CPU burns out - will my motherboard work

[Maxflirt]

Ok i got *had* an atholn 1600xp i leave it runing come back to it a few hours later - theres a funny burning smell and im not talking bout my attempt to cook a pizza - i open it up remove the heat sink - and my chip has a funny burning colour round the middle - what i want to know is would my motheboard have been damaged as well? ie should i just buy a new chip or new board as well

[BattlePlague]

try to remove the cpu if you know how and check to see if the board looks dmg'ed if it doesnt you should try to get a new chip.

[Maxflirt]

thats what ive figured as well - all i gotta do is wait till i get paid in two weeks *NOOOOOOOOOOOOO* thats right no main computer for two weeks - it shouldnt be allowed

[Martin Blank]

You will not likely be able to see any damage from a burned-out CPU. The only way to test it is to drop another CPU in (reset the CMOS first -- check your motherboard manual on how to do this) and see if it boots.

You may be able to save some money and have the board replaced under warranty in the time you're waiting to buy a new CPU, though. It usually only takes a week or so, and the $10 or so in shipping to the manufacturer sure beats the $100 (more or less) for a new board.

[Xyphic]

I'd be worried about *why* the CPU fried. I had a 1700+ that did that. In the end I replaced the board because I felt it would just be a waste if another CPU burnt.

If you're not thinking about getting a new board, check that the heatsink was on the right way around (you'd be surprised!) and that it had either a thermal pad or thermal paste on it.

It might be worth upgrading to a new board anyway, seeing as newer ones will automatically shut the system down if the CPU gets too hot. My board was an ASUS A7V266-E which was supposed to have thermal shutdown, but I later learned that it didn't work properly. "You don't say?" I said. So now I have a A7V333-E which apparently will shut down properly. Though I've yet to test it...