Thermal Grizzly now offers delidded Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPUs for nearly double the price, complete with warranty coverage and testing documentation.
Thermal Grizzly has expanded its delidded CPU offerings with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, joining the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K in the company's premium lineup of bare-die processors.
The Delidding Premium
The pricing structure reveals the significant markup for convenience. While AMD's standard Ryzen 7 9850X3D retails for around $430, Thermal Grizzly's delidded version commands $876.33 – nearly double the cost. The 9800X3D follows a similar pattern at $794.43 versus its $400 MSRP, while the flagship 9950X3D reaches $1,168.83 compared to approximately $700 retail.
Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K sits at $934.83, representing a smaller percentage increase but still substantial for what amounts to removing a metal lid.
What You Get for the Premium
Beyond the delidded CPU itself, Thermal Grizzly provides:
- The removed Integrated Heatspreader (IHS)
- A USB flash drive containing testing protocols and verification screenshots
- Microscope images of the delidded processor
- A documentation card detailing delidding results
The company performs its own verification testing before shipping, ensuring each chip functions correctly post-delidding.
Warranty Coverage
Perhaps most notably, Thermal Grizzly offers 24 months of warranty coverage on these modified processors. For the first year, the company accepts responsibility for nearly any failure not caused by obvious user damage. This is particularly significant given that both AMD and Intel void warranties on modified CPUs.
However, the warranty explicitly excludes overclocking "beyond the manufacturer's specified values" – an odd limitation considering most delidding enthusiasts pursue maximum clock speeds rather than thermal improvements.
Technical Considerations
Delidding fundamentally changes how these processors interface with cooling solutions. The thick heatspreaders on both AMD and Intel CPUs create significant air gaps with stock heatsinks, reducing thermal efficiency. By removing this barrier, direct-die cooling can achieve superior temperature management.
Thermal Grizzly specifically notes that the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is incompatible with its Direct Die frames, while the other models work optimally with the company's cooling solutions. The firm also explicitly states that the original heatspreader "must never be used under any circumstances" – using it voids the warranty.
Historical Context and Risks
The practice of delidding carries inherent risks. Hardware enthusiasts may recall the original AMD Athlon processors, which shipped as bare-die chips without heatspreaders. These were notoriously fragile and easily damaged during heatsink installation.
Modern delidded CPUs face similar challenges. Without the protective heatspreader, the silicon die becomes vulnerable to physical damage. Additionally, cooling solutions must be precisely spaced for the thinner, lid-less chip to ensure proper contact without excessive pressure.
Market Position
Thermal Grizzly's offering targets enthusiasts who want the absolute best thermal performance without the risk of DIY delidding. The service eliminates the potential for catastrophic failure during the delidding process while providing professional verification and warranty coverage.
For those chasing every last MHz or seeking optimal acoustics through improved cooling efficiency, the premium might be justified. However, the substantial price increase means this remains a niche product for the most dedicated enthusiasts willing to pay for convenience and peace of mind.
The expansion to four delidded CPU models demonstrates sustained demand for this premium service, even at prices approaching double the standard retail cost.
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