Gold contacts on CPU appear slightly worn?

[Sammydnh]

Hello, I was installing my new Intel I7 8700k and took the CPU back out to check over the pins (nothing wrong) and I noticed that the contact points appeared slightly scratched/ discolored over the entirety of them. The plating itself looks fine and nothing is deeply scratched. I just happened to notice this while looking at it with a flashlight. Is it normal for CPU contacts to get these marking after mounting? Again the "scratching" isn't deep and cannot be picked up with my camera, it is only noticeable when a light is shone onto it. Thanks- Sam

 

[smorizio]

yes that normal for the way the intel cpu and mb pin act on each other.

 

[codygriffy]

If it's a used CPU then anything could've happened to it. My main concern would be that the gold plating is covering all of the contacts and there are no sharp dents cuts in it. Does the cpu fall into the socket with ease? You aren't having to press it in with light force are you? And it will be hard to give you a completely straight answer as you said yourself you can't really provide an image of it. If it just looks like discoloring on top of the gold plating then I wouldn't worry too much. But I personally would not mess with it if you're not having any trouble with whatever you use your computer for.

 

[Sammydnh]

It is not used, based off your answers I know it is indeed fine