There was an issue with overclocking. Please seek guidance.
There was an issue with overclocking. Please seek guidance.
I received a used MSI motherboard and CPU at a reasonable price. The seller mentioned an overclock profile in BIOS, but I needed a stronger cooler for optimal performance. I purchased a Kraken X62 or similar. Before fitting it into the case, I had to bring some water inside since it was hot outside and accidentally spilled some on the motherboard when the PC stood up. Then I placed the PC next to the cooling fan that kept me cool during the heat, and left it there for 3-4 hours. After installing the cooler and turning the PC on, a friend suggested downloading HWMonitor and Prime95 to check temperatures and system performance. During the test, I observed temperatures reaching around 89°C, but the screen froze afterward. My friend pointed out the small status display on the motherboard, which was showing values between 44-47. After a restart, the numbers screen displayed "0 0." They advised me to remove the board and replace the small battery. What should I do next?
What CPU and motherboard were you using? Which sections of the motherboard absorbed the water spillage? The Prime 95 model demands significant processing power; instability during overclocking suggests the overclock isn't reliable.
It was around a 5820k or similar, with an MSI MPower unit. The board appeared damp at first, but after some time it dried out. The temperature was roughly 26°C to 79°F during the event yesterday.
Ensure the motherboard is removed from its case to check for any shorts on the back. Consider testing the system inside a box—use an anti-static bag only if necessary, and never place the motherboard directly on top of it. Reviewing forums may reveal solutions for code 00. Inspect the CPU socket area and upper board sections for burnt spots or missing SMDS, as well as any surface-mounted components. Try booting with matching RAM modules, ideally just one, until the system starts in DIMM1.
I examined the board carefully, unsure about the signs, but there were no burns, water, or anything unusual on the board, CPU, or the connector where the CPU is placed.
I can help with that. SMDS are similar to capacitors, resistors, and ICs—like capacitors, resistors, and chips. The bottom side of the CPU appears standard, and the "pin thingy" you mentioned is the CPU socket, which is also typical. Please take some clear photos of the gold pads on the CPU, the CPU socket, the motherboard’s upper section, and the back of the board.
Everything seems normal so far. The VRM heatsink should already be in place and highlighted. Regarding the lighting, it’s hard to judge without more context—please describe what you see.
I removed the heatsink to capture the clearest shots, probably because of the thermal paste spot.
Removing the tiny battery, known as a CMOS battery, likely reset the system, erasing BIOS data and switching to standard settings.