Is the chip toast?

American Gentile

Reputable
Feb 9, 2016
2
0
4,510
We just had the thermal paste replaced on an Intel Core-i7 x 990 extreme edition chip with 12 cores but when it was booted up afterwards, instantly two of the cores reported overtemp (80 deg C) Upon opening the computer case and lifting off the air cooler, it was discovered that the air cooler copper die never made contact with the top of the chipset, thus the processor chip was run with essentially no cooling.

The thermal paste was replaced and the air cooler correctly seated and the system rebooted.

Now unfortunately the temperatures reported from the cores are discrepant and up to a 30 deg F difference was seen, core 1 is running 21 deg F average hotter than all other cores and core 2 is running cold.

I have a feeling that thermal damage has been done to the cores and this chip is basically worthless now, for normal runs.

It would be very helpful to me to get some feedback on this. In the past, while running under 100% computer load, I never saw the core temps differing by more than 4 deg F although they were running very warm, around 149 deg F to 152 deg F

Let this be a lesson to all. (sob)

One last question, are there any Core I7 x990 chips out there with all 12 cores unlocked? This chip had all 12 cores working at 3.468 Ghz guaranteed. We need a replacement chip as soon as possible.

 
If the lid is distorted because they used to much pressure to clean the old paste off and you plan on trashing the processor and replacing it, you might see if lapping or delidding it will get the temps back down on those two cores. Not recommended for good parts unless you have some experience and disposable income, lol.
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
I think the entire line-up of "Big" workstation chips up through the i7-5920k and the like are all soldered.

Never did de-lid my i7-950, but there wasn't much need I ran out of stability way before I ran out of thermal headroom.