Check performance without thermal paste
Check performance without thermal paste
I own an OEM board and recently installed a new CPU. The socket matches, but I’m uncertain about compatibility. Should I just install the CPU and boot into Windows Safe Mode quickly to test if it works? Could this damage the board? My motherboard model is IH61m, and I’m upgrading from an Intel 2.3GHz i5 to a 3.7GHz i7. It should support 3rd generation with my BIOS Q2 2013, though it’s still a remanufactured unit, which makes me unsure. I don’t want to repeatedly install the CPU if it doesn’t work.
It should function, though it may stop temporarily for safety reasons. Avoid using thermal paste; instead, purchase a Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut pad. https://www.thermal-grizzly.com/en/produ...rbonaut-en
If you're looking to cause some damage, just use it—just be aware it’ll hurt eventually.
I’ll just post but I don’t think it’s worth going further. It shuts down by itself, but the real question is how can I get that hot CPU out of its socket? The retention and the area around it will also get extremely hot. I’ve tried adjusting voltages and clock speeds on an LGA 775 Pentium before—using a fan helped at around 2GHz with 0.85V, but Prime95 hit ~80°C. Still, taking the CPU out is tempting because it’ll be very hot. Why would you want to skip thermal paste? You probably want to see if the CPU boots up, which means it’s not dead (though rare, it can happen). Usually it’s just old debris on the pads. I don’t see a need to open Windows for this. Thermal paste is inexpensive—30g of GD900 costs about $2, while GD007 is cheaper at around $4. It might be a better option, but maybe I just got a bad batch.
I won't recommend trying it without TIM either. If it posts, it means it works—no need to manually check the OS. To verify correct functionality, you'll have to boot the OS and rely on TIM, which might be necessary. Failing to use TIM could lead to it being flagged as a dead chip quickly. Although unlikely, if it doesn't shut down properly for thermal reasons, it might trigger an emergency shutdown before you realize it. Such issues can stem from faulty or inaccurate sensors in the system. In summary—avoid it.
The processor includes built-in heat safeguards, ensuring safety. You can verify functionality without starting Windows. Removing thermal paste is straightforward.