[SOLVED] Is my CPU hurt? iBuyPower built my PC wrong

[CageyB123]

Partial question partial vent!
I ordered a PC from iBuyPower about 2 years ago. PC ran fine as far as I could tell (somewhat of a hardware noob) until about a week ago I heard a noise from what sounded like the AIO. I downloaded HWinfo, speed fan, NZXT, and a couple other monitoring programs and realized the CPU was idling at 60C, straight to 100 on any usage and startup and only pulling 3.4Ghz clock speeds when all my research said I should be closer to 5.1 with an i7-10700k with the factory turbo overclock thing enabled.

I correctly assumed it was my cooler, the problem is when I went to take it off today to prep for installing the new AIO I purchased I realized the geniuses on the assembly line at iBuyPower left the factory plastic on the bottom of the cooler I got from them.

(Vent part) I tried both the online chat and talking to a person in customer support. Online I was told high temps don’t affect the longevity of your CPU at all, it was just a comfort thing, as well as my PC parts are outside of any refund window. I was initially asking for a partial refund on the CPU for the decreased lifespan and a refund on the cooler since I already have one arriving today and I couldn’t have known that this was a build quality issue until now. The man on the phone told me the original cooler probably would have gone out by now anyways (lmao quality) and they don’t work very well anyways, but could send me a new one if I sent them the one they installed incorrectly back.



Long story long my questions are; is my CPU potentially damaged from running at such high temps for who knows how long? Can I check somehow once I get the new cooler installed? Finally, would this mistake even cause my issues or am I overreacting? I have screenshots of my support conversation online and pics of my AIO with thermal paste on the outside of the plastic if those are important at all I just don’t know how to post them on mobile. Thanks in advance!
Edit: original cooler was an Enermax 120mm

 

[Gam3r01]

Your CPU is perfectly fine. Its fairly hard to harm a CPU with high temps due to all the protection measures built in (such as the downclocking you saw). Additionally, the system would shutdown before any real damage occurred.
Honestly, its impressive it took 2 years for said symptoms to show up. Am I surprised they did something so stupid? Not at all.
Personally, id install your own cooler, not some junk 120mm AIO. That tech is also beyond irresponsible telling you their own products are junk.

 

[CageyB123]

Your CPU is perfectly fine. Its fairly hard to harm a CPU with high temps due to all the protection measures built in (such as the downclocking you saw). Additionally, the system would shutdown before any real damage occurred.
Honestly, its impressive it took 2 years for said symptoms to show up. Am I surprised they did something so stupid? Not at all.
Personally, id install your own cooler, not some junk 120mm AIO. That tech is also beyond irresponsible telling you their own products are junk.

I appreciate you! I filed a BBB complaint about IBP to see if there’s any real responsibility on them to rectify the situation. I will sleep better knowing my CPU isn’t baked, and I’ll be using my own coolers and doing my own builds from now on. Can’t trust anyone these days!

 

[Gam3r01]

I think this event certainly warrants the BBB complaint, as thats poor workmanship and quality control.
Theres several threads like this that we use as cautionary tales against boutique builders like IBP and Cyberpower.