[SOLVED] "A CPU is either working or dead" true or false

[I do not know 1 2 3]

Gonna buy used processor soon and just wanna know if the phrase above is true. lol.

 

[Darkbreeze]

True, and false. It depends on WHY it isn't working.

If something is actually wrong with the CPU itself, then no matter what is wrong with it, it isn't worth a penny. It can't ever be "fixed" and it will cause you no end of problems and most likely whatever IS wrong is not going to be the last thing wrong with it. Once failures start on PC hardware the writing is on the wall, in large print.

If it's some OTHER reason than the CPU itself causing the CPU to throw codes, like a bad board, faulty memory, lack of support in the installed BIOS version, and so on, then it's false, because it's not actually the CPU.

There is never a case where the CPU is just "a little bit broken". If something is wrong with it, everything is wrong with it, unless it's a bent pin like on some AMD processors and even then, only if it can actually be straightened which is a real crapshoot to do without breaking it off.

Even if it was only five bucks, might as well just spend it on something actually worth five bucks, like a gallon of milk or gas in your tank.

And actually, there is an exception, because I've seen CPUs lose their integrated graphics but everything else continue working normally, but even then I wouldn't invest in one because if that failed then other failures are probably imminent too sooner or later.

 

[I do not know 1 2 3]

True, and false. It depends on WHY it isn't working.

If something is actually wrong with the CPU itself, then no matter what is wrong with it, it isn't worth a penny. It can't ever be "fixed" and it will cause you no end of problems and most likely whatever IS wrong is not going to be the last thing wrong with it. Once failures start on PC hardware the writing is on the wall, in large print.

If it's some OTHER reason than the CPU itself causing the CPU to throw codes, like a bad board, faulty memory, lack of support in the installed BIOS version, and so on, then it's false, because it's not actually the CPU.

There is never a case where the CPU is just "a little bit broken". If something is wrong with it, everything is wrong with it, unless it's a bent pin like on some AMD processors and even then, only if it can actually be straightened which is a real crapshoot to do without breaking it off.

Even if it was only five bucks, might as well just spend it on something actually worth five bucks, like a gallon of milk or gas in your tank.

And actually, there is an exception, because I've seen CPUs lose their integrated graphics but everything else continue working normally, but even then I wouldn't invest in one because if that failed then other failures are probably imminent too sooner or later.

Speaking out of experience? lol.
BUT if there is nothing working wrong in the cpu AND it's used, then it might as well be new right? right?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Right. If it's working and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it, then just because it's used doesn't mean much. CPUs usually don't just "go bad". I have working CPUs from 20 years ago that I can pull out of the pile right now and power up if they were worth doing anything with. Unless they've been abused through user carelessness, or overclocked for a long period of time, or improperly overclocked for any amount of time, or have been somehow zapped a bit because something shorted on the board or another component, then generally speaking they are fine. Other hardware you'd need to use with an older CPU, no so much. Motherboards have a working life of about 5-7 years if all goes well, in most cases, and about the same for graphics cards.

Memory usually doesn't just "go bad" either. Drives and storage devices, obviously, those fail all the time. CPUs, they are pretty durable unless you screw them up through carelessness.

 

[CountMike]

Gonna buy used processor soon and just wanna know if the phrase above is true. lol.

Once upon a time it was true but modern CPUs are much more than just CPU, There are other parts with controllers like for memory, general IO and PCI(e) for instance.Any of those parts could be defective and not working properly.

 

[Karadjgne]

True. As said, the cpu either works 100% as it should, or it's bunk. There's no fixing it and even some avoidable issues like a dead ram channel that can be worked around still mean it's broke.

Used simply means you have a 50/50 chance. Either it's 100%, or bunk. My last cpu was a used i7-3770K that I picked up for $50 (back when the i7-4790k was king) and it'd do 5.0GHz easily and sat at 4.9GHz for the next 7 years, running 24/7/365.

Most used cpus are only sold because the owner upgraded. You take your chances though, used is used.

 

[drea.drechsler]

Gonna buy used processor soon and just wanna know if the phrase above is true. lol.

Agree that any CPU you're buying to put into service should either work 100% perfectly or be considered 'dead'.

A CPU you have can be a different matter since you should know it's history. For instance: a CPU you bought new that's been degraded from excessive overclocking could be operated at stock or a lowered clock if you choose. But not one you're buying used; a degraded CPU bought used should be considered dead. The problem that arises when buying used: how do you know it wasn't overclocked excessively and degraded?

 

[Eximo]

Only thing I have seen recently is dead memory channels inside the CPU. Such that channel A or B won't boot with memory modules installed. Still a working CPU, but crippled in memory bandwidth.

Long ago, short circuit inside a CPU. It would draw huge amounts of power, still function, but running at 100C+ constantly. This was before downclocking or anything like that, just didn't care that it was literally melting PSU wires.

 

[I do not know 1 2 3]

Right. If it's working and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it, then just because it's used doesn't mean much. CPUs usually don't just "go bad". I have working CPUs from 20 years ago that I can pull out of the pile right now and power up if they were worth doing anything with. Unless they've been abused through user carelessness, or overclocked for a long period of time, or improperly overclocked for any amount of time, or have been somehow zapped a bit because something shorted on the board or another component, then generally speaking they are fine. Other hardware you'd need to use with an older CPU, no so much. Motherboards have a working life of about 5-7 years if all goes well, in most cases, and about the same for graphics cards.

Memory usually doesn't just "go bad" either. Drives and storage devices, obviously, those fail all the time. CPUs, they are pretty durable unless you screw them up through carelessness.

Define carelessness though

 

[Darkbreeze]

Define carelessness though

Dropping on the floor. Installing incorrectly and bending pins. Spilling liquid on the CPU. Shorting the CPU out by allowing it to be installed or make contact with something while there is power present. Putting the CPU in a motherboard that wasn't meant for that CPU. Applying excessive voltage to the CPU. Applying excessive clock speed to the CPU. And so on, and so forth.

 

[Karadjgne]

Incorrect mounting procedure of coolers is big. It's surprising how many will crank fully 1 screw at a time, which more often than not applies undue pressure to the right side of the cpu (ppl seem to almost always start on the right) which either damages Intel socket pins or gives ram errors and in rare cases can warp the IHS.

With 2 screw coolers it's worse, they'll over tighten one side before starting the other, and try forcing the cooler down to start the other.

There's also non-heated cooler removal, happens especially with Ryzen, where ppl have actually snatched the cpu out of the socket, still attached to the cooler, breaking or bending pins in the process or bending pins enough that when putting the cpu back in the socket, many don't line up and get bent immediately.