Rest of specs?
CPU-
Motherboard-
Ram-
GPU-
PSU-
Thermal paste shouldnt cause shorts around socket since if there are no caps or small chips it wont harm anyting, except it went under the socket, which is really, really painfull to get out, but I can suggest what I've done to my Asus Maximus which I got from the dead.
(Just an proof)->https://ibb.co/gaoUg9
https://ibb.co/c0N9eU
Have you tried other PCIE slot for GPU or other ram slot?