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Intel CPU Warranty Invalid w/o CPU Fan?

Posted by Cliff on from the a-warning-for-intel-CPU-users dept.

saberint asks: "Recently, I had a good argument with Intel as I had a 3.2G P4 chip die on me within 6 months. I sent the CPU back to Intel only to be told that they will NOT honour the warranty because I did not send the fan back with it. Apparently the fan and the CPU's serial must match or else there is no warranty. This 'policy' is not listed on the warranty card or on their website. So for all you network admin or IT support people out there, keep the fan and the CPU together. Has anyone else experienced this with Intel?"

3 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Overclockers and their "huge mamma" fans by Cecil · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have no experience with Intel parts, as I swore off them long ago (their marketing of the processor ID struck the wrong chord with me), but for AMD:

    The fan that comes with the processor is garbage. It may be warranted, but I'm not worried about getting a replacement fan. I *am* worried about keeping the heat and noise levels of my computer to a minimum, and stability to a maximum. The horrifically noisy and weak AMD fans (and their associated undersized heatsinks) may be 'good enough' for people who are used to Windows crashing every couple of days, but it's not good enough for me.

    No, I don't overclock. I've been known to underclock, though. That probably voids my warranty as well. Oh well.

    But if you think the stock HSF is suitable for everyone (or even most, in my opinion) you're absolutely wrong. Do you void your warranty on your car when you replace the all-season tires with Blizzaks? Why should you need to anyway, those tires that came with your car work fine in all seasons, don't they?

    --
    Random and weird software I've written.
  2. Re:Make a call to your lawyer. by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "A letter from your attorney could go a long way toward fixing this. "

    Or you'll get a letter back saying "We cannot guarantee processors that use unapproved fans." Not trying to side with Intel here, but they would have a point. If the processor burned because the fan sucked (or didnt suck?) then you'd be approaching the wrong place about warranty.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  3. AMD seems to have the same policy by madstork2000 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    *NOTE* I did not check AMD's website or the warranty card recently, but when I did I did not notice mention of this policy.

    Anyway, I had an AMD return (using the "home"/retail) support department and they requested that I send the original cooling fan and heatsink.

    Since I had the heatsink, and the CPU was over two years old I did not push the issue, BUT they did seem to have the same policy...

    -MS2k