Is it okay to hold the cpu from its front area.

[Valcorx666]

When I built my computer I held the cpu from the face of it as in the shiny area. The computer is working but will anything happen later on? And why is it recommended to hold a cpu from the sides?

 

[Talesseed]

If you haven't touched the pins, everything is OK!

 

[Valcorx666]

If you haven't touched the pins, everything is OK!

I see. But as I said, I booted the system and everything works fine. So there won't be any damage in the future right?

 

[Talesseed]

If you haven't touched the pins, everything is OK!

I see. But as I said, I booted the system and everything works fine. So there won't be any damage in the future right?

No, absolutely not, if it works, it will work. Don't worry!

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

The reason you want to hold a cpu from the sides is to keep from bending the pins on the bottom and to keep the natural oils of your skin off the CPU heat spreader. The oils will interfere with the thermal paste resulting in less then optimal cooling performance. The oil from your skin won't damage the gold cpu pin or contacts but it's just good practice to not touch it.

If you can't hold a CPU from the sides place it on your palm heatspreader side down. Then after you get it into the socket wipe off the surface with rubbing alcohol before applying thermal paste. If your CPU is working fine now, there won't be any damage in the future as a result of your touching the top and bottom.