How to check if a cpu is shorted out

[Sandan]

I have an AMD athlon dual core 4850e that I suspect is shorted out. It was in a system that the PSU blew up shooting sparks and frying a Motherboard. I haven't tried to put the 4850e cpu in a new board I got for fear of damaging the board. Instead I bought a new cpu the 5050e which is working well. Question is: How can I tell if the 4850e cpu is shorted? I don't see any black or burnt spots and none of the pins are bent. I have a spare am2 board which I want to build but am afraid to put the cpu in it. So, other than putting it on a motherboard is there a way to tell if it is good or bad?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Could always send it in for RMA without testing it.

 

[Sandan]

Problem with that is the cpu is oem and have had it for about 4-5 months. Past the time newegg will exchange oem.

 

[Sandan]

Any other thoughts on this. I am really hesitant to put the cpu in a good motherboard and chance harming the board. Local computer shops want 50 bucks or more to check it out (Can buy a new one for that price). Did a google search on what a shorted cpu looks like or problems it can cause and can't find much.

 

[Idontcare]

Bottom line is the only practical way for a consumer to check for CPU damage is to pop it into a mobo and see if it boots.

To be sure there is risk to your mobo (and to everything else connected electrically to the rig at the time) but it is really your only choice unless you want to get a voltmeter out and start checking all the pins manually for shorts where there shouldn't be one. (some pins will be intentionally shorted, these are power-supply pins)

 

[Sandan]

Thank you Idontcare..guess i just need to be make a choice.