The CPU, ie the processor of your computer, is the heart of the computer. It calculates all important processes and procedures within your computer.

How to recognize a defective computer processor

The CPU, ie the processor of your computer, is the heart of the computer. It calculates all important processes and procedures within your computer. It becomes correspondingly critical when your CPU is defective.

Your CPU: the heart of your computer

A defective CPU can affect all functions of your computer. But how exactly does a CPU actually work?

To explain exactly how it works would certainly go beyond the scope of this article.

However, we would like to give you some roughly summarized information about your processor so that you can better recognize whether your CPU is defective and how you can test your CPU so that you can clearly classify a defect.

The processor is responsible for almost all of your computer's processes. For example, when you open a program, it is your CPU that is responsible for how and when it is displayed on your screen.

In short, this is done via machine instructions. The performance of your CPU is based on how many machine instructions the processor can execute per second.

The performance is given in hearts. With the number of cores, however, you get more of a basic indicator of the speed of your CPU.

How you can recognize a defective CPU and carry out a CPU test is explained in the following article.

What sources of error can occur if the processor is defective?

First, let's start with the corresponding errors that can occur on your computer when your processor is broken. In the worst case, your computer won't start at all.

The source of the error can also lie with a number of other hardware components, such as the power supply unit. However, this case is a clear indication of the CPU. It is now a

matter of probing the sources of error and eliminating them by means of a process of elimination.

Other indicators are the warning signals of your BIOS. This signals to you through various sound combinations that there are problems with certain hardware parts.

You should find out about the corresponding tones from your motherboard manufacturer so that you can find out if your BIOS is signalling that there is a problem with your processor.

Unfortunately, there is no standardized tone, since these tones are different for the different mainboard manufacturers and the respective models.

In rare cases, a defective CPU can also be noticed by a burnt smell or slight smoke development, but this usually only occurs very rarely.

Testing the CPU - what are the options?

Since the sources of error that occur are not always entirely clear, you should carry out a CPU test so that you can be absolutely sure that your processor is defective.

One possibility that may have led to a defect is bent pins on the CPU. However, this is rather unlikely, but not impossible.

To be sure about this, you have to remove your CPU and take a closer look at the pins on the back.

These pins are extremely sensitive and can easily be bent. If this happened to you during installation, then it cannot be ruled out that this is the cause of your error messages and problems.

However, you can exclude this point from the outset if you have bought a finished computer.

Of course, specialist dealers can also make mistakes, but it is very unlikely that they bent the pins of your CPU during installation.

If the pins are not bent, you can alternatively install the CPU on another computer.

In this way, you can clearly classify a defect if the same errors occur there.

The CPU test with software

If your computer is still reasonably functional and you suspect that your CPU is not working properly, you can also run a test with software.

The freeware "Prime95" subjects your processor to a stress test in order to clearly identify malfunctions and problems.

After you run the test, you let it run. The longer it runs, the better it is and the more accurate the result you get afterwards.

Finally, all occurring errors are displayed. If nothing is there, you can assume that everything is fine.

However, if various error messages are displayed, this does not necessarily mean that your processor is defective.

The cause here can also be your mainboard, RAM memory or insufficient cooling.

CPU broken: what to do?

If you have now found out that your CPU is broken, then the question arises as to how to proceed.

Again, the solution is relatively simple: you will most likely have to buy a new CPU.

Explicitly, if the problem is due to bent pins, there isn't really anything you can do.

If the defect in your processor is due to another problem, there is not much room for maneuver either.

If you have clearly determined that your CPU is the cause of your problems, then in most cases you have no choice but to replace it.

Since the processor is usually one of the most expensive components in your computer, this is of course particularly annoying, but repairing it should not be possible in most cases.