CPU Bent Pins Dilemma

[JBRONCFAN]

I always thought of the CPU socket as.......a socket. An empty space for each pin to sit in. Low and behold I learn that there are actual pins inside the socket.

My first CPU on my new install I bent a bunch of CPU pins, don't know how (in my defense I was drinking while I was assembling my rig...celebrating). I presume I also bent socket pins too.

Second CPU comes in mail and I drop it in and the pc powers right up. Only difference from all my other builds is the reporting RAM. Windows shows 8gigs installed but only 3.99 usable. I've done every trick in the book if it were just a Windows problem...nada. Now that I know there are pins INSIDE the socket I feel I may have bent pins during my first CPU install attempt.

My pc runs just fine. Once in a while I can feel the effects of less RAM, especially since I am running Win 10 64-bit. Figure I got two choices. Take a chance and pop off the CPU and try to bend back whatever bent pins I find OR, I can add more RAM. Only have 8gigs installed (2 * 4gigs) and can easily add 2 more 4gig sticks (I can do 32gig max). I don't know how much will be unusable but I should get enough usable to make a noticeable difference. What would you do?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

First. try moving the RAM you have to the other slots, maybe only the slots you have filled are a problem? I'd actually use one stick and test it in each slot to see what the computer says.

It is possible to straighten pins very carefully with the open top end of affine mechanical pencil.

 

[JBRONCFAN]

Dude I've done everything possible to check this. I got a HUGE thread on this over in the memory section of this forum. My Sabertooth MOBO is dual channel and the RAM sticks go only in a certain order. Single stick slot #2 and double sticks slots #2/4.

I'm here cause I exhausted every option but bent pins.

 

[unksol]

There are pins on the CPU. OR there are pins in the socket. There are not both. Intel typically uses pins in the socket and AMD does pins on the CPU. you can't bend the contacts in anAMD socket

If one memory stick doesn't show up you have a problem with the way its seated, the DIMM or the memory socket

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Dude I've done everything possible to check this. I got a HUGE thread on this over in the memory section of this forum. My Sabertooth MOBO is dual channel and the RAM sticks go only in a certain order. Single stick slot #2 and double sticks slots #2/4.

I'm here cause I exhausted every option but bent pins.

I don't check the Memory forum, so it would have been helpful to link to that or mention it. I go on the information you have presented.

So what was the result when you moved one stick to all the other slots on the motherboard?

 

[JBRONCFAN]

Holy shit I am criss crossing the info. Either pins on CPU (AMD) or pins in socket (Intel). That's a relief probably a lot easier to deal with on the CPU then in a socket.

When I posted I did everything possible but check the pins I literally meant everything possible.

Adding RAM seems the easiest and safest route to go...literally no risk. I risk breaking a pin on the CPU and being out another $200 and a week without my rig. I guess I'll try the extra RAM first and see what kind of result I get. Can't lose that way cause even if I have to go in and fix the CPU there's nothing wrong with having 16gigs of RAM, especially running Win10 64-bit.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

You have an AMD CPU, so the pins are on the Chip. Yes, getting more memory hurts only your wallet. It made no difference for 1,3 or 2,4 or 1 only or 2 only?

 

[JBRONCFAN]

Even though the manual said RAM can only be placed this way I still tried putting a single stick into slot #1 and the pc went apeshit. Was beeping like crazy (Sabertooth doesn't come with a speaker cause it has 4 LEDs mounted on the MOBO that light up when there is a particular problem. So I ordered and installed one cause I like to hear the beep on power up.

I was hoping to communicate with anyone that has or knows someone who has had unusable memory and added more RAM to their rig. What exactly happened when you did?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I have had only one problem like that, and I tracked down the source rather than throwing money at it. (bad RAM slot)

 

[JBRONCFAN]

Well like I said adding RAM is not "throwing money at it", it's a win-win. If adding RAM gets me the performance I am lacking I win. If it doesn't, I go after the CPU pins and hopefully I can bend them back. If that works I also win and I win twice cause I fixed my pc's performance AND I got double the RAM which my 64-bit system can certainly use

Don't think it's a bad DIMM slot cause Windows still sees the whole 8gigs and like I said before I bent pins on the first CPU install. Just makes it a bit more likely I bent my newest CPU pins just not as much.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

No. I guess I'm compulsive, I like to know what's wrong before I 'fix' it. your money, your choice.

 

[JBRONCFAN]

OBVIOUSLY bending the pin/pins back would be the fix. What I am attempting to explain is I don't like the chances of me further damaging the CPU to the point in no longer works. Since I could use some more RAM anyway (I only have 8gigs installed out of a potential 32gigs) that seems to be the common sense way to go.

Has anyone added more RAM to a system that showed unusable RAM?? If so how did you make out?