Suspected dead 2600k CPU

[Durzel]

Yeah it was "up to 28 days". What's frustrating is that the CPU is clearly faulty, it's not like it's being quirky and BSOD'ing Windows occasionally or whatever - i.e. anything that would actually require extended diagnosis. Boards don't even POST with the CPU installed, it would take 20 mins to discover this and realise that it needs to be replaced.

I just feel like I've been fobbed off to be honest and have had to order another i7-2600k elsewhere just to tide me over until I can get this faulty one RMA'd.

 

[Hagar]

Hi there


Right guys myself and our technical guys have spent the entire weekend and this morning in discussions with Intel regarding the alarming amount of reports of Sandybridge CPU's dying and have been conducting our own testing as have Intel to find out what is a definite no no.


Sandybridge maximum safe voltages

Core Voltage - Not recommended too exceed 1.38v, doing so could kill the CPU, we therefor recommend a range of 1.325-1.350v if overclocking.
Memory Voltage - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means upto 1.58v is the safe recommended limit. In our testing we have found 1.65v has caused no issues.
BCLK Base Clock - This is strictly a NO, anyone using base clock overclocking could/will cause damange to CPU/Mainboard. (Set manually to 100)
PLL Voltage - Do not exceed 1.9v!!



Processor - Basically we recommend customers not to exceed 1.35v to play it safe, all our bundles are set at 1.3250v or lower, any competitors offering bundles above 4.6GHz you should be enquiring as to what voltage they are using as we believe anything over 1.38v will limit CPU lifespan and anything over 1.42v will likely kill the CPU or severely limit its lifespan.

Memory - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means 1.60v is the ideal safe maximum, but we have found in our testing all 1.65v memory is fine. We have also found most new 1.65v like Corsair XMS3 will run at its rated timings with just 1.50-1.55v which is well within Intel specifications. So people upgrading to Sandybridge you can still use your old DDR3, but we do recommend you run it at 1.60v or less. We are shipping most of our bundles which feature Corsair XMS at 1.50v-1.55v at rated timings. We've also discussed with Asus and MSI regarding voltages for memory and they also confirm in their testing 1.65v caused no issues with reliability.

Base Clock - To put it simple if you value the life of your components, do not overclock using base clock!

PLL Voltage - Again do not exceed 1.9v!


These are just guidelines we recommend you follow, if you want to push more voltage through your CPU's then just be aware they could die on you. Your warranty is un-affected and we will honor any CPU's that die, we just won't ask questions as to how you killed them.
Not all CPU's are as fragile as others, we have experimented upto 1.50v Vcore and 1.70v memory and had zero issues with reliability, so it seems some of fine when pushing hard.

originally posted by Gibbo

 

[Durzel]

I haven't been told that my warranty was affected, only that I should expect to have to wait up to 28 days for a replacement. That's basically the risk you take it seems if you order these from OCUK, if it goes wrong you're not given the benefit of the doubt (even though channel partners have advanced warranty replacement via Intel), you're going to be PC-less for ~28 days.

As I said it's pretty disappointing considering there is no shortage of stock of this CPU, and as stated it's clear as day that it's faulty. It seems a formality to me to send it off to get a replacement, but apparently it isn't.

I even offered to buy another processor from OCUK under the proviso that when Intel send OCUK back a replacement for my defective one that I would get a refund, but that wasn't an option either.

Not being funny but this seems to me to back up the widely reported rumour that you're fine buying stuff from OCUK so long as it never goes wrong, but when it does you're either fobbed off or only offered perfunctory warranty service. It's hugely disappointing considering the sums of money being spent.