Can an Intel processor be damaged by excessive heat?

I have been studying microprocessors since my father gave me a truck load of
old IBM parts he traded for a TV he sold at his place of business when I was
7 years old. I was tasked to salvage parts for use in the repair of
consumer electronics. Needless to say, I was entertained throughout my
school years making things and imaginating using the parts to fly around the
universe. As I got older I wanted to know what computers were, not just
what they do, but how they are designed, the chemical makeup, doping,
manufacturing, testing, certifying, and safety processes used to protect
them.

A recent exchange with some Over Clock enthusiasts sparked an interest in me
to seek out some information about the SOA (Safe Operating Area)
specifications of the current batch of processors. In particular the
thermal monitor process used to protect Intel processors being used by
computer enthusiasts. Having read many data books from manufactures on all
types of electronic, mechanical, and chemical products I am familiar with
data sheets and how to read them.

I wanted to know if it was possible to 'fry' an Intel microprocessor by over
heating it. I located a number of design manuals that addressed my interest.
See them at: http://www.intel.com/design/core2duo/documentation.htm The
one that was on subject to my question at hand was: Intel® CoreT2 Duo
Processor and Intel® Pentium® Dual Core Processor Thermal and Mechanical
Design Guidelines - Supporting the Intel® CoreT2 Duo processor E6000¹ and
E4000¹ Sequences and Intel® Pentium® Dual Core Processor E2000¹ Sequence
(3.78MB). To quote:

"In the original implementation of thermal monitor this is done by changing
the duty cycle of the internal processor clocks, resulting in a lower
effective frequency. When active, the TCC turns the processor clocks off
and then back on with a predetermined duty cycle. " And a second method is
Thermal Monitor 2 method. To quote:

When TM2 is enabled, and a high temperature situation is detected, the
enhanced TCC will be activated. The enhanced TCC caused the processor to
adjust its operating frequency (by dropping the bus-to-core multiplier to
its minimum available value) and input voltage identification (VID) value.
This combination of reduced frequency and VID results in a reduction in
processor power consumption.

I have known for quite some time that all advanced OpAmps, regulators, and
Microprocessors use SOA techniques to protect them from excessive thermal
exposure. They will simply SHUT DOWN before they will blow up. (Not that
manufacturing defects may cause a component to fly apart from time to time.)

So their you have it, you can not damage an Intel processor by excessive
heat. You can however cause them to shut down and stop working.

Anyone have a different opinion? I am interested in hearing them.

William


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