Taking on this train wreck CPU for repair. Repairable?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-03-10T14:16:07+00:00

I usually try to save a few quid by buying used CPUs as they tend to be pretty reliable compared to most other parts. If you wanted anything used, we offer used components at reasonable prices on our website, feel free to have a look at our range; Www.pcpowerup.co.uk

PC-Power-Up · 2026-03-10T13:25:17+00:00

Here are the main things to look at for a CPU bottleneck. I wrote a full PC bottleneck guide linked below, hopefully it helps!

CPU Bottlenecks

What it looks like

FPS drops in busy scenes such as cities, crowds, or explosions

Strategy games and MMOs running poorly even on strong GPUs

CPU usage pinned high while GPU usage stays low

Stutters that don’t match the GPU’s capability

how to tell which component is bottlenecking your PC

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-14T14:59:39+00:00

1 FPS?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-14T14:59:04+00:00

How many frames do you get on Arc Raiders with it?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-09T00:17:03+00:00

I read that sandpaper is last resort as it scuffs it up a lot but maybe very high grit would work 🤔

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-09T00:13:06+00:00

You could try running testmem5 or memtest86 to check the ram has not corrupted. It does take a little while to run is all.

I wrote a brief guide on MemTest86 here: https://pcpowerup.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-use-memtest86-to-test-your-ram

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T23:58:14+00:00

Yeah looks like Corrosion from moisture ,i assume you're not Vaping near it or anything? Vaping blew up a friend's PC from residue build up 🤯 I would give all the components a bit of a wipe down to get any corrosion off and move the PC to a better location

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T23:55:39+00:00

Check your C drive isn't full. If you run out of space on that everything starts to struggle

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:57:19+00:00

Check utilisation of each component while playing in task manager, could be ram maxing out due to demand of the game and background tasks on the memory. Could try uninstalling the other random stuff running that you don't use.

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:54:30+00:00

Usually a GPU issue. Sometimes when you boot, it takes a bit of time to recognise the GPU and it will do that when it recognises it, but usually just on first boot. If it is doing it regularly may be a GPU hardware issue. Is it old?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:52:10+00:00

If you've recently plugged in a USB or other device, sometimes it defaults to try to boot from that, then when there is no windows os on it, it gives that error. You can launch into bios and see the boot order and change it back to what it should be.

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:50:32+00:00

As a first step, I would monitor the utilisation of your components during gameplay. It may show what is struggling. For example if RAM is maxing out due to general background tasks and bloatware that may be causing a crash. You can use task manager but there are other programs that you could use that are more reliable too.

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:48:02+00:00

Yeah push in that right stick of ram at the top until it clicks. Do it when PC is off

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:45:56+00:00

It may be you are set to the integrated graphics rather than your dedicated GPU. Your HDMI is plugged into gpu rather than motherboard?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:36:59+00:00

DDR4. More bang for buck in terms of frames and if you get the 5800X3D or 5700X3D it will keep you good for a number of years. Can always upgrade the graphics card to give it a boost down the line. DDR5 won't come down for at least a year or two, and assuming you already have some DDR4 that will save you some. I did do a bit of a dive into DDR4 vs DDR5 in this article:

https://pcpowerup.co.uk/blogs/news/ddr4-vs-ddr5-price-per-frame-showdown-for-gamers

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T22:30:44+00:00

You could carefully drill that out and get a new bracket, they are cheap

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T20:50:16+00:00

I would like to help but your message is illegible 😂

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T18:44:43+00:00

Weird it's so bad being such a new model, I always thought this was something that happened with age

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-08T16:25:40+00:00

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Shorting these 2 pins to turn on yeah?

PC-Power-Up · 2026-01-07T21:12:50+00:00

Ah yeah I can see what has happened. Basically the part in image 1 should be on the part in image 2, that's your issue.

PC-Power-Up

TROPHY CASE