Here is a question I hope someone can answer. Does an Athlon still get hot if it's dead? I have a new motherboard and I can't get it to post(no beeps or video) after trying quite a few things. I have noticed the heatsink on the processor gets hot like the cpu is working even when the system hasn't posted. So to rule out the cpu as the problem, does a cpu still get hot even if it's dead.....Thanks in advance.

Not too sure to be honest. Have you got another CPU to try with the PC? You could also try different memory, IE removing some if you have more than one stick, or just having a different type. -Chris

The MB is an ECS K7S5A, and I have tried another cpu and also different memory that I know are good, but it just doesn't post. No beeps and nothing from 2 different video cards. The second cpu I tried is an Athlon Thunderbird, but I am not sure if the MB is compatible...but I believe it is. The first cpu I am trying to get working is an Athlon XP1800...it gets hot like its working, but with no post I can't tell. If I knew for sure that a dead cpu doesn't get hot then that would help rule out the cpu as being the problem. Does anybody know if a dead cpu can still get hot or does it just not work....Thanks?

i'm not sure, but i would guess so...it's still connected to your psu. I once was trying to jumpstart a car...but the other car's battery was full (it must have been the starter or something). anyway, the other car's battery wouldn't take the charge/power from my battery....and the jump cables started melting.

only way to know if the cpu is truly dead is put it in a board that you know works. If you dont have one go to a computer shop and let them test it for you. Also...have you tried resetting the cmos. You should have a jumper to do this on the board. If not. pull the cmos battery on the board for a minute and put it back in and try to start the system.

And Pray to God that it doesn't destroy that motherboard too! Best way to see if your cpu is dead, is get ANOTHER cpu and put it in your motherboard, but the motherboard may then destroy your new cpu! THAT happened to me. Think about it this way. Check ALL of the chi[s on the motherboard. See if any have ANY cracks in them (if they overheat, they crack their black casing sometimes). If not, then you can take the risk of checking your motherboard by putting a new cpu in. I would not do it the otherway around. A wrecked cpu will destroy the next motherboard you put it in if it is fused the right way! Take it from someone who found out the hard way.

Computer shop will test the cpu for less than what it would take to buy a new motherboard.