returning cpu at fry's

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AtenRa

Lifer
Feb 2, 2009
14,003
3,362
136
I would first talk with Intel directly explaining everything and see what they will say.
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 13, 2008
8,223
3,131
146
Does the CPU still work? If so, just keep it and use it.
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,622
2,024
126
Of course it still works, i just sand down a little. I'm going to keep it.

Intel tests those processors three times thoroughly before they pack them in retail boxes. You would only ever need to have a 3-year-warranty if you abused the processor with excessive voltage and heat. Otherwise, it should last ten years. And if you abused the processor, technically it would void the warranty. The real question: whether or not the processor will ever fail during the first three years, and the best answer is -- no, it won't.

If you plan to resell it, you can candidly explain what you did with the sandpaper and why. You would also explain how you might have "abused" the processor, but you likely won't do that -- either explain it or abuse it.

As IDontCare said in an earlier post, it's up to you if you simply wish to lap the processor with wet-or-dri sandpaper to make it absolutely flat and grind off all the nickel-plate to bare copper and improve heat transfer slightly.

But if you just scratched off some of the identifying information by using sandpaper to clean the heat spreader, you might still salvage your warranty (if you ever need it at all).

Me? I lap those suckers flat until the heatspreader shows only bare copper. I might just hesitate doing so if I had a $1,000 5960X. Have to think about it some more. But that's probably why I'll likely buy the 5820K instead.
 
Dec 30, 2004
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The first CPU I ever sanded was a $40 celeron, used purely for a learning vehicle because the second CPU I ever lapped was my $1500 QX6700.

Both survived the lapping. However, the QX6700 did not survive the effects of prolonged and repeated exposure to water/condensation that came with 2+ years of near 24/7 vaporphase cooling. The chip died and I moved on to a 2600K.

Personally I say just do it. YOLO. Am willing to bet you will spend far more than $1K on wine/alcohol and fine dining with steaks and seafood over the next year or two than you spend on your processors. At least I hope you do, I intend to ;)

I thought you said it was frozen and only became a problem after you let it thaw to clean it off
 

IBuyUFO

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,717
0
76
Why would you remove the CPU from the socket just to remove the TIM from the top of the IHS? Your process sounds like a lot of work to me. I always clean off the TIM while the CPU is firmly locked into the socket.


The only reason you would remove the cpu from the socket is to prevent the thermal paste from sticking all over the side and making a mess.