Is it possible to ruin an AMD processor just by touching it or accidentally bending it's pins?

Question

I had tried to insert the AMD processor back into the the socket, but I bent them upon insertion (i forced them a bit). However, I didn't start the computer up with them bent. I managed to bend them back with a small pin. It now properly fits.

The reason I am asking this is because I think my motherboard just went dead, and I'm very worried my processor could have gone dead too. But the processor looks fine, no burn marks, etc. Looks brand new.

Answer 1

Touching it (lightly, or on top moderately) will not hurt it. Bending the pins is a bad idea though. You can sometimes manage to straiten them out, but they are finely engineered to conduct electricity very well (actually, they are plated with gold, as it is very conductive)

If you bent the pins, CAREFULLY and SLOWLY attempt to bend them back into uniform rows. I have dropped a processor before, but managed to save using tweezers. Be careful. The more you bend the pins, the more their structural integrity is weakened, and the more likely they are to snap.

As a measure, it is usually not a good Idea to take the processor out of its socket unless you are trying to transport it (selling it to someone) or are removing it.

Answer 2

It is very probable you will ruin any processor by bending its pins. Static can destroy a processor when you just touch it.

Be very careful with these; usually you are best off not handling these unless you are trained and have a decent environment in which to do it.

Answer 3

bending pins is always bad, they break very easily and even if they don't look broke, they have microscopic cracks in the metal that can cause the pins to break when they heat up. Touching a processor can hurt it if you aren't careful about static.

Answer 4

Touching the processor - probably not, but its likely to hurt you because it may be extremely hot.

Bending th pins - as long the pins can fit snugly in their respective slots/holes there should not be any issues, just be exra careful when remounting.

Answer 5

Yes, because you could cause static to zap the chip if your not grounded properly, and if the pins bend you may not be able to get the cpu into its socket.

Answer 6

Just by touching it - NO. Touching it while working - YES

Answer 7

uh yeah so dont touch them.