Troubleshooting Display Issues After CPU Repasting: A Personal Experience

Hello fellow tech enthusiasts,

I recently acquired a used desktop computer and decided it was time to enhance its performance with a fresh layer of thermal paste on the CPU. This seemed like a straightforward task. However, during the process, I encountered a significant setback.

While attempting to remove the cooler, I inadvertently pulled the CPU out of its socket. Unfortunately, this mishap led to damage on two of the pins. After carefully bending them back into place, I reassembled everything and powered up the system—but to my dismay, the monitor remained black with no display.

Here’s a brief rundown of my setup for context:

• Motherboard: MSI A320M-A PRO
• Socket Type: AM4
• Chipset: A320
• Form Factor: Micro-ATX

• RAM Capacity: Supports 2 Slots, DDR4

• CPU: Ryzen 5 3600 featuring the standard cooler.

Given this situation, I’m left wondering if the CPU is damaged beyond repair. Has anyone else faced a similar ordeal? Any insights or suggestions for troubleshooting this issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from the community.