Is AMD's hot new Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming CPU going into meltdown? Two reports from gamers experiencing dramatic CPU «burn outs» involving AMD's new wonder chip have emerged in recent days (via Videocardz).
However, early indications are that user error or a narrow manufacturing error are the likely explanations. The 9800X3D aside, common to both burn outs is MSI's MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard, prompting the company to put out a brief statement. «Recently, we received a user report indicating damage to an AMD Ryzen™ 7 9800X3D processor on an MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard.
At MSI, we are fully committed to the quality of our products and have begun investigating this incident.» So, what exactly is going on?
For now, nothing is certain. The two incidents, one reported on Reddit, and the other on Quasarrzone forums, appear to be very similar.
In both cases, the 9800X3D chip suffered from what appears to be shorting out, resulting in substantial burn marks on the bottom of the CPU and also on the CPU socket pins and, shall we say, a failure to operate.