Cpu overheating
Cpu overheating
It's possible to reuse an i7-8700K after overheating, but it depends on the damage. If the heat was mild and the cooling system is intact, a fresh build might be worthwhile. However, severe overheating can cause lasting harm, so assessing the condition carefully is important before investing time and parts.
This structure was owned by my nephew, who constructed it recently. It was running very hot—close to 100 degrees—after he heard a popping noise. He didn’t attempt repairs but decided to install a fresh setup. He used the old tower for roughly a month before switching to the new rig, suggesting repeated overheating issues. He’s offering it to me for $250, as he can’t promise it will last long. I considered creating a new rig with just the CPU and replacing the rest.
If something went pop, it was probably the power supply or something, not the CPU. Idling close to 100 degrees means stop using the PC and fix it, I hope he knows that before he ruins something else. Either way, I bet there's a good chance the CPU is still good. At the very least, the ram and hard drive/SSD are still good, and the GPU if there was one, so tossing a new PSU (and if needed, mobo) into the same case is a good call.
This processor resembles a model from about two and a half years ago. Your nephew used it for a long time and it would get very hot, reaching temperatures near 100°C. Today's CPUs are designed to stop before such extreme heat causes serious harm. Just check the inside, dust it off, refresh the thermal paste, and possibly replace the cooling fan (Noctua is a good choice).