possible damage to CPU? =[

jepherz · Jul 26, 2008, 06:30 AM

i got a Q9450 and its kinda hot, so i bought a new HSF and also had a pair of ram coming. The ram came while i was in the process of replacing the HSF, so i decided to test the ram first before replacing both parts, that way I wouldn't have to guess whats wrong with the computer if it doesn't work after changing both parts. So, i changed the rams and plugged it back in, went into the bios to see somethings, restarted, got into ubuntu's login screen, and clicked the shut down button. Then the screen turned funny colors and the system started beeping like crazy. I then looked at my open computer case and noticed I forgot to plug back in the CPU fan to the mobo...the system was on for 5-10 minutes, I didn't go into the operating system. do you guys think it could have possibly been damaged?

procupine14 · Jul 26, 2008, 06:47 AM

there is a possibility of that. However, there is no way of knowing other than starting it up again and testing it. Most new processors are able to throttle down in order to avoid damage caused by overheating but sometimes these thermal sensors don't function properly and end up allowing the CPU temp to climb past the danger zone. So I would say there is a good chance everything is fine but there is a chance that something is fried

[hobo]eclipse · Jul 26, 2008, 06:50 AM

well my obvious 1st ? is did it start back up and boot OS after you plugged the fan in?

were any of the bios safety options on? the speed step or the temp. shut down threshold?

PangingJr · Jul 26, 2008, 07:01 AM

a lot of things came to my mind during reading OP post, should i ask you why you did that or should i say something that will comfort you? and more.

anyways, if i were you i would not worry too much about the CPU anymore, and just try reinstall all the things properly again, and just see what happens?

jepherz · Jul 26, 2008, 07:16 AM

i was in the middle of changing the HSF, then my dad handed me my package of ram that i'd ordered from newegg. so i decided to test the ram first knowing that the system is working perfectly, if the system fails after the ram changed, id know its the ram thats doing it. if i changed the hsf and the ram, i might have done something wrong during the process, then i wouldn't know if its the processor or ram thats screwing up the computer. that was my thinking atleast, so thats why i changed the rams and started up the computer. i forgot to replug the cpu fan... i didn't touch anything in the BIOS. the computer was recently built and i had to flash the BIOS for it to support my CPU. it suggested that after flashing, i pick "load optimized settings" in BIOS. i did that, and i don't know what those settings are... I didn't restart the computer...I quickly unplugged everything and put my computer next to a fan...lol =D now im changing the HSF...i should have replugged it before doing this... when i look at the CPU though, i notice the top where the stock thermal paste is, the outer circle of the paste has left an outline on top of the CPU, is that a result of overheating, or does that always happen? I wipe it with a lint free cloth at 91% alcohol, but that outline remains there...

[hobo]eclipse · Jul 26, 2008, 07:36 AM

that mark is defiantly a sign of heat but doesn't mean the CPU is now bad. plug EVERYTHING in and boot her up.

PangingJr · Jul 26, 2008, 11:38 AM

if that was mine i would have to think that 99% chance the CPU is still okay.
and you will be okay too.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 28, 2008, 05:53 AM

That mark is usually what happens when paste is on the CPU and gets all hard and crusty. I'd not worry.

procupine14 · Jul 28, 2008, 05:55 AM

yeah if discoloration to the heat spreader is your only issue then it should be fine.

Jul 26, 2008, 06:30 AM	#1
jepherz HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 117 Rep Power: 0	possible damage to CPU? =[ i got a Q9450 and its kinda hot, so i bought a new HSF and also had a pair of ram coming. The ram came while i was in the process of replacing the HSF, so i decided to test the ram first before replacing both parts, that way I wouldn't have to guess whats wrong with the computer if it doesn't work after changing both parts. So, i changed the rams and plugged it back in, went into the bios to see somethings, restarted, got into ubuntu's login screen, and clicked the shut down button. Then the screen turned funny colors and the system started beeping like crazy. I then looked at my open computer case and noticed I forgot to plug back in the CPU fan to the mobo...the system was on for 5-10 minutes, I didn't go into the operating system. do you guys think it could have possibly been damaged?

Jul 26, 2008, 06:47 AM	#2
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	there is a possibility of that. However, there is no way of knowing other than starting it up again and testing it. Most new processors are able to throttle down in order to avoid damage caused by overheating but sometimes these thermal sensors don't function properly and end up allowing the CPU temp to climb past the danger zone. So I would say there is a good chance everything is fine but there is a chance that something is fried __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jul 28, 2008, 05:55 AM	#9
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	yeah if discoloration to the heat spreader is your only issue then it should be fine. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jul 26, 2008, 06:50 AM	#3
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,897 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	well my obvious 1st ? is did it start back up and boot OS after you plugged the fan in? were any of the bios safety options on? the speed step or the temp. shut down threshold?

Jul 26, 2008, 07:01 AM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	a lot of things came to my mind during reading OP post, should i ask you why you did that or should i say something that will comfort you? and more. anyways, if i were you i would not worry too much about the CPU anymore, and just try reinstall all the things properly again, and just see what happens?

Jul 26, 2008, 07:16 AM	Thread Starter #5
jepherz HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 117 Rep Power: 0	i was in the middle of changing the HSF, then my dad handed me my package of ram that i'd ordered from newegg. so i decided to test the ram first knowing that the system is working perfectly, if the system fails after the ram changed, id know its the ram thats doing it. if i changed the hsf and the ram, i might have done something wrong during the process, then i wouldn't know if its the processor or ram thats screwing up the computer. that was my thinking atleast, so thats why i changed the rams and started up the computer. i forgot to replug the cpu fan... i didn't touch anything in the BIOS. the computer was recently built and i had to flash the BIOS for it to support my CPU. it suggested that after flashing, i pick "load optimized settings" in BIOS. i did that, and i don't know what those settings are... I didn't restart the computer...I quickly unplugged everything and put my computer next to a fan...lol =D now im changing the HSF...i should have replugged it before doing this... when i look at the CPU though, i notice the top where the stock thermal paste is, the outer circle of the paste has left an outline on top of the CPU, is that a result of overheating, or does that always happen? I wipe it with a lint free cloth at 91% alcohol, but that outline remains there...

Jul 26, 2008, 07:36 AM	#6
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,897 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	that mark is defiantly a sign of heat but doesn't mean the CPU is now bad. plug EVERYTHING in and boot her up.

Jul 26, 2008, 11:38 AM	#7
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	if that was mine i would have to think that 99% chance the CPU is still okay. and you will be okay too.

Jul 28, 2008, 05:53 AM	#8
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	That mark is usually what happens when paste is on the CPU and gets all hard and crusty. I'd not worry.