Everyone is scared of bent CPU pins when it comes to building a PC. Well, for sure, the processors are one of the most expensive components of a PC. Intel has been using LGA Sockets for a while now (which means pins are not on the CPU but rather on the CPU Socket on the motherboard). So, there is no chance of bent CPU Pins. Nowadays, even AMD has moved to LGA socket. But until the previous generation i.e., AM4 Socket, all the AMD CPUs have PGA Socket (which means pins are on the CPU). So, the chance of a bent or broken CPU pin is significantly high. If you accidentally bent the pins of a CPU while taking it out of the package or while installing it in the motherboard, and worrying how to fix bent CPU pins, then this guide is for you.
Unless it is a broken pin, there are some simple techniques to fix bent CPU pins. As mentioned before, LGA Sockets have pins on the motherboard (the CPU Socket) instead of the CPU. While the CPU is safe, there is a change that the LGA Socket Pins might be bent. We will see how to fix bent motherboard pins as well.
How Do I Know If CPU Pins Are Bent?
The CPU pins are such vital elements of the CPU that even a small bend can disturb the complete functioning of the machine. A user can identify it by just observing the processing behavior of their PC. The user might face problems while starting the system, which might not even turn on, or the computer might not process the Power on Self-Test (POST). Even if the PC has still managed to turn on, the user might experience a sudden crash just after a few seconds. Another thing the user might experience is abnormally high CPU temperatures.
How to Find Bent CPU Pins?
When you suspect bent CPU pins, begin by removing the CPU from the motherboard. To do this safely, first, power down your computer and unplug it. Open the case using a screwdriver if necessary. Carefully locate the CPU socket, typically near the center of the motherboard. Take the CPU Cooler from the CPU. Now, gently lift the retention arm or mechanism holding the CPU in place. Handle the CPU with care to avoid further damage to the delicate pins.
Inspecting your CPU for bent pins requires a keen eye and a well-lit workspace. Take the CPU and gently hold it by the edges. CPUs are delicate, so avoid touching the fragile gold-colored pins directly. Position the CPU in your line of sight and very close to your eye.
Close the other eye and look straight down the rows of pins. You can use a magnifying glass for better visibility and spot even the slightest bends or misalignments. Slowly inspect each row of pins, moving from one side to the other. Ideally, all the pins should appear straight and uniform and form a prefect grid, with no irregularities. Change the orientation of the CPU and look at the pins from other directions/sides as well.
If you notice any pins that look out of place, pay close attention to their orientation. Compare the suspicious pins to the surrounding ones. Bent pins will stand out as they will not align with the others. To get a clearer view, change the angle of the light source. Shadows can help highlight any deviations in the pins’ positions.
Additionally, take pictures of the CPU from various angles using a high-resolution camera. You can zoom in on the photos to examine the pins more closely.
How to Fix Bent CPU Pins?
There are some proven ways to fix those bent CPU pins. All these are essentially DIY methods that most users can perform with everyday objects. Let us see these methods one-by-one.
1. Credit Card/Blade Method
The credit card or blade method is the easiest yet most effective ways to fix bent CPU pins. For this method, the user should have a blade or a credit card. A Swiss Army knife or a Jack Knife will also do the job.
While working on the CPU to fix bent pins, the CPU shouldn’t move or slide on the surface. So, use some way to hold the CPU (clay or putty). Next, you should find out the numbers of the pins and their position. Once the positions of the pins are determined, slide the blade or the card in the row of the bent pins and gently try to straighten the pins by pushing them against the bend.
Do this from all the four sides. Check if the pins are aligned and if not, repeat the process. You need a steady set of hands and a lot of patience while working with CPU Pins. Don’t rush and put any extra pressure on the pins. Once you’ve straightened out all the bent pins, run the card, blade, or knife through the row. It should slide without any obstruction.
2. Mechanical Pencil Method
The mechanical pencil method is mostly adopted by professionals or technicians as it provides more accuracy in comparison to other methods. Most modern mechanical pencils in the market come with either 0.5mm or 0.7mm diameter lead. Other sizes might be available but these two sizes are perfect for fixing bent CPU pins.
Start by taking the lead out of the pencil. This leaves the front cone part (the part where the tip of the lead comes out) empty. Once you have identified the pins and their position, just try to slide the head of the pin into the empty cone of the pencil. Now with caution, maneuver the pins by apply gentle pressure on the pin with the help of mechanical pencil. Try to hold it steady, as the pins are very fragile & delicate.
Once done with the process, carefully remove the heads of the pins from the pencils without damaging them. Unlike the card or blade method, the pencil method has one disadvantage i.e., the user has to fix the pins one by one. Whereas the card or blade method has the advantage of fixing a group of pins present in a line. This is why fixing the bent CPU pins using a mechanical pencil can be a tough task as it requires more focus.
3. Sewing Needle Method
We can also use a sewing needle to fix a bent CPU pin. For this method, the user just needs to slide the sewing needle underneath the bent pin and guide the pin back to its original position. Make sure you have enough leverage on the needle and be careful while using it. If you don’t have needles, you can take the help of toothpicks. Try not to damage or scratch the surface of the CPU.
4. Precision Tweezers
For delicate manipulation of bent CPU Pins, you can use precision tweezers. Grab the end of the pin using the tip of the tweezers and gently lift the pin until it is aligned with the remaining pins.
How to Fix Bent Motherboard Pins?
As mentioned before, most modern CPUs from AMD and Intel do not have pins on the CPU but only pads (as they use LGA Sockets). Instead, the pins are present on the LGA Socket on the motherboard. Can CPU pins on motherboard be bent? Yes. This can happen during wrong installation procedure, shipping and transit, or even a manufacturing defect.
If you observe the pins on the motherboard socket, these are not regular pointing pins but rather have a unique shape and structure with spring action. In case you will find yourself with some bent pins on the motherboard, then fixing them is similar to what we did in the previous section. But due to the shape of the pin on the socket, we cannot use all the methods that we used for fixing pins on the CPU.
You can use tweezers or toothpick for bringing the pins to an initial alignment and then for the final correction you can use the credit card or any plastic card.
Does CPU Work with Bent/Broken Pins?
The very first question which comes to mind whenever someone is discussing bent CPU pins is, does the CPU work even with bent or broken pins? If the pins are just bent, then we can use the previously-mentioned methods to align them back in place and use the CPU normally again. But if you have a completely broken CPU Pin, then what’s that situation like?
Well to be honest that’s a complete luck factor because modern CPUs (at least the regular consumer PC CPUs) have hundreds of pins for power as well as data transmission. Speaking of power pins, CPUs have multiple pins associated with GND (ground) and VCC (Positive power supply). If the broken pin a GND or VCC, then there is a chance that the CPU will still work due to availability of other alternatives. If the broken pin is associated with memory or other data, then the CPU might not work properly or not work at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Signs of Bent Pins in a Computer?
Answer: If the CPU pins are bent, it will lead to the sudden crash of the computer; in very rare cases, the computer actually starts when required, but usually, the user will feel the difference in the processing and executing the task. The user might experience problems like overheating, blue screen, etc.
2. Do All CPUs Have Pins?
Answer: CPUs with PGA (Pin Grid Array) sockets have pins directly on them but CPUs with LGA (Land Grid Array) sockets do not have any pins, only contact pads. Instead, LGA Sockets on the motherboard have pins. Recent Intel and AMD processor use LGA Sockets. AM4 Sockets from AMD use PGA Sockets. But from AM5, they have moved on to LGA Socket.
3. Are bent CPU pins repairable?
Answer: Well, it depends on the type of damage. If the CPU has only bent pins, it’s more likely a repairable damage. You can repair the bent pins using different objects such as credit card, blade, knife, mechanical pencil, or sewing needle. But if the CPU pins are broken (or bent beyond repair), then the chances of normal repair are slim to none.
4. Can a CPU with bent pins still work?
Answer: Yes. There is a chance that a CPU with bent pins can still work if the pins make proper contact with the socket. But the CPU might be overheating or have performance issues or random shutdowns.
5. What if a pin breaks off while trying to fix it?
Answer: If the CPU pin break while you are trying to fix a bend, it is still repairable by soldering the pin back in its place. Keep in mind that this needs high level of expertise in micro-soldering.
6. Can bent CPU pins cause overheating?
Answer: Yes. Bent CPU pins can cause overheating of the CPU. If the bent CPU doesn’t make proper contact with the corresponding point in the socket, then the pin will warm up and this in turn causes the CPU to overheat.
Conclusion
The CPU pins are one of the most vital and sensitive elements of the CPU, and we have to handle them with more precautions and delicacy. If you received a damaged piece from the manufacturer, it is better to inform and read the warranty guidelines and proceed accordingly. But if you accidently bent the pins while installing or through some other means, then there are ways to fix the issue. We saw some of the DIY techniques on how to fix bent CPU pins in this guide. If the damage is beyond the capabilities of these methods, then seeking professional help is a good option.
