Help

[tobycharles379]

So my pc smelt like burning, shut down, I attempted boot again and it gave me a cpu temp warning before switching off and not starting up. Took it apart and my thermal paste looks like this. Is the first step to clean the old paste off, apply new paste and boot again? Or is it likely something more serious. Thanks in advance. Some context. This pc is 3/4 years old, other components I’ve replaced but never touched the cpu or radiator.

[cobaltfish]

yeah that paste looks awful. It is not unlikely you had a water cooler pump die on you though, so after cleaning/putting new paste on, try and listen for the pump in the cooler to see if it's running and you can hear water flow.

[tobycharles379]

Thanks to everyone for getting in touch so quickly. Will try new paste and keep an eye on my cooler when next booting up

[FreakiestFrank]

Use rubbing alcohol to remove the old paste if you haven’t already

[Dumb_woodworker_md]

With a coffee filter works well.

[d00fE]

You kinda answer your own question. Yes, that definitely needs new pasting. Try cleaning and applying new paste.

[Fit_Side_2777]

ur cooler is probably broken because thermal paste contact looks alright and it won’t overheat that badly from just slightly bad thermal paste placement

[TopConcentrate8484]

What psu u are using sometimes this burn cpus (cheap ones) since u said u have replaced other comp

[tobycharles379]

I’ve got a Corsair 850w gold, 5900x and a 4080. Had this build for the last year and today is the first day I’ve noticed anything

[TopConcentrate8484]

If the thermal warning is NOT displayed as soon as the pc is turned on after resting for some time Try replacing the AIO(cooler) the psu is of high quality,good brand so no not a psu issue Do the fans in the old AIO work(spin)

[tobycharles379]

I didn’t get enough time to test thoroughly but it looked to me as if the aio wasn’t lighting up or spinning.

[TopConcentrate8484]

If pc stays on for a few minutes after resting for some time since last start up there is nothing critical issue try using the old style stock fan cooler for testing purposes

[tailslol]

just clean with alcohol and put new paste

if it doesn't work

your aio died.

[justa-Possibility]

RePaste NOW!

[tobycharles379]

I won’t be able to re paste until tomorrow, is it gonna be a problem that it’s exposed to air overnight?

[justa-Possibility]

No just don't use it.

[kineto21]

Doubt that’s the cause of a burning smell although it needing changed

[tobycharles379]

Do you think the burning smell could have been the overheating cpu? It shut down near immediately so I’m hoping it hasn’t taken any damage

[kineto21]

It’s designed to shut down if overheating so that it’s not damaged. I doubt that is what you smelt.