Powered without CPU

[Nikdogg99]

I have all my parts installed except for my cpu which I don't have. I tried turning the system on and nothing happened. Did I damage my computer in any way?!?!

 

[rolli59]

No but it will fail to start without the CPU.

 

[RFM1997]

No, you didn't damage your computer in any way. A computer just won't function without a processor.

It's like a human being trying to function without a brain.

 

[Arkydo]

Your desktop simply cannot start because even though current is flowing through the motherboard and other critical components, it will not start without the CPU, a.k.a the Brain of the operation.

All computers run through a POST in which it systemically checks if everything is in place, i.e it beeps when some problem occurs or something is damaged or unidentified, so it checks itself before it proceeds. There should be no damage from you powering it on without a CPU, although it is not recommended that you do.

 

[hans_pcguy]

Hah! Curiosity killed the cat. No you did not hurt anything. Congratulations for being brave enough to try it. Too many people are scared to take any chances.

 

[Stealth2668]

No, you didn't damage your computer in any way. A computer just won't function without a processor.

It's like a human being trying to function without a brain.

Except you'd probably be dead xD

 

[hans_pcguy]

Several years ago I was working on a system that wouldn't power up at all. To see if cpu was getting power (AMD K8) I started it up without a heatsink and put my finger on the cpu for about 1/3 of a second. Second degree burn on the tip of my finger. You could even read the writing from the cpu burned into the tip of my finger.

 

[Stealth2668]

Several years ago I was working on a system that wouldn't power up at all. To see if cpu was getting power (AMD K8) I started it up without a heatsink and put my finger on the cpu for about 1/3 of a second. Second degree burn on the tip of my finger. You could even read the writing from the cpu burned into the tip of my finger.

Do cpu's really get that hot that fast? Was there a problem with it?

 

[hans_pcguy]

Yes they really get that hot that fast. That is why you need a good Heatsink that is well connected with thermal compound.
FYI. Only use as little as you need. Most novices use too much thermal paste which is not good.
The whole system I was working on was junk. I learned to fix computers by buying broken stuff on eBay for dirt cheap and trying to fix it. Very good way to learn.