Variable info re CPU in POST screen

Background ....

A few months ago I rebuilt my box with a new Gigabyte GA-K8N-SLI mobo (my first Gigabyte mobo - always used Asus before) mainly to have the ability to install a PCIe graphics card for Vista. I reused the AMD64 3500+ processor from the previous build. On (carefully??) removing the heat sink assembly the processor came out attached to it and a complete row of pins along one edge was bent. These I managed to straighten up good enough to fit the CPU into the new mobo.

I had a lot of problems setting up the system and after several installs got it running reasonably stable, but still experience occasional freezes. Have 2 x SATA (with XP Pro SP2 on SATA) and a PATA drive - removed the second PATA recently as surplus to storage requirements right now. 2GB RAM installed in dual channel.

Two points ....

After a freeze the post screen shows the CPUID - after a normal shut down/cold boot it does not. Latest BIOS is loaded.

Everest and SpeedFan report the CPU temp to be a steady 70 deg C, but the Gigabyte facility and BIOS report 25 - 30 deg C depending on load. Cool'nQuiet is running.

I tend to 'trust' the BIOS & Gigabyte read outs, but cannot but help feeling that the CPU may be damaged in some way.

Any thoughts on this out there?

My current thinking is on two fronts ....

Either replace the CPU on the Gigabyte mobo with - wise at this point in time I think, an AMD 64x2 3800+ or 4200+, or

Replace both the CPU and mobo - back to Asus I think - Asustek A8N-SLI PREMIUM S939 nForce4 SLI ATX. I prefer to stick the nVidia chipset as the graphics card is a GForce 6600.

Or switch horses and go for a Intel Pentium D 820 2MB Socket 775 800FSB on a ?? mobo?

Any opinions?

 

That's my board I have the AMD 4200+ 64/X2.

With this 'build' I switched to AMD, and Intel would have to do much better to get my custom back! Their CPU's run waay to hot & use waay to much power compared to AMD.

 

Yes - I've always been of the opinion that AMD offered 'more bangs per buck'

 

Mr B

Find it hard to believe myself but I was not happy with the Asus A8V deluxe I was running - never seemed to be 'quite right' and could not put my finger on the reasons why. In addition it was not PCIe which was another reason to change. Switched to Gigabyte based on the experience of an eminent member of the BBS, who shall be nameless - a move I now regret.

Matt

The one thing that bothered me when straightening out the pins - made a pretty good job of it BTW was that they suddenly went soft as if they were about to break off - as a retired metallurgist I supposedly know about these things, although it's been a while and was concerned, but the CPU worked. However there is that constant nagging in my mind that all is not well with the CPU.

 

Fatigued metal does not conduct elec in the same manner as original metal. Basically, fatigued metal is softer at the stress areas and could possibly have hairline cracks within it, blank spots where current does not flow. Thus the current must flow around those weaker areas. This could make a difference esp since we are talking about milivolts or extremely low voltages through those pins. I would think that such a "delay" in current flow could cause issues and throw off the mathematecal calculations of predicted "time" it takes for "yes" & "no" to flow through the cpu.

If your existing board supports the new cpu you'd like to get then try it out & if no joy then get the new mb to go with it.

 

TonyT

Thanks for that lucid and logical explanation - you have convinced me that the CPU has to go

 

OK - I have ordered - should have tomorrow .....

Asustek A8N-SLI PREMIUM S939 nForce4 SLI ATX

AMD 64x2 4200+

Thanks for the input - will keep you posted.

 

You're welcome...but keep in mind that I am no expert in this subject. It all just seemed to make sense to ME when I thought about it!

 

rsinfo - I am not deriding Gigabyte - I just did not feel comfortable with the board having been an Asus user for many years. No doubt the possibility of a damaged CPU clouded my view.

Guys - update

Asus board and CPU delivered this afternoon - up and running after a repair install of Windows. I do wish that repair installs did not revert all my settings back to default, but that's a small price to pay for avoiding 3/4 days loading software and tweaking

First impressions - quite a spritely combination