So my motherboard has some bent pins on the cpu socket and this obviously voids the warranty. So I was wondering if I should try to bend the pins back but, could that hurt my cpu? Or is it just worth buying a new one? Motherboard is Asus H81M-K.
As long as you get the pins pretty close to where they were the cpu should be ok. There are plenty of bent pin boards about still running in systems, eg x58 boards.
Things can be bad if pins are going to the wrong pad or shorting to another pin. Take you time, rushing will lead to snapped pins.
Use a fine razer blade or the smallest flathead screwdriver (jeweler's ones), have good lighting so you can check the alignment in all directions.
Best of luck. Also worth noting that Asus did used to offer a socket replacement service, may be worth giving them a call.
Thanks for the reply. I called Asus about socket repair but is was more than the price of a new board. I think I'm going to try to bend them back and if it doesn't work I'll get a new one.
I had a client that had me RMA an x58 mobo that he had bent the pins on and they said that it was not their fault but offered a new board at less than one third the cost of retail. I was pretty impressed with EVGA's customer service.