Above: opened Pentium 133. I did not have time to angle the lighting to make the die look pretty and iridescent

Opening up formerly expensive integrated circuits is a ton of fun. My
favorites are old Pentiums. What I use and how:

- gas stove. You could probably use electric, but I hate electric ranges. 
- small jeweler's type screwdrivers or 14 guage solid copper wire
- ceramic case IC to sacrifice
- small stip of Al foil

It's best to wash your chip first with dish detergent or alcohol to remove
any finger oils. They will sometimes stain the ceramic when heated. Place
the chip flat side down on s strip of foil just larger then the chip
itself. Put this on the burner of your stove and starting on low work your
way up to a medium flame over a few minute period. Do not go too fast or
the ceramic might crack and shoot into your face. Prod at the solder
meniscus that seals the cover onto the bottom of the chip. On Pentiums this
tends to be a black ceramic square. Some older ones and 486s have a gold
looking metal square. Scratch at this solder until it the whole thing is
hot enough and it starts to flow. Pry the metal or ceramic cover off with
your screwdriver and wire. Let everythign cool for a long time. Now you
have a Precision Busted open IC to show everybody. The thin aluminum wires
that are bonded from the die to the ceramic carrier are fun to tear off as
well.

Somebody send me a Pentium 60, Pentium 66 or Pentium Pro. I want to open one
of them myself sometime.

02-24-2000