CPU pin vulnerability and cooler suction during installation

kistomi01 · July 31, 2021

My setup: Asus strix B550-f, Noctua nh-u12a, ryzen 9 5900x

This is my first build so I'm kinda paranoid, thought I might ask this here.

When installing the cpu I was slowly lowering it to the socket but didn't pay attention to the open handle of the socket and the bottom of the cpu touched it Once placed on the socket the cpu easily found its way inside.

Then, when I was installing the cooler to my cpu I wanted to make sure I applied just the right amount of thermal paste so I wanted to remove it.

After I unscrewed it I noticed that the cooler it stuck to the cpu so I carefully started prying its handles (where the screws are) with my fingers, using small motions.

It came off nice and clean and the cpu remained inside its socket as it should - but it gave a horrifying suction sound when the thermal paste finally gave in.

I'd like to ask you that do you think the pins or the cpu took damage due to these events? AMD pins are very fragile as far as I know. The machine turned on and all cores / memory units are recognized.

IkeaGnome · July 31, 2021

From how gentle it sounds like you were being, there's more than likely nothing wrong with the CPU. They're tougher than you think. Bend a pin? Grab a razer blade or credit card and bend it back.

As far as the suction of the cooler goes, try a twisting motion next time. Just twist and lift the cooler. AMD CPUs can get pulled out of the socket with the cooler and twisting helps break the suction a little bit. Especially after the cooler has been on for a while.

Quackers101 · July 31, 2021

the pins are not exactly fragile, but very exposed which I guess could make it more fragile for certain damages or impacts.

It can handle some force though, just dont hit it or drop it from some decent amount of height.

kistomi01 · July 31, 2021

Thanks for the replies, next time I'll definitely twist the cooler a bit. It's just when I heard the suction my life was flashing before my eyes

If there were any issues with the pins the cpu wouldn't have fallen in its socket that easily right? Also, are cpus "all in" in a sense that they either work (machine turns on, all cores and memory recognized) or don't (doesn't even turn on, obvious issues early on)?

Quackers101 · August 1, 2021

53 minutes ago, kistomi01 said:

Thanks for the replies, next time I'll definitely twist the cooler a bit. It's just when I heard the suction my life was flashing before my eyes

If there were any issues with the pins the cpu wouldn't have fallen in its socket that easily right? Also, are cpus "all in" in a sense that they either work (machine turns on, all cores and memory recognized) or don't (doesn't even turn on, obvious issues early on)?

If placed correctly the CPU will work and should have contact *pins to the socket*. If the pin is broken the pin has to go somewhere, if it's not fallen off, or just a little bent it might still fit without issues or hard to fit at all if it's not fitting. If it does fit, there shouldn't be too much issues and if you can start it up normally for the PC.

As for PC issues, there are a lot of stuff that can go right or horribly wrong, some that might take time.

If you have some error LEDs on the motherboard or number panel, it might make it easier or worse to understand (confused as to why). Also when you got BIOS stuff to do with AMD RYZEN and might go through some boot loops etc. but if everything works smoothly and you are able to get into the BIOS and to BOOT into OS (windows/linux etc) then you should be fine.