How Can I Diagnose a Failing CPU vs. Motherboard?
Asked by
TechWizKid92
I'm having trouble with my boyfriend's PC, which has been randomly shutting down and sometimes showing a BIOS error when we try to boot it up. The system has also been intermittently failing to detect the M2 SSD, and it experiences boot loops with a blank screen. Occasionally, it will boot into Windows but mostly remains stuck on a black screen. We've done quite a bit of troubleshooting by switching the M2 between different ports, moving the RAM sticks around, testing different PSUs, changing power cables, and even installing a new SATA SSD with a fresh Windows setup. We're starting to suspect that the motherboard might be the issue, but I've heard that a failing CPU could also cause these boot loops. How can we differentiate between the two before we decide to buy new components? Here are the specs of the build: Asus TUF B360M-PLUS Gaming motherboard, Intel Core i7-8700 CPU, 16GB DDR4-2133 RAM, and a Gigabyte RX 5700 XT GPU.
Answers
It's usually tough to determine whether it's a motherboard or CPU issue without spare parts. If the system has been running smoothly for years and now is having problems, I suggest giving everything a thorough clean with an air duster, and try reseating the CPU after cleaning it with an alcohol wipe—don't forget to apply new thermal paste! After that, reset the BIOS to defaults and see if the issues persist. If it still acts up, it might be time to consider upgrading your PC since those parts are getting a bit outdated.
Reply to this answer
It sounds like it could be a motherboard issue. I had a similar experience where my motherboard acted up and caused all sorts of strange behaviors. Keep an eye on it!
Reply to this answer
Don't forget to check the CMOS battery; sometimes a weak battery can cause boot issues. Also, if you haven’t already, you might want to look into getting a new power supply as well to rule out power problems.
Reply to this answer
The easiest way to get a diagnosis is to test the CPU on a different motherboard that has the same chipset. If you don’t have a spare motherboard, you might consider picking up an inexpensive one to test the CPU. If everything works on the new board, then your motherboard is the problem. If not, you may need to look into replacing the CPU.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
TechWizKid92: Yep, it's quite old; the build was done back in 2019 but still meets his needs. We found a compatible replacement motherboard, but it won’t ship for two weeks, and we need it faster since he uses the PC for work. I've cleaned it out—it’s dust-free now. We’ll try reapplying the thermal paste tomorrow since it’s been a year since we last did it. If this doesn't work, we might just go for a new motherboard and CPU. Thanks for the tips!