Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 - Computer runs smoothly with daily use for two years then suddenly - CPU error light on

SithJawa

Reputable
Oct 31, 2015
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4,510
Firstly, thank you for your time! I'm sure most on this forum know the frustration of troubleshooting hardware.

I built my PC two years ago and have not had any issues until now, I was using my computer at 2AM last night without issue and when I tried to use it this morning just 4 hours later it would not POST and had a CPU error light on the motherboard.

Specs:
Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
GeForce GTX 770
AMD FX-8350 w/ stock fan
G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series (4 x 4GB)
Cooler Master i700 - 700W Power Supply with 80 PLUS Bronze Certification
Samsung 840 Pro Series SSD
WD 2TB Hard Drive
Cooler Master HAF X Blue Edition Case
2 27" BenQ Screens

When I power on the computer the CPU error light as well as the green Motherboard LED light and all of the fans on the case, GPU, and CPU turn on. As well as this, I hear the beep codes for "Hardware Component Failure". At this point the computer will not turn off unless I unplug the power or use the switch on the PSU.

I went through the troubleshoot guide on this forum.
I checked, cleaned, dusted, and correctly re-seated every hardware component.
I updated the Bios using Flashback
I made sure every power and data connection was secure
I cleared the CMOS and re-seated the battery
I used "Mem-ok"
I tried every RAM configuration
I cleaned CPU with Isopropyl Alcohol and re-applied thermal paste

1. I clean the fans regularly and maintain it well
2. There was not a power outage to cause a short
3. With the exception of a month ago when I replaced a Hyper 212 Evo fan that had a loose fan with the CPU stock fan I have not recently adjusted any hardware
4. I turn off my computer every night
5. I Always run my computer at the lowest possible settings (power savings mode) because I do not need the extra performance
6. The night before it stopped working there were no performance issues, no fan issues, and it was running cool as ice, as usual

The only potential Issue I have seen was that when I went to clean the (non electrically conductive) thermal paste from the CPU I noticed that, somehow, some of the thermal paste had gotten onto 4 CPU Pins, and by extension, the motherboard socket. I tediously and lovingly cleaned the pins and socket with Isopropyl Alcohol and a soft toothbrush and q-tips and allowed it to completely dry before trying to start up again; but to no avail. (It should be noted that no pins were bent)

Is my CPU really broken? Could it be the motherboard? Unfortunately, I do not have the extra hardware to swap out parts and test. I am shocked that this happened because there was seemingly no cause and the CPU should outlast most other components. I put in for warranty requests on the motherboard and CPU just in case. If either was broken, would the manufacturers warranty cover the damage? Tomorrow I am going to Micro Center to buy a new processor to see if that fixes it. I will update then, thanks for any and all input or suggestions! :D