Reflowing i7 CPU to fix memory issues?

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Pada

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I'm wondering if I should take the chance of trying to do a reflow on my i7 950 CPU, like I've done with the 8800GTX graphics card.

The problem that I have is that the CPU would randomly detect my 3x 2GB Corsair (CM3X2G1600C8D) DDR3 1600MHz 1.65V CL8-8-8-24 memory - where most of the time it would only pick up 4GB in the BIOS, and once only 2GB.
I currently have an i7 940 CPU installed and the memory is working perfectly every single time on my Asus P6T Deluxe v2 motherboard.

I still have to perform some additional tests as to if it works perfectly with only 1x 2GB or 2x 2GB modules installed.

When I had all 3 modules installed in a very weird slot configuration, it detected all 3 modules, but then I had memory issues when I ran 7-zip's benchmark, where it can't decompress/decrypt correctly.

Now my question is whether I should try and do a reflow or do you guys think the circuitry in charge of the memory are integrated and not exposed at the bottom of the CPU?

I will see if boosting the DRAM Voltage to 1.7V would help and fixing the timings to 8-8-8-24 for 1066MHz. I don't know the previous history of the CPU, so I just guess that someone overclocked it too far and caused it to have dry solder joints.
 
Personally I would first try to adjust (slow down) the memory timings in the Bios to see if that helps. Have you tried a different brand of DIMMs? I have an AMD motherboard that won't recognise the RAM unless I lower the speed. Unless you have confirmation from other users that a reflow will help I personally wouldn't risk destroying the processor.
 
Yotch, the RAM works perfectly well with a different CPU in the exact same setup (no changes to BIOS / motherboard / RAM).

I haven't seen anyone really who tried to perform a reflow on a CPU. I've seen numerous laptop / graphics card reflows work.
 
Pada said:
Yotch, the RAM works perfectly well with a different CPU in the exact same setup (no changes to BIOS / motherboard / RAM).

I haven't seen anyone really who tried to perform a reflow on a CPU. I've seen numerous laptop / graphics card reflows work.
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I cant see how it would work on a CPU and that is probably why no one has tried it.

My guess, 90% chance you kill it, 10% chance nothing happens.
 
BrianB said:
My guess, 90% chance you kill it, 10% chance nothing happens.
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Putting your CPU in the oven will probably kill it. It might fix a dry solder joint on a motherboard or GPU, but I really doubt it will work on a CPU.

Shouldn't it still be within it's warranty period anyway?
 
BrianB said:
I cant see how it would work on a CPU and that is probably why no one has tried it.

My guess, 90% chance you kill it, 10% chance nothing happens.
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Either way, the CPU is useless when it is giving memory issues.
 
KhoisanX said:
Shouldn't it still be within it's warranty period anyway?
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I'm not sure.

Apparently the i7 950 CPU's was released in June 2009, so then it might still be under warranty - although I'm not sure if they would replace/fix it.

Do you know if there's a way to check if it would be still under warranty, because I'm about to ask the Prophecy Shop people if they can swap it out for me.
 
Yup, there is no solder within the CPU, but there is solder underneath the CPU which was what I was about to try and reflow.

I'll definitely try to go on the warranty path first - thanks for that KhoisanX & Archer.

If the warranty thing doesn't pan out - I'd love to bake the CPU as an experiment :D
 
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