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1.0 out of 5 starsFailed torque wrench trashed TR4 socket (need new motherboard)
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2019
No doubt, this will be a fine CPU, when I get a chance to use it some day. That will be a while.
Prior to installing into the TR4 socket of my motherboard, I watched the installation video on AMD's web site, and 3 more on YouTube. It is essential to tighten the CPU into the socket with enough pressure that the connectors on the base of the CPU will make adequate contact with the pins in the socket, but to not tighten is so much that it bends those pins. For this reason, AMD supplies a torque wrench. The wrench failed, however, resulting is disaster.
I very carefully followed the procedure of tightening the 3 screws in order — or would have, given the chance. As I tightened the 1st screw slowly, I carefully listened for the tell-tale click of the torque wrench that would indicate maximum safe contact pressure had been attained. The wrench head was supposed to slip at this point, preventing additional torque. Only thing is, that click never came! Instead, the sound I heard was a disquieting scraping sound. After removal of the CPU and inspection of the socket, it was clear that the sound I had heard was hundreds of pins in the socket bending! Note that this didn't harm the CPU (so I can't request a replacement), but instead wrecked the motherboard. AMD's very limited warranty doesn't cover harm to other components resulting from the failure of their torque wrench.
To make matters worse, the very carefully chosen motherboard had since gone out of stock everywhere, and it may be weeks before it is again available.
