HackerTube / Video
What happens when the CPU cooler is removed?
AdDiCt Zorz
A short 2001 Tom's Hardware clip that runs Quake 3 on several popular CPU and motherboard combinations of the era, then removes the CPU cooler to see which chips survive. It shows how different processors handle losing their heatsink or fan.
HN commenters cite it as the famous demonstration of what happens to CPUs without thermal protection, especially the Athlon burning out.
3 Hacker News mentions · 2016–2025