A Hello and a question on how to keep Slot CPUs

[Primergy]

Ahoi, new to this forum and semi new to collecting CPUs etc.

Since I started volunteering at a place that also recycles computers I have been in contact with ALLOT of processors.
I kept a few weird and rare specimen over the past years,
but never considered myself a collector - until now.

Here is my first noob-question:
How to collect Slot 1, 2, A.. processors?!?
Should I leave the (factory) coolers on?! Especially the original Intel coolers can be a bit tough to remove.
I don't want to have a huge number of different aftermarket coolers in my collection,
at the same time the original Intel ones do not look too bad.

What is the common way to handle them in a collection?

[johnorun]

I have gotten hold of lots of Slot 1 CPUs from discarded PCs (obtained free through my local Freecycle.com website).
I have kept the ones with kool coolers intact and to satisfy my curiousity, I have stripped some "naked", which allows me to check out the actual ceramic Pentium chip.
I don't know which way is the most collectible, so I'd leave some intact until you hear from other voices here.

Welcome to a great group, BTW!!

[smithy]

The problem is they take up soooo much space. I am stripping all of it off including the covers and just leaving the bare boards. Where there is no label on the board with the sSpec number, I'm putting a sticker on to identify each one. From a true collector's point of view this would, however, be a big no no, but I prefer to look at the cpu/board than a black plastic covering...

[Windmiller]

[CPUShack]

I like them in their cases then I can kinda shuffle them like cards and think back to when they were hundreds of dollars.

[Cpuswe]

I try to keep them as they where sold by Intel. If there are a fan shipped by Intel it is kept, and a local PC dealer attached a cheap fan it goes. In no way the case will go. Thats the soul of the chip where birth date and name are printed.

[el_gecko]

[debs3759]

Likewise, I like to keep chips and cards in the condition they were originally sold. Chips that are usable can then still be either used or tested.

I also like to have heatsinks and/or fans for testing other cards and boards, although that seems to be less common (I don't collect the coolers though, I just like to have a selection in reserve).

[Primergy]

Sorry for the delayed replay and thanks for your opinions!

I would agree on removing aftermarket coolers and leaving original ones.

Next thing in line would be looking for a good storage and ESD protection.
I will also have to figure out the best ways and techniques on how to straighten pins out,
remove glued on coolers, remove glue and other nasty hardcore residue.

I have ~550CPUs piled in cardboard boxes atm. all waiting for a cleaning,
evaluation and to be put in my tiny access database I created (bored at work).