noticeable, even more so at the corners. I hope that the description is okay, I'm terrible at descriptive writing.

I was just wondering if anybody else has ever seen this? Could it be from INTEL testing the chip out before it sends it on it's merry way? Should I RMA it before I open it, or open it, test it, find out if it's a good overclocker, and if not, then RMA it?

A good number of P4's will look like that. It's most likely the machining of the heatspreader. They don't do a very good cleaning up the edges after it's machined. I've probably gone through a dozen or so P4's in the last 6 months and many looked like what you describe.


Self