Should I be worried for placing the CPU the wrong way?

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

Today I started building my first PC and when it was time to place the CPU on the socket, I accidentally placed it a bit sideways. So I gently took it off and placed it back on, this time correctly, and it went in perfectly (I think). Is there any chance that I've damaged the CPU? Keep in mind that I was doing this slowly and gently (when placing and taking off the CPU), I didn't apply any force. By the way, the CPU is a i3-6100, if that helps.

gokitty199 · Feb 10, 2017

what do you mean by a bit sideways? if it wasnt perfectly squared then it wouldnt have gone in the slot at all to bend any of the pins on the motherboard(i would think, i dont have a 170 board to see) so your more than likely fine

Supahos · Feb 10, 2017

Likelyhood of damaging the CPU is low. Bending board pins is possible. If you didn't try to latch the holder you're probably fine I'd you attempted to latch it you probably did hurt something

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

gokitty199 :

Well, it didn't really get in the slot, I was still holding the CPU chip when I noticed it. I didn't apply any pressure and took it off gently. Are the pins really that sensitive? Thanks for the fast answer btw.

weberdarren97 · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

If this is a PGA type socket (seen on AMD hardware), the CPU going into the socket on the second try is usually proof that it's not damaged.

If this is an LGA type socket (seen on Intel hardware), it's possible that you've bent some of the pins on the motherboard socket. Doing this would still allow the CPU to fit into the socket when placed correctly. It often seems to work perfectly until all of a sudden something goes wrong and cripples the system until the issue is taken care of. I call this the "almost working condition".

gman_97 :

If you didn't apply any pressure at all and held the CPU level in respect to the socket, it's likely that you didn't damage anything. However, the pins are very sensitive and are bent so easily that you might not even feel that the CPU has touched them until you've already bent them (I've done this).

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

Supahos :

I noticed my mistake the moment I made it, so the holder was still idle.

weberdarren97 · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

Likely not damaged, but damage is still a possibility.

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

weberdarren97 :

gman_97 :

If this is a PGA type socket (seen on AMD hardware), the CPU going into the socket on the second try is usually proof that it's not damaged.

If this is an LGA type socket (seen on Intel hardware), it's possible that you've bent some of the pins on the motherboard socket. Doing this would still allow the CPU to fit into the socket when placed correctly. It often seems to work perfectly until all of a sudden something goes wrong and cripples the system until the issue is taken care of. I call this the "almost working condition".

gman_97 :

If you didn't apply any pressure at all and held the CPU level in respect to the socket, it's likely that you didn't damage anything. However, the pins are very sensitive and are bent so easily that you might not even feel that the CPU has touched them until you've already bent them (I've done this).

Well, then I guess the only thing I can do is pray... Thank you for your answer.

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

weberdarren97 :

gman_97 :

Likely not damaged, but damage is still a possibility.

I hope my luck doesn't fail me. Thanks for the help.

weberdarren97 · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

weberdarren97 :

I hope my luck doesn't fail me. Thanks for the help.

Did the retention arm lower and latch properly and did the cooler seat without issue? Annoyingly poor quality mounting hardware doesn't count as a seating issue in my opinion.

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

weberdarren97 :

gman_97 :

Did the retention arm lower and latch properly and did the cooler seat without issue? Annoyingly poor quality mounting hardware doesn't count as a seating issue in my opinion.

Everything went in smoothly, I'm just worried about the pins.

weberdarren97 · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

weberdarren97 :

Everything went in smoothly, I'm just worried about the pins.

Give it power and observe its behavior. If something went wrong, it's common for the CPU fan to exhibit erratic behavior like screaming to life at full speed for no apparent reason or stopping and starting multiple times during POST. If this happens, quickly unplug the machine (you've got about ten seconds before permanent damage if you're lucky), take the CPU out of the socket and observe any damage.

Chicano · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

If the CPU didn't go into the socket, it probably didn't come in contact with the LGA pins. You'll know for sure if the computer boots normally.. or doesn't

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

weberdarren97 :

gman_97 :

Give it power and observe its behavior. If something went wrong, it's common for the CPU fan to exhibit erratic behavior like screaming to life at full speed for no apparent reason or stopping and starting multiple times during POST. If this happens, quickly unplug the machine (you've got about ten seconds before permanent damage if you're lucky), take the CPU out of the socket and observe any damage.

Will do. Thank you for the advice.

gman_97 · Feb 10, 2017

Chicano :

If it did, does that mean I'll have to get a new motherboard?

weberdarren97 · Feb 10, 2017

gman_97 :

Yes. Trying to bend the pins back to straight usually ends up with snapped pins, at which point the manufacturer will know you were fooling around in the socket and may not allow your RMA.

Chicano · Feb 10, 2017

Many people have managed to straighten the LGA pins using tools like jeweler's tweezers, an empty mechanical pencil, a pin/needle, etc. and a good magnifying glass. But hopefully you won't have to either buy another motherboard or straighten pins if the CPU didn't go into the socket. And even if it did, I doubt much damage can be done by the CPU as the CPU BGA (ball grid array) is the same on any position.. and if you were as careful as you said, damage is unlikely. Pin damage is more likely when people touch the socket LGA.

gokitty199 · Feb 10, 2017

Chicano :

i like using coffee straws, i used it to bend pins back on my usb3 header that was literally smashed against the end

Chicano · Feb 11, 2017

gokitty199 :

Chicano :

i like using coffee straws, i used it to bend pins back on my usb3 header that was literally smashed against the end

LOL... yeah but mobo header pins are huge when compared to socket pins.. so coffee straws are probably to large for them.

gokitty199 · Feb 11, 2017

Chicano :

gokitty199 :

LOL... yeah but mobo header pins are huge when compared to socket pins.. so coffee straws are probably to large for them.

true, i didnt think of that

Should I be worried for placing the CPU the wrong way?

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