Toast CPU by flashing BIOS?

[MV99]

I was jsut finishing my A7V333 system overclocking from 1.6G to 1.84G. I thought if I can raise the CPU voltage a little more I can do higher. A7V333 is capable of doing unlimited CPU voltage. However, owner wont be able to use it follow the instruction from manual. There is a hidden jumper for that function.

This was before I found the undocumented jumper (it is located around CPU socked which Abb1 helped me to find it) for getting unlimited voltage.

I thought it may be solved by update latest BIOS. I then use the ASUS update utility program download the file and flash it. Everything looked smoothly and after it finished, it told me to restart the machine. I did, and ended up with black screen. I thought I just messed up the BIOS chip which can be easily solved because I live 10 min from ASUS USA. So, I got new chip and still got black screen.

After some checking, I found it is cause by a toasted 1900XP (I did unlocked it but it was running stablely before the attemp on update BIOS).

Has anyone got a explanation on how in the world that CPU can be damaged by flashing BIOS? Any opinion will be appreciated!!!

MV99

 

[Oni]

Sounds like you used too much voltage, and it cooked it.

 

[MV99]

Thanks for the input. Maybe the high voltage was the cause.

The thing confuses me is that I do use powerful HSF (Thermalright AX-7 with 80CFM delta very loud fan) and highly modified case with 8 fans. Fully load temp is always bellow 40C.

When the incident happened it was just a reboot after typical BIOS flash. I really dont think the temp of CPU at that moment was abnormal.

I guess I will just call this "cost of getting enjoyment of overclocking"...

MV99

 

[Oni]

test the chip in another system and see if it works.

 

[MV99]

I have tried it on other system. Actually CPU was the last thing I tested because I never thought CPU was toasted.

It was confirmed that CPU is history. The place I bought the CPU is trying to see if I can get a replacement...which I highly doubt. But I do appreciate their efforts. I have got new 2000XP running at this moment.

Thank you very much for your advice.

MV99