Costly error / valuable lesson caused by stock AMD thermal paste
Costly error / valuable lesson caused by stock AMD thermal paste
These situations occur frequently, and I believe DIY projects often carry a risk of failure. I’ve never used the AMD paste before, and I’d have removed the socket retention lever to secure the CPU. It’s not ideal, but it’s a possible workaround. I think AMD didn’t provide clear instructions for removal, which is disappointing.
Incredible! The shop where I purchased the CPU has resolved the RMA with AMD and provided a full refund. What are the chances of receiving such positive news on a Monday morning?
You handled it well, taking responsibility. With two decades of experience you can confidently detach pins from a CPU. It takes a strong approach to force them off, especially when the stock adhesive has served thousands or even millions of users reliably. Even with a heat sink attached, bending pins isn't advisable.
The pin that detached when I attempted to adjust the bend pins was a single pin.
I experienced the same issue with my 2600. I forgot to let it cool down before using it. To warm it up properly, I placed it in the oven at 60°C. It’s easier to remove the heatsink when it’s warm. The best method is to start it without the CPU fan running and wait until idle temperatures reach around 60°C. This keeps the heatsink cooler longer before it cools down again.