How fragile are CPUs

[jacob_174]

I know this has probably been answered before but I'm paranoid and have to ask. Basically I just got a new processor (i5 7600k) and I was curious so I was looking at it out of the casing. I was touching it on its resistors on the bottom, so how fragile are the resistors ? Nothing came off or anything but could I have damaged anything?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... They are pretty tuff... Typically I have to throw them away... You didn't walk around with socks on Dry carpet while doing this did you? (static Charge)
Basically... you won't know till you plug it in B ) and Yes that is REAL GOLD on them B D ...and those are called "surface Mount" resistors/capacitors/etc. They use those to help stabilize inputs/outputs/etc.

 

[jacob_174]

I was completely grounded I'm more worried about the physical damage like if one of the capacitors maybe could have gotten loose or something along those lines

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... It can and does happen through Over heating or Voltage/current or Bad manufacturing (solder)... but it's basically lead free solder... and tuff as tin B / there are example of it on EBAY and google img's. Typically you handle a CPU by it's edges...

 

[jacob_174]

You would probably have to try and break one off to damage it hey? They don't crack off that easy do they?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... The solder joints are stronger than the material used in them... resistors are made of carbon... capacitors glass... I have bought, handled, and soldered these things B O you need to tape them down first... in fact I have a SM Opamp I need to replace on an Audio input.

These thing are made to withstand automated process/machine to install them. But if they take a hard direct impact I'm sure you could break one... but they are so small to handle they usually just fly off in air and get lost on the floor somewhere. B O

 

[RobCrezz]

You would have to be pretty heavy handed to do any damage.

 

[jacob_174]

Yeah I hope so I guess there's only one way to find out n test it. Witch program should I use to fully test the functionality of the CPU?

 

[chemmajorp53]

AMD CPUs are fairly easy to damage with the pins, intel cpus are pretty much indestructible within reason. It's the reverse for motherboards. Usually it's not a good idea though to touch the pads on the bottom of the CPU just because the oil on your fingers can damage the plating over time. It'll be fine if you just get some alcohol on a rag and wipe it off.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Just do normal OS install activity and open-close programs/APPs... a BAD CPU will show up right away with process errors... I'm not a Fan of Stress Testing APPs, as Heat is directly related to the lifetime of a electronic component, so why create un-needed Heat and stress to your $$$ electronic components?

If your in the field/JOB of "Testing" then go for it B / ...But as a consumer/user of a product... your putting your products through "non-normal use?" B /