Hi! Just curious, since, when installing a cpu (like the p4 lga775), the manual asks you to use quite a bit of caution - "hold the cpu by its edges". but, say, if i install the cpu into a motherboard and don't put the fan on it, can i leave the motherboard w/ the cpu installed in the motherboards anti-electrostatic bag? ...
i was just thinking that you cant even touch the silver side of the cpu, so leaving it without the fan exposes it. but thats really not a problem. thats because im nervous nad overcautious :O
That silver bit isnt the core just a way of reducing the chances of damaging the cpu when installing the hsf.
:doh: shure it's not the core since the heatsink's being pressed down on it heavy. but anyways, now i know for sure!
The oil your body produces is on your fingers too, and that can interfere with the contact pads on the LGA-style chips. Now the silver thing is the integrated heat spreader, or commonly IHS. It does protect the core, and supposedly spreads the heat out over a wider surface area for better dissipation...although some hard core overclockers have taken them off. You can do it, but if you don't do it right, you'll tear off part of the core and kill the CPU. Plus, it voids the warranty...assuming you're concerned with that.
