Bios won't detect GPU anymore

[KingGio]

I was preparing to overclock my i5 3570k to something like 4,5 Ghz.
In preperation I removed my zalman 3 fan aircooler and saw a mess of thermal compound, the previous owner had applied way too much. I cleaned it up, applied new one, and set everything back together.

Now all of a sudden my BIOS doesnt detect my GPU anymore and I am really out of options

Specs:
RX480
i5 3570k
700W coolermaster
AsRock Z77 extreme 4
8gb lp corsair ram

What I've already tried is the following:

1. Different PCI-e slots, nothing
2. BIOS to iGPU -> CCleaner and remove drivers -> reboot -> BIOS to PCI-e -> reboot nothing
3. Older drivers, nothing
4. BIOS update (already latest), Nothing...

I'm pretty desperate at this point, can someone help me please?

Kind regards

Gio

 

[PC-4LIFE]

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

 

[KingGio]

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

Yeah forgot to mention sorry, fans spin, leds shine, everything is properly connected.

I do have a small idea of what may have caused it, but I'm not familiar with this in any way, so correct me if im wrong.
The PCIE lanes for the x8/x16 slots are provided directly by the CPU. If the slots mysteriously stop working, it could be a CPU-related issue. Maybe I have not cleaned it as good as I thought (had no alcohol 90%+ in da house), and some of it remained on the pins? there went a lil bit of grease on the connector side, but I wiped it as clean as I could with quality q-tips. in the bright lights I did however still saw a little stain.

My plan is to go to the store and buy some alcohol tomorrow and clean it up after. BUT, if this is the case, is damage already done or should it work again after i've cleaned the pin surface?

 

[PC-4LIFE]

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

Yeah forgot to mention sorry, fans spin, leds shine, everything is properly connected.

I do have a small idea of what may have caused it, but I'm not familiar with this in any way, so correct me if im wrong.
The PCIE lanes for the x8/x16 slots are provided directly by the CPU. If the slots mysteriously stop working, it could be a CPU-related issue. Maybe I have not cleaned it as good as I thought (had no alcohol 90%+ in da house), and some of it remained on the pins? there went a lil bit of grease on the connector side, but I wiped it as clean as I could with quality q-tips. in the bright lights I did however still saw a little stain.

My plan is to go to the store and buy some alcohol tomorrow and clean it up after. BUT, if this is the case, is damage already done or should it work again after i've cleaned the pin surface?

What do you mean some of it remained on the PINS? There was thermal paste on the CPU pins/socket?

 

[KingGio]

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

Yeah forgot to mention sorry, fans spin, leds shine, everything is properly connected.

I do have a small idea of what may have caused it, but I'm not familiar with this in any way, so correct me if im wrong.
The PCIE lanes for the x8/x16 slots are provided directly by the CPU. If the slots mysteriously stop working, it could be a CPU-related issue. Maybe I have not cleaned it as good as I thought (had no alcohol 90%+ in da house), and some of it remained on the pins? there went a lil bit of grease on the connector side, but I wiped it as clean as I could with quality q-tips. in the bright lights I did however still saw a little stain.

My plan is to go to the store and buy some alcohol tomorrow and clean it up after. BUT, if this is the case, is damage already done or should it work again after i've cleaned the pin surface?

What do you mean some of it remained on the PINS? There was thermal paste on the CPU pins/socket?

Yes it got in the connector part of the cpu, a little hairline of thermal resin, I rubbed it of with a q tip trying not to spread it out but pick it up in a roling motion. Could this be the issue and if so would that mean permanent damage?

 

[PC-4LIFE]

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

If that GPU has an extra power cable make sure it's properly inserted in the GPU and power supply.
Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot.

Do the fans spin on the GPU? Any LED's?

Yeah forgot to mention sorry, fans spin, leds shine, everything is properly connected.

I do have a small idea of what may have caused it, but I'm not familiar with this in any way, so correct me if im wrong.
The PCIE lanes for the x8/x16 slots are provided directly by the CPU. If the slots mysteriously stop working, it could be a CPU-related issue. Maybe I have not cleaned it as good as I thought (had no alcohol 90%+ in da house), and some of it remained on the pins? there went a lil bit of grease on the connector side, but I wiped it as clean as I could with quality q-tips. in the bright lights I did however still saw a little stain.

My plan is to go to the store and buy some alcohol tomorrow and clean it up after. BUT, if this is the case, is damage already done or should it work again after i've cleaned the pin surface?

What do you mean some of it remained on the PINS? There was thermal paste on the CPU pins/socket?

Yes it got in the connector part of the cpu, a little hairline of thermal resin, I rubbed it of with a q tip trying not to spread it out but pick it up in a roling motion. Could this be the issue and if so would that mean permanent damage?

if you can get it ALL out and straighten any possibly bent pins from cleaning, it will work fine.

 

[KingGio]

Got it up and running, some 96% alcohol did the trick, ALWAYS clean your CPU guys. Lessons learned