(Editorial note: I think the root cause of a lot of the problems that occur is false male pride. There’s this myth that as a man, you are “supposed” to instinctively know how to make mechanical items work. Well, that’s not true. Some people have that knack, some don’t. In this particular situation, I don’t even see how instincts would help. How do you “instinctually” know the ceramic core of AMD chips is more brittle than Intel’s? How do you “instinctually” know the chip runs very, very hot and will destroy itself in seconds?
If you think “trial-and-error” is the best way to learn, will you continue to think so if it starts costing you $200 an error? Vendors are moving to dishonor warranties when you don’t install CPUs correctly; that’s why you’re seeing all those disclaimers about proper installation, and burn marks are pretty good proof of that.)
“They can’t do that!” Oh, yes, they can. “I’ll sue!” OK, now you wait months to years waiting in small claims court and add a legal bill to the new CPU you’ll have to buy while you’re waiting.
Wouldn’t it be easier to just take the time read up on it, and do it right the first time? –Ed
I work as a tech and we have plenty of Durons and Tbirds leaving everyday.
{The author works extensively with people building their own computers.}
The biggest problems I have seen have been due to customer incompetence! We have such a large number of AMDs coming back that our vendor has REFUSED to honor warranties on these chips! Rather than RMAing them to our vendor we now have to deal directly with AMD.
(Ed.note: I’m getting the impression from small vendors that AMD isn’t exactly flinging replacement chips out anymore, especially for OEM chips).
We have been able to reduce our returns by having our salesmen inspect the chips WITH the customer. We inspect the pins, core and then require their signature and the salespersons signature on the invoice itself.
Ed.note: “Reduce our returns” means you don’t get a new one for free when you show up with your mutilated CPU.
Back to customer incompetence… We now include a small slip of paper emphasizing the danger of heat and importance of proper HSF installation with every HSF we sell. We have moved away from the cheaper HSF in favor of bigger more radical designs. 🙂 We even include thermal paste with each HSF.
Even after all of that, I still have customers who build their own at home, completely ignore the detailed instructions, then come seeking 911 help from me.
Crushing has become less of a problem since our sales people have begun scaring people to death while explaining how fragile the core is.
The biggest problem now is the heat. These K7s are hot as shit!
I haven’t had one die on me personally, but I have witnessed many Tbird deaths in the past 3 months, even some AXIAs, sad as it is to say. I see morons come in here to get help wondering why their 1.2 Tbird won’t start using the HSF from their K5! Pull the HSF to see a nice AXIA with the blue melted off and a big black spot on the back.
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