UPDATE: AMD has updated its FAQ page clarifying that the use of aftermarket cooling solutions for AMD Ryzen will not void the processor’s warranty provided it “supports operation of the AMD processor in conformance with AMD’s publicly available specifications.”
Yes, provided that the selected HSF, when properly installed and used, supports operation of the AMD processor in conformance with AMD’s publicly available specifications. Use of HSF solutions determined by AMD as incapable of such performance or which are determined to have contributed to the failure of the processor shall invalidate the warranty.
Original Story: PC enthusiasts often like to use aftermarket cooling solutions for their CPUs especially when overclocking them, however, using aftermarket cooling solution for your AMD Ryzen processor will void its warranty.
If you go to AMD’s official website and look for FAQs, you will notice that AMD has noted in one of the FAQs that using an aftermarket cooling solution like heatsink or fan will void the warranty on your AMD Ryzen processor.
However, AMD didn’t reveal the reason behind this decision and this condition is an unusual one as usually processor warranty doesn’t become void if you are using an aftermarket cooling solution.
Furthermore, according to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, companies aren’t allowed to put such specific conditions on a product warranty such as “Warrantors cannot require that only branded parts be used with the product in order to retain the warranty”.
While this law does negate AMD’s condition over the warranty for its AMD Ryzen products but AMD’s condition to use stock coolers is only illegal if they make you buy it separately but in this case, the stock coolers come with the processors and Federal Trade commision does allow AMD to put such restrictions on its product warranty.
While AMD’s restriction over its product warranty is within the bounds of the law but, that doesn’t mean this is right as using aftermarket fans or heatsinks doesn’t do any physical damage, they are there to keep the CPU temperature in check.
Speaking of the Ryzen, the Ryzen 2000 series has launched and pro-overclockers have managed to overclock Ryzen 7 2700X to 6 GHz clock speed.
The motherboard used to overclock the Ryzen 72700X to 6GHz across all cores was Crosshair VII Hero and the cooling solution used was obviously liquid nitrogen.
What do you think of AMD negating Ryzen warranty for the use of aftermarket heatsinks or fans? Let us know in the comments.
