Over-clocking/Warranty

I'm not 100% certain because I've never tried it, but if you pop the heat shield off of the CPU and then X-Ray the die, someone skilled in the chip's architecture could probably tell if the CPU was overvolted.

Since semiconductor foundries routinely X-Ray and use electron microscopes on chips for QC purposes, I don't think it would be hard for someone at Intel or AMD to X-Ray a returned chip.

Now, whether they would really do it, I don't know, but they do have the tools at their disposal.

sygnus21 said:

I seriously doubt the RMA department is going to that extensive in examining returned chips. Unless there are obvious signs, or a strong suspicion, they're just going to do a quick exam, maybe a test or two, and move on.

Oh definitely. They might trot it out if they had a specific user/company returning chips frequently, but you're right. I doubt they would do it for just anyone, or make it a regular occurrence, but they do have the gear.