I recently wanted to check out my CPU before buying a used one, so I removed it for reference. Now that I've put everything back together, my PC powers on but doesn't boot. I've already tried reseating the RAM, CPU, and GPU without success. I also posted some pictures of the CPU and motherboard for reference. Any ideas on what might be wrong?
1 Answer
First thing to check is whether you mounted the CPU cooler correctly after reassembling everything. If the thermal paste has dried out or is uneven, it could cause overheating, making the CPU not function properly. Make sure you apply a fresh layer of thermal paste if needed!
The thermal paste feels slightly thin and spotty, but it's not completely dry.