[SOLVED] A possible accident in 2018 that might have caused cpu to die prematurely?

[Danaima]

Back in 2018, my computer had a problem of black screening all of a sudden frequently despite I updated the graphic drivers and everything. After reading some online articles I resorted to taking out the RAM to attempt to reseat them again hoping it will solve the issue. However I was extremely bad at electronics then and couldn't manage to slot one of it in for 3 hours, and throughout that 3 hours, my PC just keeps making beeps and doesn't boot due to the one misaligned RAM stick and I have to turn it on and off more than 10+ times just to get it right. I was so frustrated that I turn the beeping PC off via from the surge protector it was plugged to instead of the power button or the psu back switch, pluck out the RAM and put it back in again, then turn on to see it will boot once more. My friend later told me not to do that and I should turn it off using the switch on the back of the PSU or hold the power button instead to avoid accidental power surges... Eventually I managed to put it in and my computer could boot again. Everything was fine afterwards, the black screen issue still persisted once in a while but I just endured it.

Flash to 2 years later, this happened to me:, https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...ns-very-intermittently.3641097/#post-22035750
Where my computer couldn't start up or will randomly shuts off on its own. I sent it for a diagnosis and turns out out of all the components, the CPU was faulty despite being used for 3.5 years and never has been through overheating/over clocking.

I got my mobo and CPU replaced by my friend afterwards but still using the same PSU as it is still working correctly and don't have enough budget to change it out.
My pc is alright now and the black screen issue never seemed to happen again, until the one time when I closed a Web browser and it black screened for 1 second. I have grown a sense of anxiety whenever I am using my Pc and these very small things would make me panic...

I was always thinking if my dumb reckless actions with the surge protector in 2018 might have caused my CPU to die prematurely like it might have gotten a sudden surge and stuff and hence just slowly died off... Should I be replacing my PSU just in case those same actions might have ruined it in some way?
(I also wondered if me inplace upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 might have killed the CPU but according to many people I asked they said an OS won't be able to kill hardware and at most only the drivers crash, which did not happen to me)

2018-2020 Computer specs:
Windows 10 64 bit
Cpu: Intel core i7 6700 @ 3.40GHz skylake 14mm Technology
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Technology Co Ltd H170M-D3H-CF
Gpu: 2047MB NVDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
PSU: a FSP 650w model

 

[Sohom]

ok, so first try a few things :

1. Run intel diagnostic test using Intel processor diagnostic utility... u can download it from intel
2. whats the 2047MB u mentioned in the gpu spec?
3. what cooler r u using?
4. get a new surge protector, 3.5 years is too long time..
5. whats ur PSU model?
6. change the hdmi cable...
7. check whether any live voltage is leaking into the components... Also make sure everything is grounded...
8. never ever change or reseat components when the power is \on, power off everything before even touching the chasis... Also beware of ststic electricity while working on pc components
9. Run a cpu gpu intensive test for 10 mins and check the temps and see if error presents or shuts down... AIDA64 extreme will do... Dont try prime95 without a good cooler

 

[Danaima]

ok, so first try a few things :

1. Run intel diagnostic test using Intel processor diagnostic utility... u can download it from intel
2. whats the 2047MB u mentioned in the gpu spec?
3. what cooler r u using?
4. get a new surge protector, 3.5 years is too long time..
5. whats ur PSU model?
6. change the hdmi cable...
7. check whether any live voltage is leaking into the components... Also make sure everything is grounded...
8. never ever change or reseat components when the power is \on, power off everything before even touching the chasis... Also beware of ststic electricity while working on pc components
9. Run a cpu gpu intensive test for 10 mins and check the temps and see if error presents or shuts down... AIDA64 extreme will do... Dont try prime95 without a good cooler

1. I dl'd the utility and ran a test on my old cpu before, it crashed my pc while it was testing math
2. I have no idea
3. Back then it was the small default Intel cooler that came with the 17 6700 cpu. Now I upgraded to an aftermarket cooler and AMD ryzen 5 3600x
4. I will look into it one day! It is still working okay

5.no sure what is exact model but it is FSP brand and 650w

 

[Sohom]

5.no sure what is exact model but it is FSP brand and 650w

Ok, the first thing u should do is purchase a good branded PSU before going ahead with anything...
Get something branded and decent.

 

[SamirD]

No, I don't think using the surge protector would have hurt. In fact, because you were properly cutting all power to the computer when messing with the ram, you probably prevented any further issues. Sounds like your cpu might have been defective from day one and they do have a warranty so it is important to diagnose problems while components are new to take advantage of the warranty. I think you've learned a lot from the experience, so just keep it all in mind.