Can I break my Pi in a way that can't be fixed with a new SD card?

Question

Aside from physical damage (treading on it), is there anything that I could do to the Pi that could irreversibly damage it? More specifically, will anything I can do with code, or by prematurely taking out the SD card (I know this can corrupt the SD card) damage the device?

Answer 1

Here is a quote from Gert.

Do NOT experiment with trying to guess registers in that area. Especially if you start 'playing' with, or accidentally hit a power register you have the small, but distinct possibility of blowing up your PI.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8496&p=101319

So, apparently, yes, there is the possibility of activating a power register and frying the RPI.

Answer 2

You could overclock the RPi through over_voltage. Overclocking it through arm_freq and gpu_freq is supported, but over_voltage can damage the CPU and will void your warranty. You do this through your config.txt. Here is a related question that gives a bit more information on overclocking and its dangers.