Chipped Core Life Expectancy

[Pitspawn]

I've got a 1.1Ghz AJFA. Its not running hot as I have good cooling (Temps are 36-38ºC Idle and 40-42ºC Load). The temps I quote are higher than what I've ever said before because I improved my thermal diode contact big time. But anyway, back to the post point.

Yesturday I took of my hsf to check a pals supposedly burnt out cpu. When I went to reassemble mine, I noticed that I had chipped a large piece of the left-top corner of my core off. My computer is running at same temps, same stability. Is it likely that I have majorly decreased the life expectations of my cpu?

[Colin]

Hard to say. Pull the chip out of the system. Scrub it with a toothbrush and dishwashing liquid, rinse and let it air dry. Then cover the top of the core with a piece of Scotch tap. Paint the damaged area with clear nail polish. This will seal the core and help prevent further damage. Right after applying the nail polish, pull the tap off starting at the corner opposite the damaged one. Just be sure you don't get any nail polish on the top of the core.

[JaY_III]

you should be fine
missing a part of the cores corner is not that bad....
just dont let it crack anymore
my copermine-128 has small chips...and a friends 1.1 t-bird aslo has a small chip.

its once you crack the center in 1/2 or get a large enough peice of the core to crack and the actuall transitors in the the core are broken. then you have a problem

just look at pics from review sites that take heasinks on and off all the time. Thier core also have some small cracks or chips on the sides/edges of the core.

[Pitspawn]

Im not taking my hsf off again to fix the core! I'll risk busting my cpu even more. If you saw what chunky hsf I had on my board you would scream.

I can only describe it as I dont have a digicam. I have a Hollow Core ThermoSonic and a 60-80mm adaptor which is about an 1" 1/2 and I have a 80mm Delta. All in all the hsf stands about over 13cm tall in my tower. If it was any taller, I wouldnt be able to put my case panel on :)

[fuzzba11]

Eeek! I just realized my core has chips all over the place! A few little ones in the middle, a little crater top right corner, and the top left corner chipped down! What gives?? Is it possible to get a new chip from AMD from this, or is it your own fault? Are HSFs the troublemaker?

[Hoot]

How's this for chipped. My trusty Duron 600, which still runs around 1124 Mhz just fine. Early in its life, I uninstalled and reinstalled an FOP-32E too many times, in cramped quarters.

Hoot

[Colin]

Hoot you could make the front page of that other hardware Site with that chip. Ouch! :D

fuzzball - You're on your own. It's the HS installers responsibility, not AMDs.

[fuzzba11]

Yeah, I figuired as much :p I just have to hope that my chip isn't dead, since I haven't had a chance to test it since my mb died...If it is, I'm going down to a dealer and asking them if I can see one of their 1 GHz chips ;) Then I'll go for the 1.33, then 1.4, as a last resort...I hope my parents don't mind paying!

[William]

most chips are ok. Just be careful though and only dismount and remount when you have to.

[fuzzba11]

Ok, good call...I had been changing the configuration of my HSF to achieve optimal airflow, and that must have happened somewhere along the lines. One question, about the nail polish/tape method, how can you ensure you're not getting nail polish onto the core when you have a chip near the middle?? Should I just do the chip on the edge(similar to the pic of the duron, but not quite as severe)?

[Colin]

I would stick to the edges only and check your work with a powerfull magnifying glass.