- The burned-out AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU likely resulted from user error rather than a defect in the CPU itself.
- The CPU was possibly installed crookedly, damaging the socket and motherboard pins.
- Despite the apparent human error, there is a positive development as Gamer Nexus has offered to purchase the damaged CPU for further examination.
New AMD CPU owners may be worried to see a Reddit picture showing a burned-out AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. While it has been questioned if the motherboard or CPU is defective; however, it appears that a simple human error may be the cause.
Why it matters: The damaged Ryzen 9800X3D shows how improper installation can lead to serious damage, helping to clarify that not all hardware failures are defects and highlighting the need for careful handling during setup.
Although it is impossible to rule out a CPU problem, a closer examination of some of the other images the user-supplied farther down the thread suggests a more likely explanation.
As several other Redditors have noted, the CPU appears to have been pushed into the socket slightly crooked, or perhaps upside down, due to significant damage to the plastic surrounding it, as you can see in the images.
This would have caused a mismatch between the CPU pads and motherboard pins causing damage to the socket when the lever’s pressure was applied. That said there is some good news, though, as Redditor has already accepted Stephen Burke’s offer from (Gamer Nexus) to purchase the burned-out 9800X3D for his examination.
The reason why this probably happened is the user tried to install the CPU with the motherboard installed vertically inside the case. If the motherboard was lying horizontally, the user would have noticed the miss alignment between the socket and the processor.
While the user might have gotten lucky to get a free refund. It’s best practice to install the CPU with the motherboard lying horizontally on a table to avoid user errors.
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[News Reporter]
Malik Usman is student of Computer Science focused on using his knowledge to produce detailed and informative articles covering the latest findings from the tech industry. His expertise allows him to cover subjects like processors, graphics cards, and more. In addition to the latest hardware, Malik can be found writing about the gaming industry from time to time. He is fond of games like God of War, and his work has been mentioned on websites like Whatculture, VG247, IGN, and Eurogamer.