AMD’s new Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 series “Granite Ridge” desktop CPUs are slowly making their way into the market, and the first attempt at delidding one of these CPUs has unfortunately resulted in a complete failure. ASUS China manager Tony Yu, known for his tech expertise and willingness to experiment, attempted to delid a Ryzen 9000 series CPU. Delidded refers to the process of removing the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) from a CPU, allowing for the application of higher-performance thermal paste like liquid metal. This process can significantly reduce CPU temperatures under demanding workloads, but it comes with inherent risks.
Tony Yu shared his experience on the social media platform Bilibili, detailing the unfortunate outcome. He described his attempt as the “world’s first” Zen 5 delidded CPU and revealed that the procedure resulted in a cracked I/O die on the processor. This crack rendered the CPU completely unusable. The damage was evident on both the IHS and the chip itself, showcasing the severity of the mistake. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with delidding, particularly with new generations of CPUs.
Despite this setback, the Ryzen 9000 series has garnered positive attention for its performance and efficiency. Kosta, a prominent tech reviewer, highlighted the Ryzen 7 9700X’s impressive performance, particularly for tasks like 4K video editing, game development, and 3D rendering. He stated that enthusiasts seeking a powerful and efficient mid-range CPU should consider the Ryzen 7 9700X, which manages to outperform the Ryzen 9 7950X while consuming significantly less power. The efficiency gains of the Ryzen 9000 series, while impressive, are still considered a rare feat in the tech world. While the Ryzen 7 9700X provides an excellent balance of performance and efficiency for most users, the upcoming Ryzen 7 9700X3D promises to further revolutionize the market with its advanced features and performance enhancements. With these developments, AMD continues to push boundaries and deliver innovative CPU solutions that cater to diverse computing needs.
