Have I killed my new CPU?

Gimpymoo · 3 Nov 2007 at 20:36

Got my AMD X2 4200 last week along with a Freezer64 PRO and was very happy with it. Is installed on a MSI Neo4 Platinum Mobo.

Yesterday evening I began trying to clock it so did the usual:

Increase FSB
Increase Multiplier

If booted OK, checked Temps and fan speeds and repeated the process.

At no point did I increase voltage above stock.

Got to a stage where system posted OK and began to boot into windows but just ended up with a blank screen, had HDD activity but not booting to desktop.

Set all settings to default so CPU now running at stock and rebooted.

System is now running VERY VERY slow, windows is impossible to use despite doing a clean install of Vista.. TWICE. Going through the GUI installer of Vista is painfull as it is so slow.. but it does install OK.

BIOS reports CPU speed as stock and temps are fine.

Have ordered a new CPU anyway as I think it has gone to silicon heaven.

Have tried clearing CMOS to no avail. Maybe reflashing the BIOS would help?

Would the fact that I DIDN'T increase the voltage be the cause of the problem? I did not think I would cause damage if voltage remained at stock, at the worst I thought the system would not post.. thats inexperience I guess.

Thanks all.

celliott · 3 Nov 2007 at 20:45

AFAIK you cannot damage a CPU by overclocking it but not increasing the voltage. As long as the temps are within reasonable limits it should be fine. I have been overclocking for years and have never had that problem.

Cob · 3 Nov 2007 at 21:46

Tbh the CPU is the last thing you should check.

Memory>hard drive>motherboard>CPU.

Gimpymoo · 4 Nov 2007 at 04:18

Well.. reinstalled my old A64 3000 and everything now working OK again.

Must be CPU but that seems very odd that it was killed by overclocking with no voltage increases.

Anyone came across this before?

sneakypenguin · 4 Nov 2007 at 05:50

from experience the cpu would throttle/reset before any damage can be done. As cob said try the memory/motherboard, particulary the memory, depending on how much memory you have try one stick at a time, could be a duff stick.

J.D · 4 Nov 2007 at 06:01

Check if any BIOS versions mention anything about dual core processors?. I can't remember if I had this X2 in my MSI neo 4 plat board?.

It shouldn't have died just like that. Never seen anything like that happen and I've had this CPU and a few single cored CPU's at 1.6v+ on air and never has anything happened except for the CPU overheating or not stable enough with lack of voltages. All the CPU's are still working today overclocked in other people's rigs (friends/family members).

I hope you get down to the bottom of the problem. I don't think it's the CPU but I could well be wrong.

Gimpymoo · 4 Nov 2007 at 11:42

Im going to run the 3000 CPU for a while to see if any issues arise.

Is running solid as a rock with that chip though.

Should have a new CPU on Tuesday so will throw that in and see what happens.