Unexpected Shutdowns / CPU not passing mobo's test

[Lucbece]

Last Saturday my computer started experiencing unexpected shutdowns, but I was still able to use it. Next day it wouldn’t turn on, and the GPU led (on the mobo) was solid red, while a long beep followed by 3 short beeps sounded. Apparently the GPU was dead so I replaced it with a new (and better) one. I might’ve forced the PCI-e port a bit, because even with the new card sometimes the same error showed up. The partial solution to that was to keep the pc horizontal, so as to reduce the torque applied to the PCI port. The PC started working.

Given the context, these are the problems I am facing right now:

1-      PC shuts down almost every time I play a game.

2-      Sometimes when I turn on the PC, the CPU led on the mobo lights up, solid red, no sounds at all from the time I press the power button. No image at all.

I was also facing some drivers issues, which also led to unexpected shutdowns and some blue screens. Because of that I formatted the SSD and reinstalled windows.

 

Things I’ve tried to solve/troubleshoot my situation:

1 – Reinstalled Windows
       Added a fan next to the southbridge (it was getting hot)

2 – Hold the power button to perform a power drain (works sometimes)
       Reset the BIOS by reseating the jumper. (always works)

My setup:

CPU: AMD FX 6300
Mother: Asus M5A97 Evo r2.0
Ram: Corsair 2x4gb 1333Mhz
SSD: Samsung 850 Evo 250Gb
GPU: ASROCK RX 580 OC 8GB

PSU: Sentey Essential 750W 80+Bronze

 

My thoughts: Apart from the GPU, the PSU is the newest component of the setup, which makes me think it’s unlikely to be broken or malfunctioning. Also, I’m 100% sure the CPU requires a thermal paste replacement, which I’ll be performing this evening.

I believe the issue relies on the motherboard or the CPU (or maybe both), but there might be other things to do/try before changing those components (here in Argentina we pay more than double for pretty much everything, particularly electronic components/devices)

 

Any help or guide will be appreciated, I´ll upload any other info if required.

[TheGlenlivet]

Reseat the CPU when you do the paste replacement.