You forgot to install the cpu… This could totally cause the issue.
Concrete evidence
I was expecting a “remove before installing” sticker.
My go-to for that was always a soft guitar pick with the tip cut off. It seems like this was applied buy a goon with a spoon.
Nah, it’s not necessary to do more than an X for larger CPUs or a pea for smaller ones. This is just thermal paste that’s dried up.
Yep, the X method has served me well for decades. I honestly don’t understand why some people insist on slathering on thermal paste like they were making a cake. An X and nice even pressure while you’re screwing down the heatsink is all you need.
Thermal paste? More like thermal dirt.
Well yeah that isn’t optimal but I doubt the PC will run any faster. If you were reaching thermal throttling temperatures with that paste you probably will hit them even after replacing the paste. Do you have a program like HWinfo that could monitor the temps and log if you’re hitting the throttle limit?
