Intel Skylake CPUs are bending due to cooler mount pressure!

[martin-w 3,256]

have a closer look please

 

 

 

I don't think that's a deformation Chris. It's just the lighting. If you look at the pins they are in line. If you look at the deformation with the arrow the pins are out of line. look for the horizontal alignment of the pins, that's how to spot the deformation.

 

May be wrong, but nothing was mentioned in the article about a deformation in that location. If there were, they would have indicated so with a second arrow.

[martin-w 3,256]

Why did Intel make it thinner? To cut costs?

 

Could be a number of reasons...

 

Fewer PCB layers as a result of...

 

No more fully integrated voltage regulator, so reducing the number of PCB layers used as power lanes.

 

14nm, that might be related.

 

And yes, perhaps cost.

 

 

Cryorig have this to say...

 

We at CRYORIG have the following information and statement to make, regarding the recent news and discussion regarding damaged PCB’s on Skylake CPU’s, which many in the industry believe is caused by abnormal heatsink mounting pressure during transportation of the PC system. First of all we want to assure users of CRYORIG products that currently no CRYORIG heatsinks have displayed this problem, either through media reports, third party sales channels or internal testing. CRYORIG heatsinks are fully compatible with socket 1151 processors, and follow specifications set forth by CPU manufacturers. But as a note of precaution we suggest users to lay their PC system flat (with the heatsink in a vertical position) whenever they are transporting their PC system.

Based on the information and testing reports we currently have at hand, although CRYORIG’s own products did not show this problem, we have derived the following suggestions and insight into the Skylake PCB damage problem. From our observation the cause of the bent/damaged PCB is caused by the combination of two factors.

A) High mounting pressure from the CPU heatsink mounting system, with no flexibility in the system.

Increased directional force created by the weight of the heatsink and movement of the PC chassis.

In the cases that have been reported by media, it holds true that these issues have only been observed in “Pre-Built” systems. These systems have the heatsink installed before shipping, which are subjective to both point A+B. Thus if a heatsink already has high mounting pressure with no system of flexibility, heavy weight and is tossed around during shipping, then the force of the heatsink is possible to bend at the softest point. In this case the softest point is the Skylake PCB.

According to our hypothesis, then what makes CRYORIG heatsinks safe? In our own product line we have two different mounting systems. First is the MultiSeg on our heavier products, then there is the X-Bar and MultiSeg Light. The MultiSeg Quick Mount System uses a sturdy Medium Carbon Steel backplate. We chose the Medium Carbon Steel for it’s high tensile strength, which protects the mainboard from bending when using heavier heatsinks like the R1 or H5. In combination with a highly rigid backplate, the spring screw system is what provides the downwards-clamping mounting force. This combination of a tough frame and a relatively softer point of flexibility is the key to why CRYORIG products are not seen damaging the CPU PCB. When extra vector/directional force is exhibited on the heatsink (such as during transport), the softest point in the system always gives. In this case the spring screws will deform to absorb the extra external force, much like a suspension system.

In our lighter products, the X-Bar and MultiSeg Light mounting systems omit the rigid steel backplate for a 30% Fiber Glass PBT. The lighter weight of our H7/M9 and C7 heatsinks creates less stress on the mainboard, which is why the steel backplate is not needed. Also, using a Fiber Glass filled PBT has multiple benefits.

Material Modulus of Elasticity (The Higher the more Rigid)

30% Fiber Glass PBT 15.0 GPa Max

Medium Carbon Steel 213.0 GPa Max

The Modulus of Elasticity for 30% Fiber Glass PBT is 15.0 GPa, while Medium Carbon Steel is 213 GPa. The combination of structural support and elasticity, allows these backplate system to still have a point of flexibility when extra force is exerted. The lighter weight of the product itself also makes it safer when directional force is exhibited.

In all, although caution should always be exhibited when transporting delicate electronics, we want our consumers to feel safe about their CRYORIG product. Our finely tuned mounting kits are safe to use. Moreover, stationary PC’s do not have anything to worry about either.

 

 

Easy to see below why Scythe had an issue. More than DOUBLE the mounting pressure of the NH-D15.

 

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/Luftkuehlung-Hardware-217993/News/Skylakegate-Kuehler-zerstoeren-Sockel-1151-CPUs-1179237/3/#a3

 

Intel recommend a maximum dynamic load of 490 Newtons. The NH-D15 scores 380 Newtons. The Scythe cooler hits 770 Newtons.

 

 

 

[Chris Bell 165]

@Martin
forensics analysis on :wink:

first observation, the cpu was not seated in its socket when that happened! (indication of a hard impact loosening the cpu lock first)
the corner imprint of the indentation is made 3 pin rows ahead; you clearly see the cpu wasn’t seated in place!
the cpu socket is not a universal socket; all pins must touch or they wouldn’t be placed there; it’s not an eye candy item,

 

next observation is the appearance of the second triangle at the other end;
again 3 rows of pins ahead; and in line with the deeper indentation shape on the other end,

now if you look at the cpu you will notice only one corner of the PCB got bent and gave away;
while the other maintained its form, the corner that gave away is the faded imprint at top!
the other side that didn’t give made the deeper imprint at the bottom; which is more noticeable,

this is in line with pressure damage of forcefully pulling out the cpu and heat sync while they are locked in place!

Also note there is very specific intends in two corners only; this suggests the cpu was not flat and in place as well,

If the damage accrued by top down pressure; all the pins should observe some degree of indentation,

The corner shape suggest a pull out action; not down force pressure;

The down force was created by the pull out action and the corners of the pcb that remained jammed in the cpu cage,

as for why more info is not available; that’s easy to explain :smile:
if the owner can pass this as manufactured defect he gets a replacement units from the cooler manufacture and intel,
if he admits he dropped the box he is responsible for the costs,

[martin-w 3,256]

The original image was from Hexus by the way. You can see it better over there.

 

http://hexus.net/tech/news/cpu/88628-intel-skylake-cpus-bending-due-cooler-mount-pressure/

 

first observation, the cpu was not seated in its socket when that happened! (indication of a hard impact loosening the cpu lock first)

 

 

 

You are forgetting Chris,  we are dealing with cooler mounting systems that have a back-plate! The back-plate is bolted to the retaining mechanism on the front. The CPU is sandwiched in place. It can't move even if the CPU latch flips open.

 

 

The socket/CPU is under tension, above Intel's specs, no spring retention system to absorb the excessive forces. Thus, something has to give, and the weakest link, the softest target, is the socket. The CPU corner [the weakest place] is pushed in toward the socket as a result of an impact, bump, during transit. 

 

 

 

If the damage accrued by top down pressure; all the pins should observe some degree of indentation,

 

 

 

No Chris... "top down pressure" although above Intel's specs isn't the issue. No damage has been observed in regard to static load [PC stationary] The only damage that has been observed has been in regard to "dynamic load", while moving the PC.

 

PC is bumped or banged, increased downward forces come into play and the cooler [a rather large and heavy lever] bares down and pushes the bottom of the cooler mounting plate into the socket. The corners of the CPU receive the brunt of the bending because it's the weakest place, more PCB surface area to bend. Don't forget, when bumping banging or dropping the PC enclosure it can be from any angle, directly opposing that angle damage will accrue. the cooler is a lever.

 

 

as for why more info is not available; that’s easy to explain  :smile:
if the owner can pass this as manufactured defect he gets a replacement units from the cooler manufacture and intel,
if he admits he dropped the box he is responsible for the costs,

 

 

 

:smile:  This is nothing to do with "replacements" or RMA's Chris. The image was from Hexus, their investigations into the issue.No one is after an RMA.