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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?"

1 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Totally legit. by Padrino121 · · Score: 5, Informative

    There are two tracks for Intel processors, OEM and retail.

    If I remember right the OEM have something like a 15 day warranty from Intel, after that you need to take it up with your reseller.

    The retail CPUs have a three year warranty but they come with a fan designed for the processor right from Intel. It comes as a package and you are only supposed to use the Intel fan, any other will void your warranty.

    I imagine getting the fan serves multiple purposes. Did the CPU die because the fan was weak/dead. Did the user swap it out for another unapproved fan, etc.