Intel Core i7-3930K dead or alive?

[Azma]

Hi!

So, about a year ago my Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 motherboard desided to finnaly burst its VRM in to fire! The system went in to a reboot of death until the VRM was totaly gone!

So, my question is would the CPU survive this? Is there any point to try and buy a new/used motherboard to check if the CPU is alive? The system did live long and strong tough... 6 years with 4,8GHz overclock on all cores! Until it all went up in smoke!

If you take a look at the attached picture, you can see some discoloration on some of the pads back on the CPU. This might be becouse of heat? And CPU is probably dead?

Share youre toughts! Thanks!

 

[DR4G00N]

What does the VRM look like on the mobo? It all depends on if the VRM put 12V straight into the cpu, if it did then it's dead and there would be no signs of damage externally.

 

[HUSKIE]

Clean with isopropyl alcohol or baby wipes, let see if those are gone.

 

[Solaris17]

your going to need to plug it in to find out my dude. unless there is actual damage to the CPU no ones going to be able to answer that. If the answer is a deciding factor in a totally diff platform, bring it to a shop and see if they can test it or call around.

 

[Azma]

What does the VRM look like on the mobo? It all depends on if the VRM put 12V straight into the cpu, if it did then it's dead and there would be no signs of damage externally.

It actually burnt right trough the PCB. The VRM material reminded me of charcoal! All the metal inside the VRM was melted.

your going to need to plug it in to find out my dude. unless there is actual damage to the CPU no ones going to be able to answer that. If the answer is a deciding factor in a totally diff platform, bring it to a shop and see if they can test it or call around.

True! Just tought I would check here first! Since this was a common problem for the UD3 board until bios fix came! There is also impossible to find a LGA2011 X79 motherboard here in Norway. Used or new.

 

[Solaris17]

There is also impossible to find a LGA2011 X79 motherboard here in Norway. Used or new

If thats the case you have your answer already. I have had a few CPUs current and in the past working, with discolored pins. It was nothing to write home about and unfortunately you cant base a failure off of it.

 

[repman244]

Only way to know is to try it on a new motherboard, but like you already noticed x79 boards are rare. Even if you do find one they are very expensive for such an old platform.
You can either wait for a used board (which won't be cheap) or find someone with a correct board and test it.

 

[AmioriK]

I will be honest, I think it may be time for you to get a new platform^^ 3930K was a beast but she's a little long in the tooth these days. : /

if you need a system now you could consider a X470 motherboard and then a 2600, they are extremely cheap right now. I know the 2600 will not be faster in gaming thatn 4.8 Ghz 3930K but it would still do a decent job: Then when Ryzen 3000 comes you could upgrade it to a 8 or 12 core 7nm Ryzen. Otherwise Intel Z390 is a good option and 8700K, is much faster in gaming than 3930K. You may also be able to upgrade to the rumoured 10-core Comet Lake CPU later. Please note these are just my thoughts and what I would do in this situation.. But keep the 3930K, place her on your desk so you will always remember her loyal service^^

 

[backwoods]

Here is a list that you might find helpful...it has other boards for the 3930k not just the X79, maybe you might find in Norway?
https://www.game-debate.com/hardware/index.php?pid=833&moboList=Core i7-3930K 6-Core 3.20GHz

 

[Azma]

I will be honest, I think it may be time for you to get a new platform^^ 3930K was a beast but she's a little long in the tooth these days. : /

if you need a system now you could consider a X470 motherboard and then a 2600, they are extremely cheap right now. I know the 2600 will not be faster in gaming thatn 4.8 Ghz 3930K but it would still do a decent job: Then when Ryzen 3000 comes you could upgrade it to a 8 or 12 core 7nm Ryzen. Otherwise Intel Z390 is a good option and 8700K, is much faster in gaming than 3930K. You may also be able to upgrade to the rumoured 10-core Comet Lake CPU later. Please note these are just my thoughts and what I would do in this situation.. But keep the 3930K, place her on your desk so you will always remember her loyal service^^

Jupp! Currently borrowing a 2600K and motherboard from a friend! That setup just got to work til I get new parts! The 3930K is getting retired! It did an amazing job! And if a good deal ever pops up on a motherboard for it, I`m going to buy it just to see if it workes!

 

[Caring1]

Sell it on eBay to recoup some of the cost of a new Processor.
Plenty of people are willing to take the chance it will work if you list it as unknown condition.