I placed the heatsink at an angle

[forumposter32]

Does this mean my chip is ruined? I didn't turn it on since my power supply has not arrived yet.
Now it's properly placed.
What kind of error messages would I get if it is ruined?

 

[lansalot]

All sorts. All you can do is seat it correctly and turn it on. Only way you'll find out for sure.

The thermal shutdown (if chip is within a couple years old) should have prevented it cooking however, I'd imagine you will likely be OK.

 

[helpmeout]

Since you didn't power up the computer, the cpu would not have been damaged by overheating. However, when you removed the heatsink and replaced it correctly, did you clean both the heatsink and the cpu thoroughly to remove the old thermal paste? New thermal paste must then be applied following the manufacturer's directions.

 

[forumposter32]

It was a brand new heatsink with thermal pad and a brand new CPU.
Would I still need to take it off and replace the thermal pad with thermal grease?

 

[imported_booradley]

Wait.. you never turned it on, but you are wondering if its ruined? Am I the only one missing something here?

 

[helpmeout]

If you joined the heatsink and cpu incorrectly, and then separated the two parts, I believe you definitely should replace the manufacturer's thermal pad with thermal paste.

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: booradley
Wait.. you never turned it on, but you are wondering if its ruined? Am I the only one missing something here?

Well, I read somewhere the die could crack. I don't know if it did and I don't know if I could see that if I would lift it from the socket and look at it.

BTW, I thought the thermal pad will "melt" into place when heated. So, if it hasn't been heated yet, then I shouldn't replace it right?

 

[mechBgon]

The unmelted thermal pad is soft, so that helps reduce the likelihood of cracking the die. Since it's unmelted up 'til now, and is properly oriented, go ahead and fire it up while thinking optomistic thoughts at it 😀