Slightly bent CPU can cause less RAM and BIOS hang FX 8320

[VAM23]

Hi, the other day I was installing a new Corsair H75 cooling system and when trying to remove the stock AMD heatsink it got stuck to the CPU so I pulled it out by force 🙁 I had no idea the CPU could come out with it.

Anyways, the CPU had like 4 bent pins. Then I guess I put it back wrong because it didn't sit well in the socket. I thought the socket holes would straighten the pins. I mounted the cooling system and tried to turn it on. Nothing happened. Then I opened it all and saw that the CPU had more pins bent this time, not many, but a few more. So I straightened them as much as possible with a needle and a credit card, and it all worked fine.

Then a couple of days later I noticed that Windows says I have 16Gb of RAM installed but only 7,99Gb are usable!!! I started looking all the forums for how to fix this. Finally I saw a few posts talking about bent pins and accessing the BIOS to check voltages etc...

So I tried accessing the BIOS, but the whole system hangs when opening the BIOS. I tried updating the BIOS with the Gigabyte tool, after doing some processes it said it was updated, but I still cannot access the BIOS.

I've tried all possible combinations for the RAM slots, nothing works. Moreover, when trying 1 module alone in slot 1, the system doesn't work, it just gets stuck at a black screen when turning on.

All in all, I've tried straightening the CPU pins a few more times, but I'm very afraid of bending the rest or breaking one, so I'm pretty sure I should buy a new CPU.

My questions are:

1. Is there any chance that the mobo has issues too?

2. How can I know if I need a new mobo too? Any "cheap and easy" way to find that out?

3. Also is there any "cheap and easy" way to know whether is the CPU and/or the Mobo that have the problem?

Because I wouldn't want to buy a new CPU and find out that I still have the same problem.

The whole system is only 1 year old and had no problems at all until now.

Here's the system:

• 
  Windows 7 Ulitimate 64bits
  Motherboard Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P rev1.0
  CPU AMD FX 8320
  RAM Patriot Viper 3 16Gb (2x8Gb) DDR3-1866MHz PC3-15000
  GPU Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 960 GV-N960G1 GAMING-2GD
  PSU Seasonic G-650W

Thanks in advance for any and all replies

 

[CountMike]

Are you sure you are not missing a pin on the processor ? Find a picture from exact processor and compare.

 

[VAM23]

Are you sure you are not missing a pin on the processor ? Find a picture from exact processor and compare.

I don't think so, it all looks fine. But thanks for the idea, I will check it when I replace the CPU. Would the system even work if there was a missing pin? I'm using this computer with no problems (other than the half RAM only being usable and inaccessible BIOS)

 

[CountMike]

Yes it can work at least partially and those symptoms are also a sign that it may be the case. Actually in some cases there are pins that do nothing but are there just to stop you to put wrong processor in wrong socket. If by any chance you find that a pin is missing, check socket REALY GOOD, it may be stuck in the socket and if you attempt to install new processor it can ruin it too. Already run into few cases like that.
Chewing gum like TIM they put on some factory coolers can get really hard and glue cooler and processor together and pulling it off can be real pain in you know what.

 

[VAM23]

Yes it can work at least partially and those symptoms are also a sign that it may be the case. Actually in some cases there are pins that do nothing but are there just to stop you to put wrong processor in wrong socket. If by any chance you find that a pin is missing, check socket REALY GOOD, it may be stuck in the socket and if you attempt to install new processor it can ruin it too. Already run into few cases like that.
Chewing gum like TIM they put on some factory coolers can get really hard and glue cooler and processor together and pulling it off can be real pain in you know what.

Thanks, I had no idea that could actually happen. I will look at the socket carefully for sure. Any advice on how to make sure the socket is clean?

 

[CountMike]

Good magnifying glass, if you find or not turn MB upside down with open latch and gently rap back side of socket with fingers and all of that above white paper, should fall out.

 

[VAM23]

Good magnifying glass, if you find or not turn MB upside down with open latch and gently rap back side of socket with fingers and all of that above white paper, should fall out.

Thanks, I just did that, nothing came out and the CPU pins look fine, just very slightly bent. Then I've just installed the new CPU and I still have the same issues with the RAM and BIOS 🙁 so I'm guessing it's a Motherboard issue 🙁 I'm going to unplug and replug everything from the motherboard and try again, but I'm very sad and disappointed. I'll probably have to get a new mobo. Any advices?

 

[VAM23]

Ok, I've been playing with the plugs on the motherboard, and then I tried the RAM modules one by one. I'm very happy to say that now I can successfully access the BIOS. So I could set the RAM speeds at 1866MHz and I can keep accessing the BIOS with no problems anymore. However Windows still says I have 16Gb installed and 7,96Gb usable 🙁 I will keep looking around for solutions.

 

[VAM23]

FIXED IT!!! So at the end it was the cheap old USB hub I had, I never thought it could cause so much trouble all of a sudden, it never did before. Everytime I connect this USB hub I cannot access the BIOS and the system becomes unstable. I guess the CPU with very slightly bent pins was also to blame. I couldn't find any broken pins though. And I also moved the RAM modules again, this time I realized that the correct order is counter intuitive to what they've written in this motherboard, (thanks to being able to access the BIOS) so now I'm using dual channel and Windows allows me to use the entire 16Gb of RAM at 1866MHz!!!
Anyways, thanks a lot for your help CountMike. Cheers.

 

[CountMike]

Oh good, happy for you !! Just remember, when troubleshooting connect only minimal number of components, practically any component can cause troubles at unexpected places.